Today, Rhun ap Iorwerth AM joined Mudiad Meithrin in launching the second wave of free Welsh language courses at the National Assembly for Wales, following a successful pilot scheme earlier this year.

The scheme, called Clwb Cwtsh, is a course using games and songs to introduce the Welsh language to parents of young children. A joint project between Mudiad Meithrin and the National Centre for Learning Welsh, the project was first launched as a pilot in February this year and saw more than 500 people completing the course.

The eight-week, Clwb Cwtsh courses are for parents, carers and prospective parents, who are welcome to bring their children with them, as Mudiad Meithrin provides entertainment for the youngsters.

Courses are available in 76 locations across Wales during October with another course proposed for early 2019.

Rebecca East and her mother Jenny Hume from Cardiff attended their first Clwb Cwtsh sessions earlier this year with Jenny’s eight-month-old and 4-year-old daughters. Rebecca’s eldest daughter had been attending Cylch Meithrin at the local Welsh-medium school and Rebecca wanted to be able to converse with her in Welsh, so she took the plunge to get up to speed with her daughter. She said: “I thought to myself that starting from the beginning with my children could be the answer for me.”

Making new friends, having fun and learning some basic words, were the main benefits for Rebecca and Jenny. Now they both make sure to practice at home with the children through singing songs and reading Welsh books.

Rebecca added: “I’d recommend Clwb Cwtsh sessions to anyone thinking of learning Welsh, especially those with young children. Learning a second language at an early age is so good for children’s brains and it’s great that we can learn alongside them too. Welsh is a fun language and is all around us.”

Dr Gwenllian Lansdown Davies, Chief Executive of Mudiad Meithrin said: “I’m delighted that we’re here today to launch the second series of ‘Clwb Cwtsh’. Since we started earlier this year, we have received a great response across Wales. The fact that children can come to the sessions with their families has been welcomed. We are looking forward to seeing the project grow at grass roots level.”

For more information on Clwb Cwtsh sessions in your area, visit www.meithrin.cymru/clwb-cwtsh