New books for adults learning Welsh published by CAA Cymru

Aberystwyth University Vice-Chancellor Professor Elizabeth Tresure (right) receives a copy of Wynne Evans – o Gaerfyrddin i Go Compare from Delyth Ifan, Director of CAA Cymru (Centre). Also pictured (left to right) is Stephen Forster, Director of Finance, Susan Chambers, Director of Human Resources and Welsh Learning Tutor Rob Dery.

Aberystwyth University Vice-Chancellor Professor Elizabeth Tresure (right) receives a copy of Wynne Evans – o Gaerfyrddin i Go Compare from Delyth Ifan, Director of CAA Cymru (Centre). Also pictured (left to right) is Stephen Forster, Director of Finance, Susan Chambers, Director of Human Resources and Welsh Learning Tutor Rob Dery.

05 June 2018

The first copy of a new book for adults learning Welsh has been presented to Aberystwyth University’s Vice-Chancellor.

Wynne Evans – O Gaerfyrddin i Go Compare was presented to Professor Elizabeth Treasure during her weekly Welsh lesson by CAA Cymru, Aberystwyth University’s educational publisher.

Copies were also presented to Stephen Forster, the University’s Finance Director, and Susan Chambers, Director of Human Resources, who are also learning Welsh.

The book, by author Elin Meek, is aimed at adults who are learning Welsh at the Mynediad (Entry) level and tells the story of the tenor who became famous for his role in the Go Compare television advertisements.

The book is part of the Amdani series, which has been developed specifically for adults learning Welsh, and have been graded at four levels – Entry, Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced.

Funded by the Welsh Books Council, the Amdani series will be published jointly by four leading publishers, with the support of the National Centre for Learning Welsh. CAA Cymru will publish five of twenty books in the series.

At the launch of Wynne Evans – o Gaerfyrddin i Go Compare, Delyth Ifan, CAA Cymru Director said: “We're delighted to present these new books for adults learning Welsh. As well as being suitable for learners, these books are suitable for people who may be fluent Welsh speakers but lack confidence in reading the language. I would also encourage anyone wanting to reacquaint themselves with the language to read them."

Phyl Brake, the University’s Learn Welsh Coordinator said: “This booklet is an honest, entertaining and compelling account of the singer from south Wales. It is authored by someone who has many years experience in teaching Welsh as a tutor, examiner and as a course writer herself. The vocabulary and language patterns used are relevant and structured, and a short list of new vocabulary can be found at the bottom of each page. Wynne Evans’ story is sufficiently gripping to sustain the reader’s interest throughout, while, at the same time, constant repetition ensures that learners at all levels, familiarise themselves subconsciously with relevant vocabulary and basic language patterns.”

Efa Gruffudd Jones, Chief Executive of the National Centre for Learning Welsh added: “This new series of books will support current Welsh courses and will be an essential resource for Welsh learners in classes. We're delighted they are being offered on graded levels – this will certainly help increase confidence amongst learners. We hope that this project will attract learners to reading Welsh books in general.”

This is the third volume CAA Cymru has published in this series. Y Llythyr and Cofio Angharad, adaptations of popular English books, are also available and books by Zoe Pettinger and Jon Gower will be published in the upcoming months.

The books were launched at the Urdd National Eisteddfod last week, and various events will be held at the Royal Welsh, Tafwyl and the National Eisteddfod in Cardiff.