Experienced and Qualified Welsh tutor teaching everyone from beginners to advanced students within Welsh for adults and GCSE levels.

Find out more about Shane

• 1) Do you speak this language fluently because of your origins or because a teacher inspired you to learn?

  - My family come from Llanelli and Caerfyddin (Carmarthenshire) so I've always had some Welsh but never spoke it due to being brought up in Risca (South East Wales. I decided that I would like to pursue Welsh as I have always loves the language and believe passionately that the language should be spoken throughout Wales.
  
  I officially started studying through Canolfan Cymraeg i Oedolion (Centre for learning Welsh) in 2017 by following the fast track courses and used my spare time to go to other meet ups to perfect my Welsh. I am currently studying Welsh to degree level at Bangor university. Learning Welsh is definately my biggest every achievement.

• 2) Can you name a living, historical or fictional character that you think is the emblematic representative of the language's culture?

  The stories of the Mabinogi are very interesting to show their impact on the Welsh language and Culture.

• 3) Is there a typical word, phrase, tradition or behaviour in the language that you particularly like?'

  Hiraeth - It doesn't have a direct translation to English but it describes a longing for something or someone.

• 4) Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  Welsh is a huge culture of Wales and now has small Welsh speaking communities in various places across the globe. It is important that we keep the language as well as our traditions alive.

• 5) What is the main difficulty in learning this language and what can help the process of learning?

  Grammar is one thing that people struggle with when learning a new language and the grammar is particulary different to English. The easiest way for me was to try and not to compare the languages. The more languages someone speaks the easier it will become. I think once you start to learn the structure of the language then it will become so much easier to learn the rest of the language.

• 6) Provide a valuable anecdote related to your language learning or your days at school.

  Never mix up the words rhew and rhyw. Need I say more.

• 7) How has travel or a specific trip helped you to increase your skill and knowledge of the language?

  I've attended a few residential courses which are very helpful to learn as you'd be immersed in the language.

• 8) What makes you a Superprof in language?

  As I have learnt the language myself, I have a very good grasp of the grammar and am able to break the language down to others. I'm also able to put my students in touch with various events to practise (most of which are free of charge as they are funded organisations).
  
  I work at the pace that is best for my students and will do my utter best to get them to the level they desire whether they are learning as a hobby or wish to reach proficiency at a faster level.
  
  I currently have a number of regular students who've been with me since starting and it give me great joy to see how much I've taught them since they started their Welsh language journey with me.