In June 2023, Ysgol Sadwrn began with a simple purpose: to provide a dedicated space for children living outside Wales to learn, enjoy, and stay connected to the Welsh language. Three years later, that initial idea has turned into a vibrant online community. Today, Ysgol Sadwrn connects young learners from a great number of countries to share a curiosity about the language and, often, to support the deep personal connection they have with Wales.
For many of our families, learning Welsh is part of a broader story. A child might have a Welsh-speaking parent, or grandparents living in Wales, or family roots that go back generations. Learning a language is about much more than remembering vocabulary and grammatical rules. A single word can open a door, a story can illuminate the landscape, and a phrase can bridge the geographical gap. At Ysgol Sadwrn, language learning runs alongside discovering our culture through our people, our history, our traditions, and iconic events that give the language a rich context.
Our core curriculum is designed around six-lesson units that help children explore different aspects of life, heritage, and history in Wales. For example, our next new unit, Cyflymder (Speed), discovers incredible events in Welsh history, like when John Parry-Thomas set the speed record on Pendine Sands in 1926 while driving his famous car, Babs. By weaving real Welsh history, places, and legends into our teaching, lessons become an exciting journey into Welsh culture rather than just a language class.
Every learner’s path is unique, and that is why our offering has expanded to accommodate different ages, learning styles, and goals. For our young little learners aged between 4 and 6, we offer shorter 30-minute interactive sessions using hwiangerddi, caneuon a straeon (nursery rhymes, songs, and stories) to introduce Welsh through rhythm, play, and repetition. Older pupils have joined our Writing Clubs and Reading Clubs, which are dedicated clubs where learners can develop their skills creatively and build literacy confidence. We also offer 1:1 tuition specifically personalized to a child’s ability and needs, whether a complete beginner or a fluent speaker wanting to refine their skills. We offer flexible provision that fits family schedules. By now, we also regularly work alongside families who home-educate in Wales through their local authorities.
If you are looking for individual, family, or local community group support, we can design a course especially for you.
You can explore our offering on our website ysgolsadwrn.cymru and in the Ysgol Sadwrn SumUp shop. If you cannot find what you need, please get in touch with us by email to discuss: sioned.rees-jones@ysgolsadwrn.cymru
