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Teacher inspires Welsh learning in school with 23 languages

Charlie Buckland
BBC News
BBC Carys Mugford smiles at the camera. She has brown short hair and a full fringe, She wears a white and blue printed blouse and a blue staff lanyard. BBC
Teacher Carys Mugford learned Welsh within a year to help encourage staff and pupils at St David's Primary School

A teacher has learned Welsh in a year to help inspire pupils, who already speak more than 20 languages between them.

Carys Mugford, of St David's Primary School, in Swansea, said despite not being a Welsh speaker when she took up the role as Welsh co-ordinator, she felt compelled to learn it.

Ms Mugford admitted the school's location in a predominantly English-speaking area initially made it "really hard" to encourage pupils and staff to speak the language.

It is not uncommon for pupils to hear new languages though - there are about 23 spoken by children at the school, and 70% speak English as an additional language at school.

Ms Mugford said learning the language had changed her life, and opened up a whole new world for her.

And pupils have gone from not knowing what the Urdd Eisteddfod was, to taking to the stage in Margam Park, Port Talbot, at this year's event.

They started rehearsals in February to compete, sacrificing their lunch hour every day to practice.

The Urdd Eisteddfod is held every year at different locations across Wales, usually to coincide with the spring half term, bringing youngsters together to compete in categories including music, literature and performing arts.

Ms Mugford said it has been so important for the school's pupils to learn about why the Urdd youth movement was established, the history of the Welsh language, and the struggles it has faced.

(L-R) Emanuel, 10, Amelie, 10, Olanna, 9. They all smile at the camera stood inside a school hall.
Pupils of St David's Primary Catholic School are participating at the Urdd Eisteddfod for the very first time this year

"Lots of our children are new to Wales, some may have been here a couple of months, some just a couple of years," she said.

Ms Mugford said the children are at all different levels with their Welsh language, but the process has welcomed them into Welsh culture.

She added: " "I really think it's important that children from diverse backgrounds see that the Urdd is relevant to them and they belong in Wales as well.

"These children from other cultures have so much to offer us, it's really important they feel welcome and a part of Welsh life as well."

Olanna, 10, said before the school planned to enter the Urdd Eisteddfod, she "didn't really know anything about Wales, even though I was born here".

Also performing, Amelie, 10, described the performance as a "once in a lifetime opportunity" as she loves to dance and perform.

She added the school loves them to learn Welsh, and she will find it "really exciting" to hear everyone speaking Welsh around them.

The school has made it to the finals for their dance performance, but Amelie said: "We've been told we go in as winners and we go out as winners no matter what."

Photograph of pupils at St David's catholic school. They all stand in a row in a park.
There are 23 different languages spoken at St David's Catholic Primary School, with many taking up Welsh for the first time this year

Speaking at the festival, singer and BBC Wales radio presenter, Bronwen Lewis, said it is "wonderful" to welcome the festival to her home county of Neath Port Talbot.

"We've got industry, we've got nature, and of course, talent and I can't wait to see it on the stage today," she said.

Bronwen, from Seven Sisters, admitted she still makes mistakes speaking the language even now, despite speaking Welsh from the age of four.

She said it is important to encourage Welsh learners to use whatever little Welsh they have.

"Welsh learners are so important, I always want to give them the appreciation they deserve," she said.

"Use whatever Welsh you've got, even if it's to order a coffee today. If you don't use it, you lose it."

Bronwen said the Eisteddfod is helping get people talking about the Welsh language, and encouraging English-speaking visitors.

One of those being Bronwen's partner, who visited the Eisteddfod for the very first this week and left "looking like the Urdd man himself" she said.

"Going to an English medium school, he said he didn't know this was on our footsteps the whole time," she said.

"All language does is open doors."

Urdd Lloyde Wolfe pictured smiling at the camera. He has brown hair, brown eyes and is in his teens. He wears a black t-shirt and there is a blurred hedge behind him. Urdd
Lloyde Wolfe won Young Learner 2025 at the Urdd Eisteddfod on Wednesday

On Wednesday, the Urdd Eisteddfod celebrated Welsh learners with a variety of competitions and prizes.

The Bobi Jones Medal for learners aged 19 to 25 was awarded to Joe Morgan, from Cardiff, and the Young Learners Medal was given to Lloyd Wolfe, also from Cardiff.

University student Joe said he joined a Welsh society to help his skills, and has since started posting Welsh language videos online on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.

"My journey learning Welsh has enabled me to appreciate and love the language and its culture, and I'm so grateful for every door the language has opened for me," he said.

Speaking of his win, A-Level student Lloyd said he felt the Welsh language has had a "huge impact" on his life, as he uses it in every aspect of his life.

The competitions reward those who have shown commitment to learning Welsh, take pride in their Welshness and is able to hold a conversation in Welsh.