National Centre for Learning Welsh
| Y Ganolfan Dysgu Cymraeg Genedlaethol (Welsh) | |
 | |
| Formation | 2016 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Welsh Government |
| Type | Educational organisation |
| Purpose |
|
| Headquarters | Carmarthen, Wales |
| Fields | Minority language movement |
Chief executive | Dona Lewis |
| Website | learnwelsh |
The National Centre for Learning Welsh (Welsh: Y Ganolfan Dysgu Cymraeg Genedlaethol) is an organisation which co-ordinates standardised Welsh language classes throughout Wales and globally. It was set up in 2016 to promote learning Welsh among the adult population and it is funded by the Welsh Government as part of their goal to reach 1 million speakers of the Welsh language by 2050.[1] Estyn reported that the programme is "a cornerstone of workplace language planning initiatives" and has praised its impact on bilingualism in Wales.[2]
It currently offers courses are Entry (Mynediad), Foundation (Sylfaen) Intermediate (Canolradd), High (Uwch) and Gloywi (Proficient) speakers. Levels broadly follow the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.[3] The courses are delivered by a group of ten national local providers: [4]
- Learn Welsh Cardiff, through Cardiff University.
- Learn Welsh Swansea Bay, through Swansea University.
- Learn Welsh The Vale, for the Vale of Glamorgan through Aberystwyth University.
- Learn Welsh Glamorgan for residents of Bridgend, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil through The University of South Wales.
- Learn Welsh Gwent for residents of Caerphilly, Torfaen, Newport, Blaenau Gwent and Monmouthshire through Coleg Gwent.
- Learn Welsh Pembrokeshire.
- Learn Welsh Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Powys through Aberystwyth University.
- Learn Welsh Northeast, covering Flintshire, Denbighshire and Wrexham through Coleg Cambria.
- Learn Welsh Northwest, covering Gwynedd, Anglesey and Conwy through Bangor University.
- Nant Gwrtheyrn, an immersion centre in North West Wales.
18,330 people completed courses with the centre in 2023-2024 which was a 45% increase on the 2016 numbers.[5] From 2022, courses have been free for 16-25 year olds and teachers[6]. The centre has also collaborated with Duolingo to increase the numbers of people learning Welsh and to reach the government's target of 1 million speakers by 2050.[7]. It also offers tailored lessons for refugees and asylum seekers to learn Welsh.[8] Since 2025, it has collaborated with the UK government to make Welsh-language courses available to all British civil servants.[9]
References
[edit]- ↑ Steven Morris (11 December 2022). "'We don't want the language to die': Carmarthen residents speak up for Welsh". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
- ↑ "Scheme highlighted as 'cornerstone of language planning in the workplace". Nation.Cymru. 14 September 2025. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
- ↑ "Learning levels". The National Centre for Learning Welsh. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
- ↑ "Local providers". The National Centre for Learning Welsh. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
- ↑ "Growth in Welsh learners reported at National Centre". Nation.Cymru. 8 August 2025. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
- ↑ Rhiannon Wilkins (10 February 2022). "Welsh: Free lessons for teachers and 16 to 25-year-olds". BBC News. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
- ↑ Steven Morris (21 January 2021). "Welsh language centre partners with Duolingo in million speaker goal". BBC News. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
- ↑ Aled Huw (29 December 2021). "Welsh language lessons for refugees and asylum seekers". BBC News. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
- ↑ "Free Welsh language learning for UK civil servants". gov.uk. 7 March 2025. Retrieved 10 December 2025.