A week of learning, walking and chatting on the Llŷn Peninsula.
Why did I go?
I've been wanting to speak Welsh confidently for a long time. Not just a few sentences, but enough words to talk about anything, and to write better too. So, when I saw a five-day Welsh course in Nant Gwrtheyrn, I signed up straight away.
I went alone. That felt a little scary at the time, but I needn't have worried. There were fourteen of us in the class, from all parts of Wales. By the end of the first morning, no one felt like a stranger.
Nant Gwrtheyrn is in an old quarry village, in a steep valley on the Llŷn Peninsula. The sea is below you, and the mountains around you. I stood outside for a minute just to look. The atmosphere was calm and welcoming.
Day in a Life
Breakfast was at 8:30, with plenty of choice. That's where the previous night's conversations resumed.
The lessons ran from 9:30 to 5:00. That sounds long, but it didn't feel long. There was a break every two hours, twenty minutes to get a cup of tea and something to eat, and a full hour at lunch time with sandwiches and snacks. Having a break was important. We were still speaking Welsh when no one was listening or marking.
The nights were free. I walked almost every night, down to the beach or up the hills. Then a shower, and bed by 10. I don't remember sleeping so well for years.
The Class
The lessons were fun and relaxed, but they also made us work. We worked on grammar, vocabulary and language’s rules. It's easy to avoid those things when learning on your own. But it’s difficult to avoid them in front of a tutor.
We also learned about the history of Wales and about Welsh poetry. That was my favorite part. Learning about the history of north Wales in Welsh in an old quarry village made the words feel different.
The best thing was the environment. No one felt stupid for making a mistake, which was exactly what I needed. By the middle of the week, I wasn't thinking in English before speaking.
The people
The people in the class came from across Wales, with everyone helping each other. We offered a word when someone was stuck and laughed at some mistakes. Conversations at lunch lasted a long time. I learned as much in those hours as in the lessons.
The place and wildlife
I can't write about the week without writing about the place. The mountains, the coast and the silence affected every day.
The animals roamed freely. There were goats on the slopes, sheep everywhere, and birds moving very quickly along the cliffs. One night, I saw what I think was a sea lion in the water. That was very special, as it was the first time I had seen something an animal like that in the wild.
That's why the week felt like more than a language course. The learning didn't stop at the classroom door.
Visiting Portmeirion
On Wednesday afternoon, we visited Portmeirion. We were welcomed by a guided tour and learned how the village was built. Walking through the place is a strange and wonderful experience. The buildings are colourful and set up the hill, with gardens, arches and domes. It looks like an Italian village in the middle of the Welsh woodland.
It was sunny and warm that day. We had a new topic of conversation on the way back, in Welsh of course.
The last day
I wasn't looking forward to the four-hour drive home. But I was looking forward to seeing my friends and family.
I felt glad that I had gone alone, and glad that I had spent five days speaking a language that I’d associate with being nervous. I’ve benefited from the experience.
Achievements of the week:
I’ve improved my Welsh language skills. More words, stronger grammar, and less delay in speaking. But I also met new friends. Going to a new place on your own and returning home confidently is such a valuable experience.
Nant Gwrtheyrn is a place that gives you the opportunity to learn without pressure, in a lovely place. If you have been putting off improving your Welsh, don't wait any longer.
Will I be going back? I will be going back. I'm already thinking about next time.