Lecturers tour Wales

Lecturers from Cardiff University’s School of Welsh have spent time during the past month travelling all across Wales holding Masterclasses for sixth form students.

This is the second year that the School has run the Masterclasses. The intention behind the classes is to support and assist year 12 and 13 pupils who are studying Welsh with language and literature workshops based on current curriculum content.

Sessions were held during November under the direction of Dr Angharad Naylor, Admissions Tutor at the School of Welsh.

The first event was held in Ysgol Bro Teifi on 8 November. Dr Naylor and Dr Llion Pryderi Roberts discussed grammar and interpreting poetry with a cohort of pupils from schools across the catchment area. Dr Siwan Rosser held a workshop for year 13 pupils on analysing an unfamiliar text while Dr Naylor discussed Dafydd ap Gwilym with the same pupils.

Ysgol David Hughes was the setting for the second event on 10 November with pupils from local schools. Dr Iwan Wyn Rees led a grammar workshop while the poet Karen Owen ran an amusing workshop on poetry. Year 13 pupils were given workshops on analysing a text with Dr Lisa Sheppard while Professor Sioned Davies gave a workshop on the fairytale of Branwen.

Dr Naylor said: “It is very important that we take advantage of opportunities to support pupils who are studying Welsh. The Masterclasses offer an excellent opportunity for pupils from a range of different schools to come together to study, and listen to useful ideas and advice that will benefit them during their A-level studies. The workshops also give staff the opportunity to share their expertise and recent research in a number of fields while promoting Welsh as a discipline in the hope that some of the pupils will look to continue studying Welsh in the future.

“There are many exciting opportunities for students who choose to follow a degree in Welsh and there is increasing demand for graduates with Welsh language skills. By choosing to study Welsh at University students will have the opportunity to follow a varied and exciting programme that combines many different fields and themes such as language planning, translation, identity, culture and literature.”

During November Dr Naylor also visited Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera-Bro Dur and Ysgol Gyfun Bryntawe and is looking forward to meeting more pupils in the New Year.

Dr Naylor added: “All of the staff enjoy going on tour. It has been wonderful to work with the pupils, witness their enthusiasm in the classroom and support them in their studies.”

The tour continues in the coming weeks with lecturers set to hold Masterclasses at Ysgol y Strade (19 December) and Ysgol Plasmawr (20 December).

For more information, contact Cadi Thomas.