Press Releases

Llwybrau Llafar is an innovative new learning project designed to enable tutors of Welsh to use the Museum of Welsh Life as an exciting and accessible resource for adult learners. Whilst the National Museums & Galleries of Wales (NMGW) are well known for their education work with children and young people, Llwybrau Llafar is an example of the important work undertaken in the post 16 education sector.

The first project of its kind in Europe, Llwybrau Llafar utilises the unique experience of visiting the Museum of Welsh Life, its collections, re-erected buildings and expert staff with the practical needs of tutors and students from all over Wales. Using Llwybrau Llafar, tutors and staff will be able to practice their Welsh and travel through Welsh history in a flexible programme of events and dates whilst enjoying the relaxed yet invigorating 104 acre site with exercises, demonstrations and conversation.

Easily accessible to all through NMGW's website at
http://www.nmgw.ac.uk/education/llwybrau, 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 received £20,000 funding from ELWA to which NMGW provided match-funding in kind. Written by Cennard Davies and edited by Helen Prosser, the pack includes guidance for tutors, worksheets for students and has been especially written by these two seasoned experts reflecting current language teaching strategies.

Alun Pugh, Welsh Assembly Government Minister for Culture, Welsh Language and Sport welcomes this new resource: "As a student of the Welsh language, I can really appreciate the value of this project which teaches Welsh through learning more about our history and culture. This pioneering initiative fits in perfectly with Iaith Pawb, the Assembly's action plan for a bilingual Wales. I am sure that Welsh learners will take the opportunity to brush up their language skills in the ideal setting of St Fagan's."

Ceri Black, Head of Education at NMGW sees the project as a new way of teaching language through history:

"Relevant staff at the Museum of Welsh Life have received training in assisting learners to develop their language skills including museum assistants, curatorial staff and members of the Education Department. 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 the first opportunity that they had ever received to practice their language skills outside the classroom in a naturally Welsh speaking environment.

"Students also value the opportunity to learn about Welsh history and culture in the process of improving their learning skills. We are extremely proud to present this web-project to tutors and hope that the Museum of Welsh Life will enable students to learn about Welsh history whilst learning the Welsh language," she added.

The event starts at 11.00am and the Ministers will arrive at 11.30 am. Following an introduction to the pack, the Ministers will join a group of 8 learners as they put the pack into practice at the Cilewent farmhouse. Entry to the Museum is free, thanks to the support of the Welsh Assembly Government.