Press Releases

Easily available to all through Amgueddfa Cymru — National Museum Wales's website at www.museumwales.ac.uk this web-published project has been developed in response to Iaith Pawb, the Welsh Assembly Government's action plan for a bilingual Wales, and has been co-funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and Amgueddfa Cymru — National Museum Wales.

Written and edited by Ann Jones and Elwyn Hughes of University of Wales Bangor's Department of Lifelong Learning, the pack includes guidance for tutors, worksheets for students and is especially written to reflect current language teaching strategies.

CAMAU CYMRAEG follows on from Llwybrau Llafar, a similar project launched at St Fagans: National History Museum two years ago. Both are examples of the important work undertaken in the post-16 education sector by Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales, as Ceri Black, Head of Education,explained:

"We hope that CAMAU CYMRAEG will enable students to learn Welsh while learning about Welsh history and industry. Like LLWYBRAU LLAFAR, it combines and utilises the unique experience of visiting one of our museums and its collections with the practical needs of tutors and students using exercises, demonstrations and conversation.’

Staff at the National Slate Museum have received training in assisting learners to develop their language skills, and during piloting tutors and students responded enthusiastically to both the materials and the concept of using the Museum as a language learning resource. For a number of students, their session was their first chance to practice their language skills outside the classroom in a naturally Welsh speaking environment.

Alun Pugh, Welsh Assembly Government Minister for Culture, Welsh Language and Sport welcomes this new resource:

"I personally appreciate the value of this project, as someone who has learnt Welsh as an adult. Its pioneering initiative fits in perfectly with Iaith Pawb, the Assembly's action plan for a bilingual Wales. Providing opportunities for people to use the language is vitally important, and I am sure that many learners will enjoy having the opportunity to brush up their language skills in the ideal setting of the National Slate Museum here at Llanberis."

Minister for Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills, Jane Davidson said:

"This is a fantastic opportunity for students to practice their language skills outside the classroom in a naturally Welsh speaking environment, while also learning about Welsh history and culture. Coming at the end of yet another successful Adult Learners' week, it reinforces our commitment to the lifelong learning agenda here in Wales."

The project can be downloaded from the pages.

Both the National Slate Museum and St Fagans: National History Museum are part of the Amgueddfa Cymru — National Museum Wales family, which includes seven national museums across Wales. The others are National Museum Cardiff, Big Pit: National Coal Museum, Blaenafon, the National Wool Museum, Dre-fach Felindre, the National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon and the National Waterfront Museum, Swansea.

Entry to all Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales museums is free, thanks to the support of the Welsh Assembly Government.

The event begins at 10.30 am for 11 am when the Minister arrives. Following an introduction to the pack, the Minister will join tutors and museum staff to find out more about the project.

For further information contact:

Julie Williams Marketing Officer, National Slate Museum on
(01286) 873707
E-mail Julie Williams

Celia Parri, Education officer, National Slate Museum
on 01286 873706
E-mail Celia Parri