"My aim is to help our learners speak Welsh every day"

Joshua Wheeler has been working as a Learners’ Support Officer with Learn Welsh Gwent – run by Coleg Gwent on behalf of the National Centre for Learning Welsh - since May 2022 and loves his work.

Josh is originally from Aberystwyth, but now lives in Cardiff.

We had a word with Josh to learn more about the work he’s doing in Gwent to support people who are learning Welsh.

What attracted you to work in the Learn Welsh sector?

I knew I wanted a job that helped the Welsh language to flourish and since leaving university in 2016, I’ve been lucky to work for organisations involved with the Welsh language.

When the opportunity came in 2022 to work with the amazing team at Learn Welsh Gwent, I jumped at the chance and I want to do my best to help our learners in Gwent (and Wales!) to speak Welsh day-to-day.

What kind of clubs are there to support learners in Gwent?

There are several clubs to support new Welsh speakers and local people in Gwent.

The purpose of the clubs is to give individuals the opportunity to chat and listen to the Welsh language in an informal setting outside the classroom.

There are weekly clubs such as ‘Siawns am Sgwrs’ chat sessions, held face-to-face in Abergavenny on Mondays, and on Zoom at Entry, Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced levels.  There are also monthly clubs that meet in all corners of Gwent - in Bargoed, Abergavenny, Newport, Ystrad Mynach, Ebbw Vale and Tredegar.

We also hold events such as the Christmas party, music gigs, guest speaker sessions and visits throughout the year.  So, there’s something for everyone.

Who attends these sessions?

Many of the attendees are learning Welsh with us, but there are also many local Welsh speakers from Gwent who join because they want to see the Welsh language flourish.

We also get people of all ages joining which is great.  Everyone is welcome!

Why are clubs and events like this important?

Attending clubs or events is very important to strengthen Welsh language skills.  It gives learners the opportunity to speak informally, and practise what they’ve learned in class in an everyday situation, bringing the Welsh language to life.

Offering opportunities to use the Welsh language is very important, and our aim, which is extremely important, is to create active speakers who use their Welsh as much as possible. 

The clubs also give learners the opportunity to make new friends, improve communication skills and take part in a new activity. 

What’s being planned to support learners in 2025?

We’re looking to hold even more events during 2025!

We’ll organise occasional events such as a comedy night, a trip to the Eisteddfod in Wrexham and a St David's Day Dinner.

We’re always on the look-out for different activities, and if anyone has ideas about regular clubs they’d like to see in Gwent, please share them with me!  Joshua.Wheeler@coleggwent.ac.uk