"I suddenly became very aware of being Welsh. There were only two Welsh people in the whole college. People would ask if I spoke Welsh, and I'd have to say no. It's like a switch turned on while I was at uni. I was thinking that I'd missed out on something."
"I found the classes for adults an amazing experience. I made such good friends, I learned about Welsh culture, I discovered new bands and books, a new world. I wanted to give back."
"The number of adult learners taking courses with the centre has increased 12% in a year, and has now reached more than 20,000 for the first time."
"The latest five-year report from the Welsh language commissioner found that while the number of Cymraeg speakers has remained more or less stable for decades, it has not risen in line with significant population growth, making the language more vulnerable."
Elinor Staniforth initially disliked Welsh lessons but reassessed her identity while at Oxford University. After returning to Cardiff, she began learning Welsh online and became a finalist for the Cymraeg Learner of the Year prize. Staniforth found adult classes enriching, leading to friendships and cultural discoveries. The National Centre for Learning Welsh reported a 12% increase in adult learners, reaching over 20,000. Despite stable speaker numbers, the Welsh language faces challenges, prompting calls for transformative action to meet future speaker targets.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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