Welcome to 'Sôn am Sgwennu', a Welsh language resource from Dr Llion Pryderi Roberts, School of Welsh, Cardiff University, which presents a series of discussions about contemporary creative writing. The resource includes: Sôn am Sgwennu podcast - recordings of conversations with 4 experienced writers who focus on the practical process of writing and on aspects relevant to their work and to studying the field: Caryl Lewis Ifor ap Glyn Annes Glynn Llŷr Gwyn Lewis The resource also includes a document for each recording which indicates the questions asked and which roughly indicates the relevant time codes for each question (so that it is possible to listen to the recording in its entirety or move from one question to another) Sôn am Sgwennu Essays - 8 short essays which discuss aspects relevant to the process of creative writing and to studying the field: ‘Ysgrifennu Creadigol: Dechrau arni a datblygu syniad’, Llion Pryderi Roberts ‘Sgrifennu’, Elinor Wyn Reynolds ‘Cymeriadu’, Megan Angharad Hunter ‘Creu Cerdd’, Mari George ‘Perlau mân Llwyd Owen’ ‘Annwyl Leo, Annwyl Iestyn: Proses gydweithredol cyfres Y Pump’, Iestyn Tyne a Leo Drayton ‘Sgwennu Nofel’, Marlyn Samuel ‘Ysgrifennu i Blant’, Casia Wiliam This is primarily a resource for Higher Education students, but it can be relevant to AS and A level pupils, teachers, and anyone interested in creative writing. Funding was awarded for this resource through the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol Small Grants scheme. I would like to thank the Coleg, all the authors for their willingness to participate in the project and my colleagues at Ysgol y Gymraeg, Cardiff University for their ready support.

Resources to help study the two short stories in the book Cariad Pur? which is on the Welsh Second Language AS/A Level specification (U2 Unit 6: The Use of Language and the Short Story). The resources are to help with studying Beth Os? by Llio Mai Hughes and Trŵ Lyf by Marlyn Samuel. Resources include: Beth Os? Digital copy (PDF + Word) Trŵ Lyf Digital copy (PDF) Revision Worksheets (PDF) Video Lecture and Powerpoint presentation by Dr Miriam Elin Jones Video Lecture Transcript Llio Mai Hughes Author Interview Video + transcript Marlyn Samuel Author Inteview Video + transcript Resources created by the Department of Welsh, Swansea University, with funding from the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

A new video resource that brings the history of the Welsh language to life in 4 minutes. From its origins in the Brythonic language and the earliest written versions through the Acts of Union and the Industrial Revolution to the establishment of the Urdd and Welsh-medium schools in the twentieth century, this video goes from the year 40 to 2022, when the language was used for the first time in the biggest sporting stage, the football World Cup. “Today, over half a million speak the language and the Welsh Government wants to have one million Welsh speakers by 2050 so that the Welsh language becomes an integral part of everyday life, in communities, school, at work and in digital technology.” A resource to be used widely with learners of all ages, and specifically for Welsh Second Language A Level Unit 5 (The Welsh Language in Society).   Welsh subtitles can be selected on video in YouTube (English subtitles available soon). Funded by Welsh Government.

A new video resource that gives a contemporary look at Dafydd ap Gwilym’s famous cywydd, as studied in A Level Welsh Unit 5 (Medieval Prose and Early and Medieval Poetry). The video focus on 4 parts of the text to tell the story, detailing the content in today’s language and focusing on the poet’s style and craft. Script prepared by Dr Eurig Salisbury, lecturer at the Department of Welsh at Aberystwyth University.   Welsh subtitles can be selected on video in YouTube. Funded by Welsh Government.

Pūtahitanga:  te reo Māori (in the Māori language) which describes a community coming together to work together on a specific idea, topic or challenge. The word embodies the ethos of the research project that uses it as a title: The Pūtahitanga Project. This is a project that explores popular music, language and identity in the Welsh and Māori contexts. As part of the project, Dr Elen Ifan from Cardiff University received an Innovation Grant from the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol to hold workshops in Aotearoa (New Zealand) and Wales with musicians who use Māori and Welsh in their work. This resource shares clips from the workshop in Cardiff and includes activities to involve you in our research as well. It is mainly designed for higher education students, but it is also relevant to anyone interested in Welsh popular music and the worksheet is suitable for AS and A level as well. The project essentially aims to find connections between the experiences of musicians who use two minority languages ​​(Welsh and te reo (the language) Māori), trying to understand the various challenges facing these musical communities , but without directly comparing. The project uses creative research methods and involves audiences in the research. This resource forms part of that work. The video files include a presentation by the lead researcher and clips from a workshop held in Cardiff in November 2023. The worksheet guides the person using the resource through the activities, encourages them to engage with the themes of the project, to think about what is relevant or important to them, and invites creative responses to the research. 

A new video resource that presents and summarizes the main content, themes, and characters of Llyfr Glas Nebo by Manon Steffan Ros, for the GCSE WJEC Welsh Literature Unit 2 course. The video aims to present the novel in a simple and memorable way, encouraging learners to study further. Welsh subtitles can be selected on video in YouTube. Funded by Welsh Government.

An appealing, contemporary volume presenting an accessible introduction to the discipline of the Welsh language, edited by lectures at the School of Welsh, Cardiff University; Dr Angharad Naylor, Dr Llion Pryderi Roberts and Dr Dylan Foster Evans. It presents the richness, breadth and passion of the language as an academic discipline, and will motivate interest and curiosity in familiar and new fields - such as language, literature, language sociology, literary critique, culture and inheritance and creative writing. Online Open Access (link below) Also available to buy as a paperback on the University of Wales Press website or in your local bookshop.

A podcast that discusses aspects of education that help pupils along the road to becoming Welsh speakers, in the context of the target to reach a million Welsh speakers by 2050.  The podcast will appeal to anyone completing a teacher training course, newly qualified teachers, or anyone who’s already part of the education workforce. It’s also likely to be of interest to anyone who wants to know more about the role of the education system in reaching a million Welsh speakers. It is also an excellent resource to support the Welsh Language Competency Framework for Education Practitioners.

Resources from Dr Alex Lovell, Swansea University to assist with the skill of Translanguaging, which is part of the Welsh Second Language AS/A Level specification (U2 Unit 5, Section B). Resources include: Language Workshop: Translanguaging - video lecture Translanguaging Language Workshop PowerPoint slides Translanguaging worksheet The resources: consider what 'translanguaging' is and what are the benefits? discuss how to write an effective translanguage analyze a good example includes tasks to further practice translanguaging skills Resources created by the Department of Welsh, Swansea University, with funding from the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

This is a valuable opportunity to hear a panel of experts and familiar faces discuss the early and medieval poetry of Aneirin, Talieisin and Dafydd ap Gwilym.  The panel includes Professor Jerry Hunter, Dr Aled Llion Jones, and Professor Peredur Lynch, Bangor University. Specifically suitable for year 13 learners who are studying for their Unit 5 Welsh exam, but of wider interest as well. A session recorded in Pontio, Bangor, during May 2023, in collaboration between Bangor University's Department of Welsh and Pontio. Sponsored by the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol. Session in Welsh. Looking for more resources? Watch our Ar-lên study sessions available here or here.

This is a valuable opportunity to hear a panel of experts and familiar faces discuss Branwen, ferch Llŷr. During the session, there will be a discussion on various aspects of the story by experts on medieval prose. The panel includes Professor Jerry Hunter and Dr Aled Llion Jones, Bangor University, and Dr Rhiannon Ifans. Specifically suitable for year 13 learners who are studying for their Unit 5 Welsh exam, but of wider interest as well. A session recorded in Pontio, Bangor, during April 2023, in collaboration between Bangor University's Department of Welsh and Pontio. Sponsored by the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol. Session in Welsh.   Looking for more resources on Branwen? Watch our Ar-lên study sessions available here.

This is a valuable opportunity to hear a panel of experts and familiar faces discuss the award-winning film, Hedd Wyn, scripted by Alan Llwyd and directed by Paul Turner. During the session, there will be a discussion on various aspects of the film including the historical and industrial context, themes, the characters and the use of symbolism in the film. The importance of the film in Wales and internationally will also be discussed.  The panel includes Dr Manon Wyn Williams and Professor Gerwyn Wiliams, Bangor University, actor Huw Garmon and Noami Jones, Head of Cultural Heritage at yr Ysgwrn. Specifically suitable for year 12 pupils who are studying the film for the AS Welsh (Unit 1) oral exam, but of wider interest as well. A session recorded in Pontio, Bangor, during March 2023, in collaboration between Bangor University's Department of Welsh and Pontio. Sponsored by the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol. Session in Welsh.   Looking for more resources on Hedd Wyn? Watch our Ar-lên study session available here.