The Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol aims to work with universities and Further Education colleges (including Work-Based Learning) in Wales to provide more opportunities for students to study through the medium of Welsh and to use the Welsh language socially.
More information about the Coleg can be found on its website https://www.colegcymraeg.ac.uk/en/
The branches are a key part of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol’s work as well as developing Welsh medium provision in universities and further education Colleges. The branches support the work of the Coleg and act as a local point of contact for students and staff. The Grŵp Llandrillo Menai Branch was established in September 2020 and serves all of the Grŵp's campuses. The Branch consists of four subcommittees, the subcommittees of Coleg Menai, Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor, Coleg Llandrillo and Busnes@. The language ability and roles of the members vary and include vice principals, programme area managers, lecturers, support workers etc., it is these differences that give a real picture of the language's positon and needs at each college. The subcommittees meet twice a term to discuss what is needed to increase the use of the Welsh language, be it learner support, staff provision, sharing resources, sharing good practice, discussing concerns or challenges. By working together, we can take action to address these challenges and support and promote the effective use of the Welsh language.
Grŵp Llandrillo Menai has two Branch Officers, Sara Edwards and Leusa Jones. Sara and Leusa's priorities are to support and increase the Grŵp's Welsh-medium provision and to organise a range of activities and events (both within courses and extra-curricular) to promote the use of the Welsh language socially. They strive to increase the Coleg Cymraeg's presence across the Grŵp and collaborate with staff and students to share ideas and good practice. The Branch Officer is the first contact between the Coleg Cymraeg and the Grŵp to ensure that the voice and opinions of staff and students are heard and acted upon. Sara and Leusa organise a variety of events and activities across the Grŵp. To find out what's going on, take a look at the learner enrichment calendar.
Sara Edwards - Coleg Llandrillo's Branch Officer
Leusa Jones - Coleg Menai anc Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor's Branch Officer
The Coleg has a Further Education and Apprenticeship Ambassadors scheme. The scheme aims to secure a network of ambassadors across further education institutions in Wales to promote the opportunities available to use the Welsh language and to study bilingually.
There are three Grŵp Llandrillo Menai's Further Education Ambassadors and one Apprentice Ambassador. They support the Branch Officers work and encourage their peers to study and socialize in Welsh, whatever their linguistic ability. To find out more about our Ambassadors or if you would like to apply to be part of this national scheme in the future, visit our social media pages.
At Grŵp Llandrillo Menai there are a number of opportunities to study bilingually or through the medium of Welsh on further education, higher education and apprenticeship courses. The courses pages on our website states what bilingual provision is available. Use the course finder to find out more.
There is a lot of support available for learners to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually at Grŵp Llandrillo Menai. The Grŵp has created a 'Support with Welsh' website, especially for students. On the website there is information about learners' rights to use Welsh, information about the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol and the Branch Officers, useful resources to help learners write in Welsh and bilingually as well as resources on a subject-by-subject basis.
Here is a link to the website - Support with the Welsh Language
Holly is a student at Coleg Llandrillo and a former Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol Student Ambassador, studying the NVQ Level 3 Hairdressing course. Holly speaks Welsh in the college with her tutors and occasionally clients who come into the salon.
Holly says:
"Studying bilingually is a great help to me as I can use both languages at the college. That helps me to keep my Welsh language skills because nobody at home speaks Welsh.
I feel proud that I can speak Welsh, so having the opportunity to use it and study at the College through the medium of Welsh is a great help”.
The Branch can also by followed on our social media pages:
If you would like more information about the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol's work within the Group, the opportunities available or join the Branch, Sara and Catrin would be pleased to hear from you.