Dw iān dysgu Cymraeg yn y Wrecsam. Iām studying the Bangor University Wlpan course (North Wales Welsh).
Iāve reached the point now where I need āto use or lose itā, essentially I need to start speaking with people in Welsh. Iāve been plucking up the courage for some time now, I work in Flintshire and there are plenty of native Welsh speakers at work but I also need to converse with others that understand the learning curve (if you can understand that).
The course isnāt big enough to converse with others so I was wondering if anyone on SSiW was open to a chat (Skype or similar) every now and then, especially as there is now a two week break for me in studying for Easter.
I do have something to offer in return. Iāve started to blog my experience in learning Welsh http://www.newwelshlearner.blogspot.co.uk/ and on that site is an export from some flash cards Iāve developed. Anyone is free to download them to use with the Anki Flashcard Software and App (there are media files so I wouldnāt advise to use on phones but tablets will be fine). Be warned, my pronunciation is poor and there is the odd error but Iāve found the process of creating and then using flash cards very helpful as I start to progress into the language.
Canāt recommend ssiw enough to learn to converse quickly. I live in flintshire happy arrange meet for chat or Skype. I too am learner if 18 months done pellach doing Uwch but sympathetic to learning curve!!! can let you know also what chat groups are around. DSL ati
You might not know about y Saith Seren yet, itās a pub in the middle of Wrecsam (the old Seven Stars) that puts a lot of Welsh stuff on though the week. Thereās a completely informal get together of learners on a Monday night from about 7 onwards, just turn up and you will be welcomed with open arms. Iām usually there so I can vouch for it, it really is just a group of people having a chat (mostly) in Welsh.
I was about to suggest Anki at some point earlier but didnāt dare to. Itās magnificent helping hand. Bravo!
Iāve done some flash cards too but am not too satisfied with some outcome of them. Are you very keen to Anki? Iād have at least 1 question to ask however I use PC version which is slightly āreacherā then ap.
But, to stay on topic - no Iām not opened to chat, sorry, Iām time eater so I decided not to do this practice anymore.
You needed not email them mate, I go most Monday nights and can tell you first hand that there is no such thing as out of your depth. There are a couple of first language Welsh speakers and then learners from all levels from being able to chat freely to only being there to listen and try to absorb the odd word. No matter your level, come along anyway.
Maeār syniad o gyfarfod wythnosol yn gwych Yn anffoddus, dw iān byw yn Wigan sydd mwy na 50 milltir o Wrecsam. Ond maeār cyfarfod SSiW Manceinion dim ond misol ar hyn o bryd a dw i eisiau cymryd pob cyfle i ymarfer siarad y Gymraeg. Efallai bydda iān gorfod teithio i Wrecsam!
The idea of a weekly meeting is great Unfortunately, Iām living in Wigan which is more than 50 miles from Wrexham. But the SSiW Manchester meeting is only monthly at the moment and I want to take every opportunity to practice speaking Welsh. Perhaps I will have to travel to Wrexham!
Thereās bound to be a weekly meeting closer than 50 miles, I think thereās a register somewhere showing the regular meetings, surely someone else will be along to post a link sometime soon.
The weekly email (see FAQ to register for it) has a list at the end of regular meetups, but I canāt see anything near Wigan. I did remember there being a Welsh Society up that way though, so I looked back through last yearās emails and found it -
http://welshclubpreston.org/ When they were in contact with me about an event they were holding they seemed a very friendly and enthusiastic group, so if you get in touch with them you should be able to arrange something.
Diolch i bawb am eich cynigion caredig a help.
Thanks to you all for your kind offers and help.
Gruntius - you will probably see me in Wrecsam sooner or later. I may not be able to justify travelling every week but I will have to visit the legendary Saith Seren at least a few times. Also being (even by a few miles) Yng NGymru addresses the Hiraeth in a way that ex-pat venues cannot completely satisfy.
Sandra, please feel free to PM me. But it may be a few days before I am free to Skype for any time, end of school term and all that. New group? The more the merrier. I would love to do a regular tour of as many groups as possible and immerse myself in the experience.
Dee, thanks for the pointer to Preston Welsh Club. I do recall Darren from the Preston club coming to the recent Manchester meeting and handing me a card with their contact details as well. Wigan is, wrth gwrs, about halfway between Manchester and Preston so it is good to visit both.
I went to the session at Saith Seren tonight and enjoyed it, thank you gruntius everyone was very accommodating and welcoming and it is most definitely the way to develop my use of Welsh. I look forward to going again next week
That does it then. I must try to come next week myself (still on, on Easter Monday??). I thought about going tonight but got tied down with family errands. What time does it finish? I need to make a strategic decision about whether train travel is feasible or whether I need to bring the car (and cut out the Cwrw!). Last realistic train to Wigan seems to be about 9pm.
People usually start gathering by about 7 and then start sloping away by 9 but Iām never the last to leave so I donāt know what time it usually fizzles out. Like Iāve said before itās not an official type thing so there is no schedule. Personally Iām usually there from about 7:15 to about 9:30.
Very nice to meet you last night Guy @Fawxes , hopefully see you again next week. I think Iāll be there again.
