Camau

"Since increasing Welsh-medium early years childcare provision is essential to our aim of achieving a million speakers, we need to ensure a coordinated plan to develop this important workforce."

Cymraeg 2050: A million Welsh speakers

Camau Welsh Learning Courses

Camau courses are ‘Work Welsh courses’ which are bespoke for early years and childcare sector. We provide these courses through self-study methods and we now offer a 60 hour Entry, Foundation and Intermediate level course. The course includes the subjects listed below.

Entry

Foundation

Intermediate

understand simple day to day phrases and use them in a childcare setting
discuss days of the week and the weather
give direct commands and simple instructions
discuss feelings and desires
discuss likes and dislikes, giving reasons
count and use numbers
discuss colours and shapes
discuss events in the past
discuss the time
discuss future events

discuss the weather in the present, past and future
ask and answer questions about nature and playing outdoors
discuss looking after pets and animals
ask and answer questions about travelling
discuss food and drink
ask and answer questions about favourite things
discuss where you and others are going
give commands
compare people and objects
change the emphasis in simple sentences

give instructions that are relevant to everyday routines in a childcare setting
describe actions and feelings
discuss playing with sand and water
discuss surroundings
discuss objects (e.g., toys) during play time
discuss making pictures and painting
give advice, using ‘should’
express opinions and provide reasons
emphasize information
discuss things that have happened to us

New Skills

For a full list of the new skills you will learn on this course, select the links below:

All learners are expected to achieve approximately one unit per week. The course should take approximately 10 weeks to complete. Support will be available to all learners from your organisation.

For more information please email camau@dysgucymraeg.cymru or visit the Cwlwm website to contact them.

Is this course suitable for me?

Before committing, take a look at the following definitions to ensure you are at the correct level for the Foundation or Intermediate course.

Camau Case Studies

Victoria found the Camau training fitted well with her working day. Being able to access the training remotely, at a time that was convenient with the flexibility to work through the units at a pace that worked for her made the training manageable. The content is relevant to Victoria’s provision and the downloadable top tips document for each unit are “excellent” and good to have as print outs to help as visual prompts in practice.

Victoria’s advice to those thinking of taking up the training would be: “Take your time. Print off and highlight a phrase a day and create opportunities to use it with the children. Don’t get disheartened if you can’t remember everything. Practice daily with the children and make it fun”.

Emma likes the ease of use and repetitions on Camau and is now “using everything the course gave her”. Emma would recommend CAMAU and states: “The camau course is excellent as it teaches you words and phrases which you will use in your childcare setting! There are loads of videos to help with pronunciation and it even explains treigladau.”

This time last year we used very little Welsh in the setting, we only had a few Welsh signs and sang 1 or 2 Welsh songs. We are now using it much more. We greet each other in Welsh, ask how we are and also participate in activities with the children in Welsh. We now have Welsh conversations with families, all our work is now bilingual and any correspondence we send home bilingually. We sing songs during circle time in Welsh and read Welsh stories.

Before embarking on the Camau project we used the Welsh language mainly in our songs and telling stories. I used it in a very simple way to teach the children. However, since completing Level 2 on the Camau project it has significantly improved Welsh being used and implemented, both on a personal level, as a team and in the activities we provide. I am now able to speak Welsh with much more confidence, having a deeper understanding of the language.

Testimonial of a Camau learner– Debra Hughes, registered childminder, Wrexham.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed learning Welsh through the Camau courses and very proud to have achieved part 1, 2, 3. I love the Welsh language and culture and enjoy sharing what I have learnt in my setting with the children. I look after 2 children that are bilingual so the courses are perfect for me. Equally their parents are very pleased and proud that I have completed the courses. Although they have never pressurized me to do so.. they are grateful that I have taken the time to learn.

Camau courses are infectious.... you complete part 1 and just know you want to carry on. The courses are very well laid out and each unit compliments the other. I particularly like the ‘revisit’ of previous unit before you start the next, to check knowledge etc.

The graphics and videos used are brilliant and everything is explained well. Help with pronunciation is very handy within the videos. The courses are just the right length but with plenty of learning and information in. The notes section is very handy during the course.. and I love that I could print each section. I have learnt a lot of Welsh songs and I use these in my setting. (very good part of the course).

The pride I feel when one of my little ones say a Welsh word that I have taught them is incredible. Da iawn Little Pumpkins!

There is always help and advice either at the end of the phone or email with Briant Rees, she is so helpful and patient!

I highly recommend the Camau course to people that want to learn Welsh.”

Camau

Camau Case Studies

Resources