There are no barriers to language learning for people of all ages as STEVEN PRINCE joins a welsh language class ahead of the start of the summer schools in July.

IN my opinion, the ability to speak an additional language is such an important aspect of my life, having spent four years at university mastering German and Spanish.

No matter how hard someone can try to, trying to avoid Welsh in day-to-day life is quite a difficult task, partly because all signs and official documents are bilingual.

While some may say that I have wasted my student fees on two subjects which I do not use on a daily basis, in my experience, holidays in the German and Spanish speaking worlds run much more smoothly as a result and employers are equally impressed by the ability to speak a second, or third, language.

At locations across the region, Coleg Gwent works in partnership with the local authorities to offer Welsh language tuition to anyone aged 18 or over.

I joined a class taking part at the Power Station in Cwmbran, sitting in on a classroom with six language learners who are almost at the end of their first year of learning Welsh.

Under the tuition of Stuart Imm, who learnt Welsh in his fifties, the Mynediad 1 group – Helen Brewer, Roger Brewis, Mike Gorell, David Mapp, Lyn Llewellyn and Jeanette Williams - were learning about the construction of the past tense.

“I can remember being in their position, having learnt Welsh in my fifties and for this group in particular, they appear to be getting to grips with it,” said the tutor.

Mr Imm then explained his own personal reason for picking up a new language.

“I went to a business conference in France which was a week long and carried out entirely in the medium of English, which to the French was no problem at all,” he said.

“I came back and felt very ashamed that I could only speak one language and despite living in Wales, I could not speak Welsh.

“I can’t explain how I took to the language so well. I don’t know what the secret is but after four years, I was in a position to teach Welsh.”

In the class, the six students bounce off one another, acting out the actions of the verbs and asking each other questions relating to the subject matter of the class.

Any mistakes made from the group are simply laughed off, which creates an environment most suitable for language learning – free from embarrassment.

“What’s great in my view about this course is that I do not see a group week in week out. When I teach in the community, I see the same people on a daily basis,” said the tutor.

“But with the weekend and summer schools, I see them far less frequently – perhaps every month or so.

“In that time, I can see the progression that they have made. Sometimes the learners do not think they are grasping the language but as the instructor, I can see that they are moving ahead,” said Mr Imm.

The students within the group, which is just one of a number of classes taking place at the Power Station, based on proficiency of the language, all have a variety of reasons from learning Welsh.

“I’ve always been interested in learning Welsh but due to work, I’ve never had the opportunity to actually learn the subject. Now I’ve retired, I have the time to do the learning,” said Abergavenny resident Mr Gorell.

“Obviously you have your starting point and your aspirations which you want to work towards. In my case, I have the time now to attempt to meet those language aspirations which I didn’t have before.

“The ability to be able to communicate as a result of making progress and to have the confidence to be able communicate within the language in a better way than before,” added Mr Gorell.

Lowri Morgan, who works within the partnership between Coleg Gwent and the local authorities explains the reasons why different students turn to Welsh as adults.

“Most of the instructors have learnt Welsh as adults themselves for various reasons. One of the teachers learnt when her children were attending a Welsh school at primary level and she has become one of our regular tutors,” she said.

“It does suggest that there are no age barriers to language learning as it seems that some people assume that it is better for children to learn and adults cannot.

“There are a range of activities including informal events outside of the classroom including coffee mornings and trips to various locations throughout the year. There’s a range of opportunities on offer,” added Ms Morgan.

“But when someone is not in full time education or has left school, the idea often is that the chance to learn a language has gone.”

She added that the weekend sessions and summer schools offer language learners an opportunity to practice their skills, particularly in conversation.

“These sessions are really important as they offer extra lessons on top of the weekly classes that the learners attend. They act as a revision function or an extra opportunity to improve,” she said.

“Most of the learners do not have a regular opportunity to converse in Welsh outside of the classroom so these sessions have a practical use for that purpose.

“Our summer school will be taking place at our Pontypool campus at Coleg Gwent which takes place at the end of July. And obviously we have the Eisteddfod happening in Abergavenny this summer too.” said Ms Morgan.

“That’s the final chance for this academic year before it all goes back to the beginning in September, open for anyone over the age of 18 to attend.”

The idea of learning Welsh is an interesting concept, and having had one ‘lesson’ in it, albeit at a level far advanced beyond my current level, it is something which I would consider pursuing.

For more information on Welsh language learning in Gwent for those aged over 18 and the summer schools for people of all abilities, visit coleggwent.ac.uk