Celebrating Sabbatical Scheme success

Cardiff University’s School of Welsh welcomed Sabbatical Scheme for Welsh Language Training participants to the annual awards presentation on Thursday 13 October 2016.

Held at the University’s Aberdare Hall, Ian Gwyn Hughes, Head of Public Affairs at the Football Association of Wales, acted as the evening’s host.

More than 50 practitioners were in attendance and the evening was an opportunity to celebrate their success and present the 2015-16 with their certificates of achievement.

The Sabbatical Scheme for Welsh Language Training offers language courses for primary and secondary school teachers, classroom assistants and lecturers in the English and Welsh sectors. The aim of the courses, which are funded by Welsh Government, is to increase the supply of practitioners who can teach through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. The courses also provide an opportunity for continual specialist professional development in the field of education.

Lowri Davies, the Sabbatical Scheme’s Manager in Cardiff, said: “The awards evening is always such a wonderful occasion, an opportunity to acknowledge the achievements of the practitioners and giving them the chance to come together and socialise through the medium of Welsh. I always feel a tremendous sense of pride to hear the practitioners speaking Welsh with such confidence.”

The Sabbatical Scheme courses are available at several language levels in locations across Wales. Cardiff University’s School of Welsh is responsible for providing courses in Mid-South Wales and South East Wales. Courses are offered at beginner, entry and upper levels with classes. The courses are free and the Welsh Government covers supply costs for releasing teachers, assistants and lecturers so that they can develop their language skills.

For more information about the Sabbatical Scheme, please contact Cadi Thomas.