When I found SSIW years ago it was all free and now there are so many options. Two free courses, 6min a day andlonger lessons. But I notice you can also pay. I did start doing the free one months ago but I never seem to stick to it, finding time I guess…
My question is how much of a difference is it between all the different free/paid options? And which is best if you’re not sure how much time you can invest? (Random work hours)
Thanks.
Hi @jen . The challenges seem to be the same but there are more of them.
I’ve just finished the 6 months course which gives you weekly structure and further assignments to the challenges. Well worth it in my opinion. I am now doing the Deep End course week 1.
The best option will be the one you have time for, but I would say do it (Learn Welsh) as fast as possible as success will motivate you.
3 Likes
There is no ‘free’ course, some of the lessons are free to get you going but you always had to pay a subscribtion to go past a certain point and, I believe, you can still do it that way to get access to the lessons alone. There are now structured courses to give you a more rounded learning experience which include listening exercises, video sessions, etc. that would give you more guaranteed results. What would suit your life better?
3 Likes
Thanks for the help. Still undecided. I’m doing a writing course online at the moment so I might have to finish that first. Tempted to dive in with the free option and pay if I stick to it. Decision decision 
1 Like
Questions that might give you an extra hint to take your decision:
Do you prefer doing things your way, without anyone else telling you what to do?
Do you struggle with self-discipline (like finding motivation, planning activities by yourself, persevering)?
Would getting reminders and tips regularly in your e-mail help you or even be essential for you to keep on doing the course and finish it?
Do you prefer learning/working a little at a time (every day, every week)?
or in short intensive “chunks” (for example, one full week and then a long pause)?
The free lessons + subscription (after challenge 15 if I’m not wrong) gives you total freedom - which of course has pros and cons (as you seem to have noticed…)!
The structured courses have other pros and cons - but I didn’t do them so I can’t tell.
2 Likes
Thanks that’s very helpful. I suppose having goals and emails to keep me on track would be helpful. But also the flexibility to not worry if I’m a bit behind. So you did the short lessons? I find I’d rather do a chunk now and again but cant devote hours and hours when work is crazy
I actually did all three levels by now.
But without the structured courses: I tried one challenge/lesson. Then strategically planned to go on with all the other free ones during holidays - which worked great for me by the way, cause I had more time and brain resources available! So I could see a big change in a short time. And then proceeded with a subscription just fine.
In any case I know that the structured courses can be paused - so it’s really a matter of which type suits you better!
3 Likes
Thanks you’re very helpful I’m.going to stick with the free one and see how I get on. I should’ve done it before when there was an offer on.
2 Likes
I was lucky, accidental perfect timing to catch a very good offer when I subscribed!
However, since then I’ve seen more special offers going on. So if you get the newsletter, or follow SSiW on Twitter or Facebook or keep an eye on the forum I guess you can catch it next time!
2 Likes
Subscription is seeming like a good option at the moment because work hours are unpredictable. I’ve been doing a challenge a day for about a week though and I was thinking of doing the course. My only concern being that I may end up behind when my work hours go crazy. Is anyone else just subscribed and not signed up to the course?
Getting behind isn’t the end of the world, in case that happens you can talk to the organisers to get things sorted.
But a lot of people on here started learning before the structured courses became a thing (me included), so I can say from my own experience, that the method works if you go through the challenges in your own time.
The structured courses offer a more guided approach, with some extra activities and some online tutoring, which accelerate the learning, but you can just as well become a confident speaker by “just subscribing”.
Whichever you go for, just remember that you can come here and ask for help, and it will be gladly given. Pob lwc! (Good luck!)
4 Likes
Diolch.
2 Likes
update: so I’m near to the end of level one and I’ve just subscribed! I’ve taken the plunge, I didn’t want to subscribe until I was sure I’d stick with it this time. So I’ve done it and I’ve sent the email to join the Slack group. 
I need to practice more sentences out loud to myself when I can but I maybe listen to more radio. I have started watching Codi Parc on S4C. Onwards and upwards.
Just noticed when you subscribe Level One has more challenges so I’m not at the end level 14:joy:
6 Likes
You’re doing well there @jen!
There are 25 challenges in Level 1, and a further 25 in Level 2, so plenty to keep you going
2 Likes
Thanks. I love how supportive everyone is 
I’m enjoying the challenges even when they’re hard I feel motivated to keep going. Diolch.
2 Likes