Diwrnod Shwmae Hapus – Doug's Welsh Learning Journey

Diwrnod Shwmae Hapus! Today, 15th October 2025, we celebrate Diwrnod Shwmae Day, which encourages everyone to give welsh a go, no matter their ability.

Doug, who works in the Communications and Engagement team for the Health Board, had been learning welsh for a while via DuoLingo and SaySomethingInWelsh, but was ready to practice his welsh in a real-life setting. He recently had the opportunity to attend a Welsh Language Course with some colleagues in North Wales.

Here’s what he had to say about his experience and his advice for anyone thinking of giving welsh a go:

“Learning a language has never quite stuck for me until now. I grew up in Pembrokeshire where learning Welsh as a child was not nurtured at the time I grew up in and I’ve always struggled to hold a good connection to learning Welsh as a language.

For me, after travelling abroad I came home to realise how important it was to me to be able to speak the language of our country. I also felt like it would be very useful. In my line of work in communications and engagement, the ability to translate English to Welsh is a sought-after skill in Wales.

Attending this intensive course was an unforgettable experience that changed my Welsh learning experience for the better, where I could live and breathe the welsh language.

Throughout the course, we built up our confidence in starting conversations and maintaining a chat with fellow course mates.

"They taught us the importance of learning key parts of the language, how important it was to understand it as a flowing spoken language and that you only get better by trying, making mistakes and keeping on going."

We also had the opportunity to immerse ourselves in welsh culture and landscapes, from enjoying musical entertainment from a local singer in Welsh, to visiting nearby towns and villages to experience the local culture and have a go at speaking the language. Before coming, I would not have had the confidence to start a conversation with a Welsh speaker but that certainly changed.

I was very thankful for my experience and I’ve continued to chat in Welsh regularly wherever possible. The experience has left me with a sense of possibility of where I can go if I follow the journey learning the Welsh language and I hope to begin formal qualifications in Welsh in the coming months.

If anybody’s thinking about it giving welsh a go, I’d say ewch amdani or go for it!”