Welsh learners celebrated for their commitment to learning and promoting the language

Staff at Prifysgol Wrecsam/Wrexham University are being celebrated for their efforts in learning and promoting the Welsh language.

Six colleagues – Lizz Morley, Events Co-ordinator; Kelsey Davies, Widening Access Co-ordinator; Rhianwen Pullen, Digital Learning Officer; Christina Dawson, Digital Development Officer; Carole Eccles, Faculty Business Development Manager; and Elissa Griffiths, Digital, Design and Communications Coordinator at Wrexham Glyndwr Students’ Union – have spent the past year undertaking the Work Welsh course in a bid to strengthen their Welsh language skills at work.

Some members of the group have gone from not being to speak any of the language beyond basic greetings to now having an intermediate level of proficiency.

Elissa Griffiths says learning Welsh has enabled her to better communicate with students, whose first language is Welsh.

“Getting involved with learning Welsh has been one of the best things I’ve decided to do in recent years,” she explained.

“It has enabled me to communicate with Welsh speaking students and reach out to those who may wish to learn more about the key services that the Students’ Union offers.

“In addition to that, I feel passionate about embedding the Welsh language and culture into student events in different ways. This is something I now plan to work more on in the next few years.”

Lizz Morley, who works within the university’s Recruitment team, says her confidence in planning and leading on events has increased, now that she is able to speak to prospective students and parents in Welsh.

She said: “Learning Welsh has been life-changing for me, it’s made a big difference to me in my role – when I’m at recruitment events such as UCAS fairs and our open days, it feels great to be able to welcome and have a conversation with prospective students and their parents in Welsh.

“It’s really helped my confidence, as well as increase my networks and contacts within the Welsh community.

For example, this year as a Recruitment team, we will be attending Eisteddfod Genedlaethol – the National Eisteddfod of Wales, which is a first for us – and I feel excited that we will be present at this large-scale event.”

Elen Mai Nefydd, Head of Welsh Medium Academic Development, has praised colleagues for their “hard work and unrelenting commitment”.

She said: “I’d like to congratulate the group for their unrelenting commitment and hard work by learning and strengthening their Welsh language skills at work, and in turn, positively impacting our students’ experience and our Welsh language offering here at the university.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to recognise and thank Welsh Language tutor, Sian Owen for her hard work in facilitating the sessions and supporting staff with learning Welsh. She’s done a truly superb job.

“Since approving our Welsh Language Academic Strategy and Action Plan a number of months back, we are already making progress and demonstrating our commitment to creating a truly bilingual culture and supporting the Welsh Government’s ambition of reaching one million Welsh speakers by 2050.”