News

1.03.2023 Nominations for the Aberystwyth University Welsh Language Awards 2023 are now open!

The awards are an opportunity to recognise the inspiring contributions of members of staff and students in supporting the use of Welsh, and to celebrate the University’s bilingual ethos.

There are two awards for students in the following categories:

• Welsh Medium Study Award (for a student who has shown an exceptional commitment to studying through the medium of Welsh)
• Welsh Language Champion Award (for a student who makes an exceptional contribution to the Welsh language in the University and/or the local community)

There are also two awards for staff in the following categories:

• Exceptional Learner (for a member of staff who is learning Welsh to use in the workplace)
• Promoting Welsh in the Workplace (for a member of staff, Welsh speaker, or non-Welsh speaker, who supports the use of Welsh in the workplace)

The closing date is 31 March, and the awards ceremony will take place in October 2023.
If you know any staff members or students who are suitable for one of the above awards, please nominate them.

Nomination form for Aberystwyth University Welsh Language Awards 2023

Short Use your Welsh Again Course

Do you have a little Welsh, but lack the confidence to use it?  The Learn  Welsh Team have arranged a short 5 week course to help boost your skills and confidence to use Welsh again.  It is anticipated that the course wil be at Sylfaen (Foundation) level but will be tailored to the class’s needs.  The course will be taught via Zoom on Mondays 1-2pm and will commence from 27 February.  The course is free.  All staff wishing to enrol are asked to seek their Line Manager’s permission prior to registration.  For further Information please contact Olwen Morus: olm25@aber.ac.uk.

Register via the link:  Foundation Course Part 1

Assessments in Welsh on English-medium modules (Semester 2 2022-23)

Every student has the right to submit written work and to sit an exam in Welsh on English-medium modules (with the exception of modules where the language is assessed).

If your University-timetabled departmental assessments in May and June 2023 include 

• a formal exam
• an online assessment with a limited submission period (3 days or less)

please email canolfangymraeg@aber.ac.uk by 17 March 2023 if you wish to receive an examination paper in Welsh for an English-medium module in Semester 2, confirming the following details:

• your name
• your department
• module title and code

You do not need to let us know if you intend to sit your exam in English on an English-medium module. You will receive your exam paper in English automatically. Also, you do not have to tell us in advance if you wish to submit assignments in Welsh on an English-medium module.

Call over to the Theatre Bar at Aberystwyth Arts Centre , 24th June at 12.30 to find out more about the regular ‘sesiynau sgwrsio’ chat sessions catered for all levels of Welsh been organised by the Learn Welsh Team.  A free goody bag will be available to everyone who drops in! For further information please contact Olwen Morus: olm25@aber.ac.uk ; or visit the website: https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/learn-welsh/

Learn Welsh Courses

Work Welsh classes starting in May

Would you like to develop Welsh language skills for the workplace? Work Welsh classes will commence from the beginning of May until the end of March 2023. 

Taught via Zoom with opportunities to meet face to face from time to time, we offer courses from beginner to Advanced level 1. There will also be self-study on-line courses at Entry and Foundation levels.

Interested?

If you are interested in registering or want to discuss other possible courses, please pop by the Learn Welsh stand next Thursday, 5 May (11.45-13.30) at Aberystwyth Arts Centre or drop Olwen Morus a line on – olm25@aber.ac.uk. 

For more information please go to the Learn Welsh website.  

Please seek your Line Manager’s permission prior to registration.  

The Work Welsh courses are funded by the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol and are free of charge.

Intensive Welsh Summer Course

Don’t forget the Intensive Welsh Summer Course, 2-27 August 2022. The course includes classes at all levels that will be held via Zoom. The course will fill up very quickly, so if you are interested, please register as soon as possible. 

Further information and registration details are available here. 

Professional Welsh Course  

You may also be interested in the Professional Welsh Course for one week from 8-12 August 2022 – a great opportunity for fluent Welsh speakers to improve their Welsh for professional use.

You may enrol for 4 weeks of intensive learning, or the first or second half of the course. The closing date to register on a course is 24 June 2022.

The University will cover your fee. Please email dysgucymraeg@aber.ac.uk for further details.

01.03.22 Nominations for the Aberystwyth University Welsh Language Awards 2022 are now open! 

The awards are an opportunity to recognise the inspiring contributions of members of staff and students in supporting the use of Welsh, and to celebrate the University’s bilingual ethos.

There are two awards for staff in the following categories:

• Exceptional Learner (for a member of staff who is learning Welsh to use in the workplace)
• Promoting Welsh in the Workplace (for a member of staff, Welsh speaker or non-Welsh speaker, who supports the use of Welsh in the workplace)

There are also two awards for students in the following categories:

• Welsh Medium Study Award (for a student who has shown an exceptional commitment to studying at least 40 credits through the medium of Welsh)
• Welsh Language Champion Award (for a student who makes an exceptional contribution to the Welsh language in the University and/or the local community)

The closing date is 31 March and the nomination form is on the Centre for Welsh Language Services’ website, please see the link below. 

https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/cgg/welsh-language-awards/ffurflen-enwebu/

If you know any staff members or students who are suitable for one of the above awards, please nominate them.

22.02.22  Understanding the Welsh Language Standards Training

The Centre for Welsh Language Services will be holding a short training session 'Understanding the Welsh Language Standards'. The 60 minute training session will be held via Microsoft Teams.

All staff are welcome but particularly new members of staff, staff responsible for front line services, or any member of staff with an interest in this area.

The Welsh-medium session will be held at 9.30am and the English-medium session at 11.30am.  Training will be held on the following dates:

• 28 February 2022
• 4 May 2022
• 12 July 2022

Register here: CPD Sessions (aber.ac.uk)  

For more information, contact canolfangymraeg@aber.ac.uk  or visit https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/cgg/

07.12.21  Welsh Language Rights Day

Next Tuesday, 7th December, the University will join organisations across Wales in supporting the Welsh Language Commissioner’s Welsh Language Rights Day.

Drop by the information stand at the IBERS Reception Desk Penglais Campus between 10.30am and 2.30pm for a chat and to ask any questions. Leaflets will also be available at Tamed Da during the day.

The Centre for Welsh Language Services is also holding a short training session, ‘Understanding the requirements of the Welsh Language Standards’.

All staff are welcome, but especially new members of staff, those who are responsible for frontline services, or any member of staff interested in this Welsh Language Policy.

The Welsh medium session is at 9:45am and the English medium session is at 11am. Please register here: https://stafftraining.aber.ac.uk

For more information, please email canolfangymraeg@aber.ac.uk or visit https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/cgg/

Every student has the right to submit written work and to sit an exam in Welsh on English medium modules (with the exception of modules where language is assessed)

This year many departments will have alternative arrangements for assessments. If your Semester 1 module includes:

• a formal exam
• an online exam with a limited submission period (3 days or less)

Please email canolfangymraeg@aber.ac.uk by 8 November 2021 if you wish to receive an examination paper in Welsh for an English medium module in Semester 1, confirming the following details:

• Your Name
• Your Department
• Module title and code

You do not need to let us know if you intend to sit your exam in English on an English medium module. You will receive your exam paper in English automatically. Also, you do not have to tell us in advance if you wish to submit assignments in Welsh on and English medium module

Aberystwyth University Welsh Language Awards 2021

Aberystwyth University has honoured individuals for their contribution to the Welsh language. 

The winners of the  are Kate Wright, Annette Edwards, Llŷr Tomos and Elin Roach after they were nominated by the University's staff and students.

As learners and first language Welsh speakers, students and staff, the four winners have been selected for the following awards:

• Exceptional Learner (Staff) – Kate Wright
• Promoting Welsh in the Workplace – Annette Edwards 
• Welsh Medium Study – Llŷr Tomos
• Welsh Language Champion (Student) – Elen Roach

Each of the winners will receive a personal ‘Englyn’ from either Professor Mererid Hopwood or Eurig Salisbury, both members of staff in the Department of Welsh and Celtic Studies at the University.

Aberystwyth University Staff Welsh Language Use Survey 2021

OPPORTUNITY TO WIN A £30 ARTS CENTRE VOUCHER

We need your feedback and ideas! Your voice is important.

I’m writing to invite you to participate in an online survey to measure the use of the Welsh language in the workplace.

As a bilingual institution, we are keen to support staff in using the Welsh language in the workplace.  We believe this is beneficial not only for our internal activities but also as part of the positive experience we provide for staff, students and the wider community. 

The results of this survey will provide a useful snapshot of current practices as well as an evidence base for activities to facilitate and promote the use of Welsh in the workplace and to help identify training needs and development opportunities. 

The questionnaire is open to everybody, non-Welsh speakers as well as Welsh speakers, and your answers will be completely anonymous.

The survey should take approximately 5-10 minutes for you to complete. Please click on the link below to complete the survey by 30 October 2021.

Welsh Survey

English Survey

After completing the survey you can enter a prize draw to win a £30 voucher to spend at the Arts Centre.

With thanks in advance for participating.