Ask Jason

Jason Hu started learning Welsh at the beginning of the year, with Learn Welsh Swansea Bay Area, which is run by Swansea University on behalf of the National Centre for Learning Welsh.

What’s your background?

Shwmae!  I'm Jason, and I grew up in Greece.  I now live in Germany.

Why did you start learning Welsh?

I’m interested in languages, ​​and I wanted to learn Basque.  But, when I tried to buy a Basque dictionary, the book was from Wales.  So, while trying to get more information about the Welsh language, I started learning the language.

What was the biggest challenge when learning Welsh?

The biggest challenge for me was finding opportunities to speak Welsh while living abroad.

But I try to attend online Coffee Mornings and ‘Sadwrn Siarad’ Saturday workshops, and I enjoy being part of the Swansea Bay learners’ choir, when I have the time!  The books in the Amdani series are great for practising vocabulary.

It’s very important to talk, talk, talk when learning a language and listening to Radio Cymru and watching S4C programmes are also a great help.

What do you enjoy most about learning Welsh?

I enjoy the sense of community when learning Welsh.  The language itself is beautiful, but it’s the people who keep the language alive.  They also welcome learners from all over the world.

What would be your advice to someone who wants to start learning Welsh?

Go for it!  Learn Welsh courses have been wonderful for me, held by course providers in both South and North Wales, so I would say that is the best resource.

What’s the next step on your language journey?

I will continue with Learn Welsh courses.  I haven't been in Wales yet, so I'm really looking forward to my residential courses next year.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the journey so far!