Where to begin?

General guidance for parents and carers who are eager to support and develop the Welsh language skills of their children outside school can be found by selecting the link below.

You might also find this video clip for parents and carers of Welsh medium learners who do not speak Welsh at home helpful too. It's from Professor Enlli Thomas from Bangor University.

If you'd like to know more about Professor Thomas's studies regarding ways of using, retaining and re-energising language skills, selected reading is available here:

Seren and Sbarc

These are the official mascots of Welsh Government's Welsh Language Charter Initiative. Click on the button below to discover more about the Language Charter and the adventures of Seren and Sbarc. Various printable activity sheets are also available through the button.

Seren and Sbarc have dedicated social media accounts too so you can follow them on various platforms such as Twitter (@SerenaSbarc).

Language Charter Awards

All Welsh medium primary schools in our area promote the work of the Welsh Language Charter. They've already won the Silver Award and are busy preparing to be validated for the Gold Award! As a result, you might well see these playful characters on materials shared by your child's school.

Support

All Welsh medium primary schools in our region are being supported by Ysgol Gymraeg Penalltau (Caerphilly CBC) this year. As well as helping staff at other schools, the Criw Cymraeg (Welsh Crew) at Penalltau tweet fun challenges for parents and carers to complete with their children outside school. Have a look at the school's Twitter account (@penalltau).

Other schools in the area often tweet about Language Charter activity too so keep an eye on them. A full list of schools in the area is available at the end of this presentation.

Every day ...

... is an opportunity to practise speaking Welsh but you'll probably see increased activity to celebrate certain occasions such as Diwrnod Cenedlaethol Barddoniaeth (National Poetry Day), Diwrnod y Llyfr (World Book Day), Diwrnod T. Llew Jones (T. Llew Jones Day), Diwrnod Santes Dwynwen (St. Dwynwen's Day), Dydd Miwsig Cymru (Welsh Music Day) and Dydd Gŵyl Dewi (St. David's Day), of course!

Something for everyone

Many other organisations are also eager to help parents to support their children. They've created a range of engaging activities to encourage children to enjoy using their Welsh in informal situations - just for the fun of it!

A variety of suggestions for children in the Foundation Phase (below Year 3) can be found here:

And for children in Key Stage 2 (Years 3 - 6), look here:

Something to read?

Booktrust Cymru provides a wealth of resources to promote reading for children - including activity packages which parents / carers and young children can enjoy together. Take a look at what's on offer here ...

The Urdd produces two free digital magazines in Welsh which are suitable for children ...

Cip is a lively bi-monthly magazine for 7-12 year old readers ...

and ...

Bore da is a monthly magazine for Key Stage 2 Welsh learners and it's full of interesting articles and stories.

You can register to receive copies delivered directly your inbox here:

Y Cliciadur

A quarterly on-line newspaper specifically for children in Welsh medium schools. It's full of facts, contemporary articles and a variety of activities. Current and previous editions are available here:

Learning through Apps

When used in moderation, children can practise and develop their language skills through a variety of educational apps too - many available without cost. We've included some suggestions for children in the Foundation Phase and Key Stage 2 below. Why not have a look?

Support for more formal educational activities

A range of support to help you support your child with more formal school activities is also available.

BBC Bitesize has produced a number of resources for Foundation Phase and Key Stage 2 children. They can be accessed by the links below.

What about you?

You may want to try to learn Welsh. You might have learnt Welsh at school and are interested in revisiting the language.

If you are considering your own Welsh language journey, here are some useful sources of information that might help you. Whatever your level, there are options for you.

Click on the underlined blue text in section below to discover more about the opportunities available to help you on your own bilingual journey.

The National Centre for Learning Welsh provides a suite of language learning options at five different levels: Entry, Foundation, Intermediate, Advanced and Proficiency. The centre offers locally available language learning classes through 11 centres nationally. Learn Welsh Gwent provides courses in Caerphilly, Torfaen, Newport, Blaenau Gwent and Monmouthshire with a successful shift to more online provision in recent times. Click on the link for local information and promotions. Find your new course.

Have a go at some of their informal 10 minute Mini Lessons for beginners. Enjoy!

Should you be interested in Welsh in the Workplace taster sessions, there are a range of options including online taster courses offered free of charge . These are bespoke workplace Welsh courses developed for sectors including education, health, social care, tourism and retail.

Just for fun!

Duolingo promotes language learning through game-like experiences and is a popular way of learning Welsh informally. Visit the Duolingo website and choose Welsh or download the App.

No rules no fuss!

SaySomethingInWelsh is a free online course that focuses on helping people learn to speak and understand Welsh. It avoids complicated grammar rules and reading / writing. It is available via website and App platforms.

Encouraging your children to speak Welsh socially will help them develop their confidence and fluency.

Confidence boost?

Know some Welsh but lack confidence? There's a whole range of technological tools to support language development and accuracy. Here are a few!

Cysill

Online spelling and grammar checker. Type or paste text into the box and it will instantly check your work. Click the link to give it a try!

Cysgliad

This software package which checks Welsh spelling and grammar has been released as a free download thanks to a partnership between Bangor University and the Welsh Government. Click the link to give it a try!

Y Termiadur Addysg

Sponsored by the the Welsh Government, this resource provides standardised terminology for the field of education. These are the terms to be used in resources of all kinds for teachers and students as well as in Welsh medium exams. Click below to give it a go!

English <> Welsh Dictionary

Don't forget about the impressive Ap Geiriaduron dictionary app. Once downloaded onto your device, you do not need a web link to use this comprehensive English >< Welsh dictionary.

The app will give access to a wealth of information in your pocket. It includes the general dictionary Cysgair as well as the standard terminology dictionaries for Welsh schools and further education colleges. See the link below!

Mutations

We all question ourselves about the Treiglad Meddal, Treiglad Trwynol a'r Treiglad Llaes sometimes. This app can help you! More information is available through the link below ...

To bach (^)?

If a vowel requires a 'to bach' (^), this software is available free of charge and makes placing a circumflex accent in Welsh words very easy. By using the Alt Gr key it is possible to place a 'to bach (^)' on all the Welsh vowels â, ê, î, ô, û, ŵ and ŷ. Follow the link for more information ...

And finally ...

Remember that Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office are available in Welsh. Check them out here ...

Looking for further information?

Staff at your child's school are very eager to support you on your bilingual journey. Speak to them ... They're waiting to help.

Here's a list of the region's Welsh medium primary schools according to local authority

Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Helyg

Ysgol Bro Sannan

Ysgol Cwm Derwen

Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Allta

Ysgol Gymraeg Cwm Gwyddon

Ysgol Gymraeg Gilfach Fargoed

Ysgol Gymraeg Trelyn

Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Caerffili

Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Y Castell

Ysgol Ifor Bach

Ysgol Penalltau

Ysgol Y Lawnt

Ysgol Gymraeg Y Fenni

Ysgol Gymraeg Y Ffin

Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Teyrnon

Ysgol Gymraeg Casnewydd

Ysgol Gymraeg Ifor Hael

Ysgol Bryn Onnen

Ysgol Gymraeg Cwmbrân

Ysgol Panteg