National Centre for Learning Welsh proud to support the Inspire! Awards

Picture caption: Foo Seng Thean, winner of the New Welsh Speaker Award

It’s an exciting time, as more and more people enjoy learning Welsh with the National Centre for Learning Welsh – the specialist body that leads the Learn Welsh sector in Wales.

During the 2023–2024 academic year, 18,330 people completed our courses – a 45% increase compared to the first official data published for 2017–2018, when the figure stood at 12,700.

This growth reflects the expansion in the Centre’s work. In addition to 1,500 courses held each year in communities across Wales – both in-person and online – there are tailored programmes for families, young people, the education workforce, the sports sector, and health and care services, among others.

This forms part of the wider strategy to ensure the Welsh language belongs to us all, and that everyone is welcome to enjoy learning and speaking it.

At the heart of our work is the Centre’s language expertise and our successful learning model, which provides one clear, pathway to becoming a Welsh speaker.

Our learners and new speakers praise their courses and tutors, and embrace every opportunity to use their Welsh in a wide range of informal learning activities that enrich their learning journey.

Gaining a new skill builds confidence, and opens the door on all sorts of exciting opportunities – from making new friends, to career options, to engaging with the local community.

The Centre is proud to support the Inspire! Awards, which celebrate the achievements of adults from all backgrounds who have followed their own unique learning journeys – often gaining life-changing experiences along the way.

Llongyfarchiadau - Congratulations to all the nominees and winners.

Dona Lewis, Chief Executive of the National Centre for Learning Welsh