Meet Claire Samuel

Claire Samuel is originally from Llanelli. Her family did not speak Welsh at home, and Claire attended English-medium schools.

Claire is now a teacher at Ysgol Glan-y-Môr, Burry Port, and is learning Welsh.

We had a chat with her at the Nant Gwrtheyrn language centre on the Llyn Peninsula, during a residential Entry-level Learn Welsh course for teachers.

Since when have you been learning Welsh?

I’ve always wanted to learn Welsh but I went to university in England and then I got a job teaching Art and Technology at an English-medium school in Swansea.

I moved to a new secondary school in Burry Port, Carmarthenshire to teach 10 months ago. The school encourages me and everyone else to speak more Welsh.

Who do you speak Welsh with at school?

At school, I try to start the lesson with a sentence in Welsh, such as 'pawb yn ddistaw' (quiet, everyone). I also have a friend at school who speaks Welsh with me every day. I also text the new friends I’ve made through the Learn Welsh course in Nant Gwrtheyrn in Welsh.

Have you enjoyed the course at Nant Gwrtheyrn?

Yes, the course is amazing. It has raised my confidence so, so much. I didn't have the confidence to speak Welsh before coming here, but now I’ve remembered many words and have made connections between words I’d forgotten. Everything I’ve learned over the years has come back to me at the Nant.

What is your aim with the Welsh language?

I hope that children who speak Welsh at school will be able to come to me and speak their first language. There are one or two who have started speaking Welsh with me at school, but I want more children to come to me and speak Welsh.

Residential courses for the education sector will take place in 2025. You can find more information on this page: Residential Courses for the Education Sector | Learn Welsh