In Pembrokeshire we have three dedicated Welsh Language Centers for primary school children who have recently moved to the area or who would like to move to Welsh-medium education. The centres provide support for latecomers to acquire the Welsh language to enable them to have full access to and participate in Welsh-medium education. Our Language Centres are located in the secondary schools of the clusters, one at Ysgol Bro Gwaun in Fishguard, one at Ysgol Bro Preseli in Crymych, and one at Ysgol Caer Elen in Haverfordwest. They are staffed by a qualified teacher that have a specific skill set as linguists, and are excellent linguistic role models
New Challenge! Learn Welsh!
Would you like your child to have access to Welsh-medium education? It's not too late. If you have recently moved to the area or if you would like your child to transfer to Welsh-medium education, your child can have support from our Language Centres.
The Welsh language opens doors…
What provision does the Language Centre offer?
The Language Centre's provision includes two courses for pupils:
Latecomers Course
(Two days a week)
Pupils who are completely new to Welsh education will begin their journey by following the Latecomers Course. The focus of this two-day course is mainly to offer intensive intervention to the pupils through language immersion methods with a strong focus on developing the pupils’ oracy skills . During this first year, the pupils are introduced to vocabulary and patterns which are key to enabling them to communicate confidently orally and to have full access to their education in the Welsh stream.
Progression Course
(One day a week)
During the second year of the course, the foundation of skills the pupils acquire in the first year is built upon, paying increasing attention to further promoting literacy skills through wider reading and extended writing.
Staff use a wide range of teaching methods to support the development of pupils' oral, reading and writing skills. The Language Centre staff also communicate regularly with the latecomers' schools and their parents to discuss the pupils' progress.
What are the benefits of learning Welsh for my child?
- Research shows that children who understand more than one language can think more flexibly and creatively.
- Bilingual children often develop other skills faster than children who only speak one language and they often do better at school and in exams.
- There are economic benefits when your child is looking for a job, as more and more jobs in Wales require bilingual skills.
- It can help build bridges between generations, if grandparents and relatives speak Welsh.
- It gives the opportunity to experience two different cultures, two worlds of experience.
- It can help give people a sense of belonging.
- Two thirds of the world's children are bilingual. . . Do you want your child to be one of the majority?
Click here to learn more about Welsh-medium education
What are the parents saying?
"Our result has been positive as we have been amazed by how quickly our daughter's grasp of the Welsh language has progressed in less than a year. Not only that, she has settled into her new school better than we could have ever expected, and that is due to the supportive, friendly nature of the school where all the children are respected." - Maria
"Our children transferred to a Welsh-medium school two years ago and thanks to the Language Centre and the excellent teaching, they are now fully conversant in Welsh. The whole experience has been a totally positive one, especially as their understanding of Welsh was very limited when they first joined." - Andrew and Mandy
- All pupils start the journey at the same level - they are all newcomers to the language
- An opportunity to learn the language in a friendly and stimulating atmosphere
- An opportunity to take advantage of the excellent resources and facilities of the secondary schools
- One teacher, one subject promotes rapid learning
- It will support the transition process from primary school to secondary school
- Class numbers are unlikely to exceed 14
- The Centre is funded by Pembrokeshire Education Services - there is no cost to you
Come and learn more about our Language Centres
Pembrokeshire Language Centres play a key role in promoting the Welsh language and take part in maintaining the culture and identity of Pembrokeshire. Attending a Language Centre will lay a strong foundation for your child in the Welsh language in order to fully benefit from the experiences and benefits of bilingual education.
Select your local Language Centre to learn more and to access supporting resources.
