Ask Liam

Originally from Llandrindod Wells in Mid Wales, Liam Williams now lives in Cardiff. He works as a Senior Public Health Practitioner for Hywel Dda University Health Board. Liam has learned Welsh and is following Confidence Building sessions organised by the National Centre for Learning Welsh.

We asked Liam about his work and his Welsh-language journey…

What inspired you to start learning Welsh?

I didn’t go to a Welsh language school, and after year 11, I forgot the little Welsh I did know. I had received emails through work about accessing free lessons and support, and one day I just decided to start.

Since starting, I’ve come to appreciate how special it is that the language still exists and how important it feels to me now to use it and keep it alive.

How are you learning Welsh at the moment? 

Primarily through ‘paned a sgwrs’ (cuppa and a chat) sessions, as well as through Duolingo and SaySomethinginWelsh. I also try to listen to Radio Cymru and watch S4C as much as possible.

What’s your role?

I’m a Senior Public Health Practitioner for Hywel Dda University Health Board. Public Health is all about preventing people getting unwell, so I work primarily with other partners across the health board to improve the population’s health through various initiatives and projects.

What do you enjoy most about learning Welsh?

The feeling of being able to understand and communicate in a different language, which I am able to use on a daily basis, is exciting and rewarding.

What would you say to someone thinking about learning Welsh?

As English speakers, I feel like we have a warped view about speaking more than one language. Speaking more than one language is the norm in many parts of the world and you don’t have to be fluent in Welsh to have conversations.

It doesn’t need to be massively time consuming, small amounts as often as possible has made it more manageable for me alongside other commitments.

What has been particularly beneficial for me is speaking Welsh as much as possible.  Although it can feel awkward at first, being able to speak and understand spoken Welsh is ultimately what many people want, and having the chance to practise often has helped me speak more confidently and has taken the pressure off.