Refugees get chance to learn Welsh for free

REFUGEES and asylum seekers will receive free Welsh lessons thanks to a new partnership between SaySomethinginWelsh and voluntary organisations.

The partnership between Adult Learning Wales, the Welsh Refugee Council, Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg – the Welsh Language Society – and the teaching firm SaySomethinginWelsh means refugees and asylum seekers who engage with the groups will receive the company’s lesson for free.

Under the memorandum of understanding between the groups, the organisations will pilot the new scheme for a year in order to test its effectiveness, with a limited number of refugees and asylum seekers able to receive the free lessons initially.

During the year-long pilot, up to 300 refugees will get the chance to learn Welsh for free with SaySomethinginWelsh.

Deborah McCarney, from SaySomethinginWelsh, said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to offer these lessons. We hope we can help people who have come from very difficult situations to join our community and participate in all aspects of Wales’ cultures. We look forward to welcoming the first people who will learn Welsh with us.”

Clare Grist, the bilingualism manager at Adult Learning Wales, said: “We welcome this new partnership and look forward to seeing our learners progress and participate in all aspects of our national languages, community and culture.”

The new offer of free Welsh lessons will be funded by the groups themselves – there is no direct financial support from the Welsh Government.