Open University Beginners Welsh Course

[Badger Bob]

I just took a look at the Open University to find something for next year and found this:

Open University Welsh Language Course

Unfortunately I will be doing Exploring the Classical World but I might give this a bash in the future.

[Ailim]

I would like to learn Welsh, but am hopeless with languages. Would this course be suitable for me or would I be better trying one of the other courses available such as the Rosetta Stone courses (http://www.rosettastone.co.uk/personal/ ... sh/level-1)

It's a lot of money to spend, so I would like some guidance in best value for money and not end up learning something that turns out not to be genuine, if you know what I mean?

[Badger Bob]

Your best bet is to get in touch with the OU and ask them where they will be having a course choice event near you. They may be able to send sample course materials along for you to read through. There is also the Welsh Language board or something of a similar name that could advise you on the suitability.

[Cosmic Ash]

Hi Ailim!
I'm learning welsh from the BBC website http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/learnwelsh/bigwelshchallenge/
It's free and the best online learning resource I have found. Also it comes in either North or South versions, which is useful for me cos I want to learn 'North' and most courses seem to be mainly in 'South' (including the OU one - although they say they include some 'North').
Personally I have used Rosetta Stone and I found it wasn't really for me - you can download a sample from their website before you buy. http://www.rosettastone.co.uk/personal/demo
I have studied with the OU before (maths and psychology, not languages, though) and I can recommend their courses. The welsh course says it is suitable for complete beginners, but if you are nervous why not spend some time on a free course like the BBC one above, and then move onto the OU one?
Best wishes
CA

[Cosmic Ash]

Another quick thought while I was at work is that the OU course will give you credits towards a real qualification, and I think the course description said the Welsh course itself is equivalent to Foundation Level Welsh in Wales, but the Rosetta Stone course doesn't lead to any sort of recognized qualification.
But what you choose depends on what you are looking for, of course.....

[Elfina]

I am currently taking this course....

... are there any other takers hereabouts I wonder?

Elf

[Scylla]

Hi

I´ve had a look at the BBC course. What´s the difference between North and South Welsh?

[Heddwen]

Hi Scylla,

Different parts of Wales have different dialects and words, hence there are two courses to accommodate this.

[Scylla]

Ok.

Do you know of downloadable courses? something I can do slowly, as I´m studying a grade (plus starting Ovate) and I don´t have much time for other studies.

[Elfina]

Take a look at saysomethinginwelsh.com - they are step by step, natural language bites and have been gathering pace in learning welsh over the last two years.
Best of all - its FRE!!!!!! They do have subscription options but they are very reasonably prices, especially in view of the materials being so good.

Elf

[Scylla]

I will, thank you Elfina