Welsh pronunciation workshop

  • £55 | Saturday 30th November 2024

  • Online (Zoom) | 10:00-13:00 (Western European Time)

What’s covered?

Part 1:
Vowels

Part 3:
Common errors

  • Monophtongs

  • Diphtongs

Think that Welsh only has the vowels A, E, I, O, U, W, Y? Think again! Written vowels only represent a handful of the possible vowel sounds of the language. In the first part of the workshop we’ll use visual prompts to illustrate the difference between all the single vowel sounds of Welsh. We’ll look at long and short vowels (contrasting pairs of words like glan and glân) before looking at how vowels combine to make diphthongs (or “moving vowels) such as wy, eu and yw.

“Emphasise the second to last syllable”

If your tutor has told you something like this in class, they’ve got your barking up the wrong tree. Stress in English and Welsh is produced is different ways. In this part of the workshop we’ll learn what and where stress is in Welsh.

’ll get you to understand the difference between English and Welsh stress by comparing pairs of words in the two languages.

We’ll also look at how irregular stress is marked in writing.

Part 2:
Word stress

The errors in your pronunciation can probably be divided into two types:

  • wrong sound selected

  • interference from English

It can be useful to know where the error is coming from in order to tackle the pronunciation problem. In this section we’ll look at a long list of words which usually contain common pronunciation errors. We’ll identify the error and then work together to categorise and correct it.

You’ll now have practised saying lots of individual sounds in abstraction and also in isolated words. It’s now time to put all of this together and read some extended passages aloud.

You can choose to read a paragraph solo or team up with another learner to read a dialogue together.

You can complete this part of the workshop during the session and/or submit a recording of yourself (+ your partner) after the workshop. In both cases you’ll receive individualised feedback from me in the form of an audio recording with corrective feedback and more examples to work on.

Part 4:
Extended practice

Next workshop:

Saturday 30th Nov. 2024
10:00-13:00

Cwestiynau…

  • This workshop is suitable for all levels from Mynediad right through to Uwch and beyond. I always have a good mix of proficiencies on these workshops. If you're looking to improve your pronunciation, this is the session for you!

    However, the session isn't suitable for complete beginners. You should have actively studied Welsh activity for at least 1 term (approximately 10 weeks) or have equivalent experience. You should have some insight into your own pronunciation struggles and be at least passively familiar with the sounds of Welsh.

  • Click here to head to the booking page!

  • This live workshop will take place on Zoom.

    Setting up your device: You should use a pair of headphones or earphones to avoid generating feedback whilst in the Zoom session and breakout rooms. The session will be live from 09:50 allowing you to log in and test your device (find out how to do this here: Testing audio before Zoom Meetings).

    You should also turn off the Zoom microphone filter (noise suppression) to allow me to hear the sounds you are producing more clearly (find out how to do this here: Using noise suppression for Zoom Rooms)

    Please be mindful of background noise. Try and find a quiet place to sit and mute yourself when coughing or talking to people who aren’t on our Zoom call.  

    Viewing the activity sheets: You’ll need to see the activity sheets sent to your before the workshop. You should set up your computer so that you can see Zoom and the activity sheets (on Padlet or using a PDF reader) at the same time or be able to flick between the two.

    Alternatively you can view the activity sheets on a second device or print them out before the workshop.

  • Both! We'll be focussing on those sounds which are common to both varieties of Welsh and which distinguish the meanings of words.

    We will take a look at the northern u- sound, wrth gwrs.

    However, I am from the south :)

  • Well... almost. We'll take a 10-15 mins break mid-way through :)

  • Don't worry! Everyone attending the session is there to work on their pronunciation. I make sure we set ground rules for a fun, supportive and informative workshop.

    Mistakes are absolutely welcome, in fact they are essential. If everyone came brimming with confidence and making few mistakes, there'd be no point in the workshop!

    If you have any concerns or want to check that this is the right session for you, get in touch using this form :)

  • The workshop fee is non-refundable. However, if you can't attend you can still have access to the resources and recordings.

    Depending on availability, you can also receive 50% off your next workshop booking OR 50% off your next 1:1 Welsh tuition booking with me.