Welsh Language Resources
Want to learn the Welsh language? Find out about local in-person classes around Sydney, online self-directed learning resources and recommended Welsh dictionaries. Click a button to find out more about a specific language resource.
Language
Welsh Classes
Learn Welsh in Sydney
Informal Welsh language classes are provided at three levels in different locations around Sydney.
Introductory & Beginner Level
The class provides an introduction to the Welsh language using sections of popular courses and exercises. The class is held in the Gaelic Club in the city (Central) on Tuesday evenings by a native Welsh speaker. For further information please contact Huw Evans at huwman82@hotmail.com
Intermediate Level
Emphasis on spoken or street Welsh using current news items and topics from Welsh web sites. Participants must have a basic knowledge of Welsh before joining this group. The class is held in Pennant Hills on Monday evenings. For further information please contact Ian Williams at refine@bigpond.net.au
Advanced & Academic Level
For university students and keen followers of the language. The class uses a variety of techniques and topics including translating best-selling English language novels, folk songs, Christmas carols and Welsh culture and mythology. Held in the Eastern suburbs on weekends by university lecturer, John Coombs at wjcoombs@optusnet.com.au
Language
Online Learning
For self-directed learners, there are many books, online resources as well as classroom learning tools. Here are some useful courses and websites to help you get started:
- duolingo is ideal for people that apps and devices. A fun and easy way to begin with courses for any age and experience level.
- SaySomethingin Welsh offers fast, interactive ways to get you speaking the language. Opportunities to converse in Welsh at local meet-ups, and two dialect options make this a great choice for accelerated to learning.
- Learn Welsh Cymru by The National Centre for Learning Welsh is responsible for all aspects of the Learn Welsh sector. It is the most comprehensive resource site where you can search, find and choose courses in Wales, with plenty online options.
- Cymraeg Cywrain by Learn Welsh Cymru is an online self-study course on Fluency level. It guides users through a series of units that focus on certain elements of Professional Welsh.
- BBC BitesizeWelsh Second Language has a range of resources to help you learn or improve your Welsh plus resources for children, teens and GSCE.
- BBC Cymru Fyw Learn Welsh has content for people who are learning Welsh. Each article includes a vocabulary list at the end.
- Cardiff and Vale College (CAVC) A College in the Capital Region of Wales with free and part-time Welsh Language courses aimed at adults.
- Nant Gwrtheyrn Welsh Language and Heritage Centre, located near the village of Llithfaen on the northern coast of the Llŷn Peninsula provides residential courses on behalf of The National Centre for Learning Welsh.
- The Open University Croeso: Beginners’ Welsh course is a free basic introduction to the language developed by The Open University in the UK.
- Bangor University Learn Welsh Cymru North West has developed a structured and effective programme for adult learners of Welsh.
- University Aberystwyth on behalf of the National Centre for Learning Welsh, Aberystwyth University provides all Learn Welsh courses in Ceredigion, Powys, Carmarthenshire & The Vale.
- University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) has some Welsh language courses available online along with the digital Welsh dictionary. UWTSD has campuses across Wales and the UK in Swansea, Carmarthen, Lampeter, Cardiff, London, and Birmingham.
- BBC Wales’ Learn Welsh and Catchphrase website has been archived and is no longer updated (since 2014), however, it still contains useful content to help you learn the language. BBC Learn Welsh – Grammar Guide for Learners book is still available for purchase online.
- Linguaphone Cwrs Cymraeg (©1977) is a vintage self-study Welsh course featuring 30 lessons designed to build a 1,800-word vocabulary. Digital uploads of the book can be found online.
- Teach Yourself Welsh has various editions and is popular course book which has been available for many years and is still available for purchase online or through good bookshops.
- The Australian School of Celtic Learning is an Australian-based language school offering online classes in alternative Celtic languages including Medieval Irish, Modern Irish and Scottish Gaelic.
- Plus, you can always DIY on YouTube or via other AI Language and Learning Models, like ChatGPT or Claude.
Language
Welsh Dictionaries
There are several dictionaries available in hard and soft copy. One of the most useful hard copy dictionaries is the Modern Welsh Dictionary a guide to the living language edited by Gareth King which includes numerous illustrative examples taken from everyday speech and writing.
The Welsh Learner’s Dictionary (Geiriadur Y Dysgwyr) and accompanying Phrasebook and Basic Grammar publication by Heini Gruffydd are very popular with English-Welsh and vice-versa translations, comprising over 20,000 words.
The more traditional Collins Spurrell Welsh Dictionary (in publication since the 1800s) was revised in 2017 and follows the conventional layout for language dictionaries and contains a far greater number of word entries.
Dictionaries can be ordered online or from local bookshops.
Much work has also been done in digitising dictionaries and two popular choices are:
