Welsh is one of the most popular languages on Duolingo. I’ve been learning it there for several years. Duolingo has taught me a lot of vocabulary and basic sentence structures. I enjoy the gamified approach, even though it’s not the novelty it once was.

I added other learning methods when I realised that Duolingo wasn’t likely to get me speaking. I tried:

• Entry-level Dysgu Cymraeg
• Doctor Cymraeg’s beginner course
• Say Something in Welsh
• Amdani reading books

This is how I got on with each method.

Dysgu Cymraeg classes

Following this course took me back to my school days. Lessons were group classes alongside other learners. The teacher was very good, and the grammar-heavy textbook was clearly laid out.

I felt that the textbook made Welsh grammar look overwhelming. In formal Welsh, sentences begin with verbs. These vary depending on tense (e.g. past, present, future), person (e.g. you, they, she), sentence type (e.g. question, negative, affirmative), and the region of Wales. The language is richly diverse, so there are always several ways to say something.

I remember looking at one page and thinking that I’d have to learn 30 versions of one verb. It was pretty intimidating. I was relieved when the course came to an end.

Doctor Cymraeg’s online course

Doctor Cymraeg’s online video course was just what I needed after Dysgu Cymraeg. It’s taught by Welsh teacher Stephen Rule (aka Doctor Cymraeg). He’s also a lifelong learner of Welsh, and I think that’s why his teaching feels so accessible.

The course is built around a slideshow presentation of Welsh grammar. Doctor Cymraeg shows how the verbs follow patterns. This means you don’t have to learn 30 versions of one verb. Instead, you just need to understand the pattern that unites the diversity.

I dip in and out of the course and will probably need to watch each video several times. Doctor Cymraeg demystifies Welsh grammar, but there’s still a lot of it.

Say Something in Welsh

Next to Duolingo, this is my favourite Welsh-learning method. It follows a very simple listen-and-repeat format. As you learn more words and phrases, the complexity of what you can say increases. With this approach, there’s no need to learn any formal grammar. Your brain will pick it up instinctively.

Say Something in Welsh places quite a heavy demand on the listener’s attention and short-term memory. Fortunately, you can see the words written on the screen in Welsh and English.

In my work as a proofreader, I have to be very aware of the whole document. I also have to be comfortable with remembering non-English words. I’m convinced that using Say Something in Welsh exercises the mental muscles that I need to do this.

I dip in and out of this course. I’ve not finished Say Something in Welsh yet!

Amdani

The Amdani story books are written with grammar and vocabulary that learners can understand. I bought books in the entry-level series (called mynediad in Welsh).

I was also able to buy a couple on Audible, so that I could listen and read at the same time. I found I much preferred the books that I could listen to, and I wish all the Amdani books were available as audiobooks.

My favourite book, Gorau Glas, is about a police officer’s adventures in a small Welsh town.

After all this, can I speak Welsh?

I wish I could say that I’m now fluent in Welsh. I’m still very much a beginner, but a confident one. It’s frustrating that I’m not more advanced. However, I do appreciate the mental exercise that comes with learning any language.