A librarian from Mountain Ash loves using the Welsh language in her everyday life after first starting to learn the language seven years’ ago.
Julia Ziomek, originally from Cwmbran, has always enjoyed languages and learned French and German in school, and Spanish as an adult. However, unlike those languages, Julia says she doesn’t have to travel far to use her own language, Welsh.
Julia has worked at Mountain Ash library for almost 30 years, and speaks the language with local people, groups and schoolchildren who use the library’s services.
Julia enjoys Welsh language music and has been busy over the past year attending different local fund-raising events in aid of the Rhondda Cynon Taf National Eisteddfod. Julia has also contributed articles to her local Welsh language community newspaper, Clochdar.
Julia started learning Welsh after Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council encouraged staff to use more Welsh in the workplace. Julia followed an online taster course and started using languages ap, Duolingo. She then joined a class at Mountain Ash YMAC run by the University of South Wales on behalf of the National Centre for Learning Welsh.
Julia was born with ‘Treacher-Collins’, a condition that affects her hearing. She uses a specialist hearing aid called BAHA (Bone Anchored Hearing Aid), which is attached to her skull and picks up sound and sends it to her inner ear.
Reading has been an important way for Julia to strengthen her Welsh language skills, and she’s enjoyed the series of books for Welsh learners, ‘Amdani’, with the ‘Blodwen Jones’ novels by Bethan Gwanas among her favourites.
Julia said: “I’m very happy in my work, no two days are the same. Many courses are held here, which bring more and more people into the library, and we’re in a good position on the main road in Mountain Ash.
“Learning Welsh has opened the door on Welsh language books and music, and I’ve made new friends. I enjoy speaking the language with new people and loved visiting the National Eisteddfod in Pontypridd.
“I’m also looking forward to starting my ‘Uwch/Advanced’ course before long, and encourage anyone thinking about learning Welsh to go for it!”
Dona Lewis, Chief Executive of the National Centre for Learning Welsh, added: “I’d like to congratulate Julia on her language journey – it’s fantastic to hear she enjoys her courses and has the opportunity to use the language in her everyday life in Mountain Ash.
“New Learn Welsh courses have recently started across Wales, available in face-to-face settings and in virtual classrooms. Everyone is welcome to learn Welsh with the Centre, and all the courses and information can be found on our website, www.learnwelsh.cymru.”
