Ask Jenny Volkmer

Jenny lives in Germany, and learns Welsh online with Learn Welsh Swansea Bay Region.  Jenny started learning Welsh three years ago, after spending a year living in Wales.  Here, we learn more about Jenny's language journey, and she shares her advice to others who’d like to learn Welsh…

Why did you start learning Welsh?
I lived in Wales for a year.  I wanted to live in another country for a while, and write.  I believe that learning the language spoken where you live is very important.  Also, I couldn’t pronounce the names of the towns correctly without learning Welsh.

What do you enjoy most about learning Welsh?
I enjoy the company of the other learners in my class.  I also enjoy practising Welsh by reading books, listening to podcasts or watching TV programmes.

What advice do you have for other learners?
Keep going!  Talk to yourself in Welsh, for example, while driving the car or cooking.  If you come across a word you don’t know, then learn it.

How would you encourage others to learn Welsh?
Say that learning Welsh is a lot of fun!  And that Welsh speakers are always happy to talk to you.

What are your interests?
I like reading, playing the piano, sewing, writing and learning languages.  I also enjoy being in nature while walking, cycling, and running.

How has your life changed since learning Welsh?
I see the world with different eyes.  I notice Welsh words in novels, in names and so on.

Do you have any friends or family members who speak Welsh?
I don’t have any family members who speak Welsh.  But thanks to the Welsh class, I now have friends who speak Welsh.

What is your favourite Welsh word?
Calon (heart) – it sounds lovely, and I like the meaning.  

What is the next step on your language journey?
I need to learn more, and improve my vocabulary and grammar – than I’d like to write stories in Welsh.