A new report by Swansea University recommends that a network of Canolfannau Cymraeg should be established around Wales, which would offer Welsh learners and others a place to socialise outside the classroom.
The report which has been written by Heini Gruffudd and Steve Morris on behalf of South-West Wales Welsh for Adults Centre, will be presented in an event sponsored by Assembly Member for Swansea East, Mike Hedges at the Senedd building in Cardiff on Tuesday, 10 July 2012 at 12.30pm.
The Centre which is part of Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University has completed the research funded by the Welsh Assembly. One third of all learners on advanced level courses in Wales contributed to the work during 2009-2010.
The ‘Canolfannau Cymraeg and Social Networks of Adult Learners of Welsh’ report emphasises that Canolfannau Cymraeg should be established in non Welsh speaking communities across Wales.Their main aim would be to provide adults who are learning and those who have learnt Welsh with an opportunity to socialise with other Welsh speakers.
They could prove to be very popular with children and young people who have received their education through the medium of Welsh, but haven’t been able to use the language outside of the school corridors.
Steve Morris from South-West Wales Welsh for Adults Centre said: ‘‘The Welsh Assembly and local authorities should work with Welsh for Adults Centres, Mentrau Iaith and other organisations to establish Canolfannau Cymraeg across Wales over the next decade. The Basque Country has many centres and most of them are supported by the government. Wales has just three, all of them set up by local initiatives. We look forward to a huge change in the provision for new speakers of Welsh in the community in future.”
A copy of the report can be found here http://www.swansea.ac.uk/cy/israddedig/academihywelteifi/ymchwil/
