Language Centre launch

Friday 14 September 2007
Mid Wales Welsh for Adults Centre launch
On Saturday September 15 the Mid Wales Welsh for Adults Centre was formally launched by the Welsh Learner of the Year, Mrs Julie MacMillan. The launch was held at the Joseph Parry Hall, 10, Laura Place, Aberystwyth, at 11.00 am.

The Centre, which is part of Aberystwyth University, is one of six regional centres that have been created as part of a National Assembly of Wales scheme to promote the teaching of Welsh for Adults.

The role of the Centre is to coordinate the provision for learners across Ceredigion, Powys and Meirionnydd, and in order to achieve this it will work in partnership with Ceredigion County Council, the Workers Educational Association Coleg Harlech, and Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor, as well as various national and local associations.

Although this is a rural area, Welsh for Adults lessons are held in almost 60 towns and villages across the region, with almost 70 tutors teaching 3,000 students. All levels are taught, from beginners to fluent speakers, and there are also various teaching methods, from intensive to more relaxed courses, from Sadyrnau Siarad (Saturday conversation sessions) to residential courses.

The scheme is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and the Welsh Language Board.

Mr. Siôn Meredith, the Centre's Director, said;
‘Learning Welsh is fun, and opens new doors – in the family, the workplace and the community. We look forward to welcoming many new learners this year, and supporting every leaner in the region in their effort to learn Welsh fluently. Our vision is to see many more people, in every part of Mid Wales, crossing the bridge of becoming fluent speakers.'

Professor Noel Lloyd, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Aberystwyth University, said;
‘The launching of this Centre is an important milestone and plays a major part of the University’s mission to promote and expand its Welsh medium provision. It illustrates the University’s commitment to Welsh language and culture as well as being an important element of our aim to increase access to Higher Education.’

It is a development that integrates well with other elements of our provision, such as the External Degree and a number of undergraduate and postgraduate modules and courses that are available through the medium of Welsh.’

Mr John Griffiths, AC, Deputy Minister for Skills for the Welsh Assembly Government, said;
‘The Welsh for Adult Centres have an important role to play in helping to create a bilingual Wales. I am sure the new Centre in Aberystwyth will have a positive impact on the provision of Welsh for Adults across Mid Wales.’

If you wish to contact the Centre for information regarding Welsh courses in your area, then phone 0800 876 6975, or e-mail the Centre on welshforadults@aber.ac.uk. You can also find a course in your area on the Centre’s website, www.aber.ac.uk/welshforadults .

As part of the ceremony, Mrs MacMillan presented a poem written by the Prifardd Idris Reynolds, which has been etched on a slate, to Professor Noel Lloyd to commemorate the event.
Ends.
Further information:
Dafydd Morse, Mid Wales Welsh for Adults Centre, Aberystwyth University
01970 628461 dfm@aber.ac.uk
Arthur Dafis, Press and Public Relations, Aberystwyth University
01970 621763 / 07841 979 452 / aid@aber.ac.uk

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