Learning Welsh

[Wash DC Blue]

Re: Learning Welsh

I live abroad Mate, so it will have to be online.
My Mrs is American and has expressed an interest in learning so hopefully we can start to converse with each other.

I would also think that there are message boards out there for people learning.

It’s going to be my New Year’s resolution!

[TheBirchgrovePub]

Re: Learning Welsh

CanÂ’t remember the specific statistics but learning once past a relatively young age makes it numerous times harder.

Effort v Reward trade off seems fairly low all things considered

[pomeroy]

Re: Learning Welsh

I live abroad Mate, so it will have to be online.
My Mrs is American and has expressed an interest in learning so hopefully we can start to converse with each other.

I would also think that there are message boards out there for people learning.

It’s going to be my New Year’s resolution!

You could pop down to Gaiman,Patagonia once a week for the night classes! Seriously lots of stuff on YouTube. There is a strong Welsh society in Philadelphia, check em out!

[delmbox]

Re: Learning Welsh

Dualingo seems a great way to learn words but isn't much use unless you practice using those words.

This thread has some great options, they seemed to be based in the US as well (I think you can click on it even if you don't have an Facebook account0

https://www.facebook.com/groups/8576703359/posts/10162770994988360/

[xsnaggle]

Re: Learning Welsh

There is a language system called rosetta stone I think which is well rated, but I don't know of they do Welsh.

[Wash DC Blue]

Re: Learning Welsh

Some great ideas.
Thanks!!

[ToTaL ITK]

Re: Learning Welsh

wnes i erioed gael problem gyda hynny, a dweud y gwir.




dim ond dweud

[NYCBlue]

Re: Learning Welsh

I live abroad Mate, so it will have to be online.
My Mrs is American and has expressed an interest in learning so hopefully we can start to converse with each other.

I would also think that there are message boards out there for people learning.

It’s going to be my New Year’s resolution!

Can your Mrs say "Llanelli"? Mine can't. She can't even say dwr properly. She can speak French pretty well though. My daughter wants to learn German. I want her to learn Spanish, (which all take kids take up to a certain grade) spoken by over 500 million people worldwide and a language you can speak every day in the north east.

[Taunton Blue Genie]

Re: Learning Welsh

In one way, learning Welsh is more difficult than learning some other languages in that learners will never really be in a situation whereby their low-level command of the language is the sole means of communication with native speakers - whereas it's common for learners of French, Spanish, Italian and many other languages to be in situations whereby not all native speakers speak English and that the locals have no option but to wait for us to sweat over the simplest constructions.

[NinianKnight]

Re: Learning Welsh

I hope that it becomes easier for you and then natural.

For me, I remember what certain words mean but have no idea on how to put them into a sentence apart from things like “Wedi blinon lan” which I’m sure I spelled incorrectly lol.

I also recognize words if I’m watching football on S4C but can’t remember what they mean.

I think that having a semblance of the alphabet might help me with pronunciation but I’m really looking to start again from scratch.

I’d love it if I can and hope to make it a New Year’s resolution.

Best of luck with your journey!

I have exactly the same problem as you. Did duolingo for a year. Completed the 'course' 4 times at least. Each time got easier and I had more understanding of the syntax but it is bloody hard and I'm still nowhere near fluent. I can understand basic signs but like you struggle with commentary. Really need to spend more time with Welsh speakers. Glad to see your post as I have been meaning to take it up again and this is the nod I needed.

[Dorcus]

Re: Learning Welsh

Can your Mrs say "Llanelli"? Mine can't. She can't even say dwr properly. She can speak French pretty well though. My daughter wants to learn German. I want her to learn Spanish, (which all take kids take up to a certain grade) spoken by over 500 million people worldwide and a language you can speak every day in the north east.

I learnt it years ago and it's introduced me to some fantastic Spanish literature and culture. It's a vibrant language and it's beautiful.

[Wash DC Blue]

Re: Learning Welsh

Can your Mrs say "Llanelli"? Mine can't. She can't even say dwr properly. She can speak French pretty well though. My daughter wants to learn German. I want her to learn Spanish, (which all take kids take up to a certain grade) spoken by over 500 million people worldwide and a language you can speak every day in the north east.

She just managed with a little coaching 😆

[FormerlyJohnnyBreadhead]

Re: Learning Welsh

Duolingo is a great app (especially the paid version) but, as with any language learning tool, it shouldn't be used on its own.

Online lessons (whether group or 1 to 1) are the best way to start IMO. That way you'll learn the basic grammar rules, tenses, conjugations etc. and the most commonly used verbs, which will enable you to put sentences together and express yourself quite quickly.

Build your vocabulary as you go, too. Duolingo is quite useful for this but there are other resources out there to help with this.

Listening is likely to be the most difficult part, as you'll be getting minimal exposure to the language. If you can, watch/listen to S4C online for an hour a day and start by seeing how many words you can pick out. Read children's books with simple sentences if you can get hold of them too.

Language learning as an adult is a strange experience; you think you've hit a brick wall and then one day it just all clicks.

[Wash DC Blue]

Re: Learning Welsh

Duolingo is a great app (especially the paid version) but, as with any language learning tool, it shouldn't be used on its own.

Online lessons (whether group or 1 to 1) are the best way to start IMO. That way you'll learn the basic grammar rules, tenses, conjugations etc. and the most commonly used verbs, which will enable you to put sentences together and express yourself quite quickly.

Build your vocabulary as you go, too. Duolingo is quite useful for this but there are other resources out there to help with this.

Listening is likely to be the most difficult part, as you'll be getting minimal exposure to the language. If you can, watch/listen to S4C online for an hour a day and start by seeing how many words you can pick out. Read children's books with simple sentences if you can get hold of them too.

Language learning as an adult is a strange experience; you think you've hit a brick wall and then one day it just all clicks.

That’s good advice.
Thank you!

[stevo]

Re: Learning Welsh

Radio Cymru too if you can get it in the States. They speak nice and clear. Great for learners.