Cwrs Cymraeg Report - 1992

Details: Written by: John Otley; Category: Cyffredinol - General; Published: 04 February 2011; Hits: 1384

Cwrs Cymraeg Waukesha, 1992

The words of lead teacher Clive Rowlands say it all. 'Arbennig iawn' is how he described Cwrs Cymraeg Waukesha, which took place at Carroll College from July 25 to August 2, 1992.

It was indeed a 'very special' course, and not just because it provided an additional seventh day of teaching compared to previous courses. The facilities were excellent, the organization was smooth-running, the students (over 60 of them from all over North America) were enthusiastic, the quality of instruction was top-class, and the atmosphere was warm and friendly.

The course began on the Saturday, with an evening wine-and-cheese reception. Teaching began at 8:30 the following morning and continued with breaks for coffee and lunch through until 2:15. This was to be the pattern each day, with the remainder of most afternoons devoted to a dosbarth-ar-y-cyd (joint class) and a choice of language-related activities.

Accompanying Clive Rowlands were two other teachers from Wales, Alun Ifans and Ken Kane. Though both were new to Cwrs Cymraeg, they took to it like ducks to water and were instant hits. Whether it was Alun's manic enthusiasm (in leading the folk dancing) or Ken's idiosyncratic sense of humour (when he lectured on Welsh place names), they ensured that there was never a dull moment.

The faculty included one other newcomer, Mair Wyn Jones from Ontario, who had earlier taught on the Oakville short course in March, and whose piano skills proved invaluable throughout the week. The other teachers were veterans Paul Birt, Alun Hughes, and Hefina Phillips.

Between them, the teachers provided instruction for all levels of learner, with emphasis on the spoken language. There was also a special class in advanced language skills -- reading, writing, listening, comprehension and grammar, as well as speaking -- for the intermediate and higher levels taught by Alun Hughes.

The joint classes at mid-afternoon featured presentations by teachers and students on various aspects of Welsh language and culture, and the activitiy sessions that followed, each led by a different teacher, provided a choice between such diverse topics as Welsh music, basic grammar, the evoluation of the Welsh langauge, reading and preparing the course newspaper Wn i Ddim.

There was also a course choir, which practised diligently in the late afternoon under the capable direction of Geraint Wilkes, a member of the local organizing committee and a renowned tenor in his own right.

No Cwrs Cymraeg is complete without its extra-curricular activities, and Cwrs Cymraeg Waukesha was exceptional in this respect. Events kicked off on Sunday afternoon with a fascinating bus tour of historical Welsh sites in Waukesha County, including the village of Wales itself.

The remaining activities all took place in the evenings, and included Welsh-language videos, a boat trip on Lake Michigan, a twmpath dawns (folk dance), a treasure hunt, and a pub night in the Budweiser Pavilion at the State Fair Grounds, with refreshments courtesy of Anheuser-Busch. Pub night entertainment was provided by Geraint Wilkes, the Glen Ghillies music group, the Awel y Ddraig dance group directed by Beth Herbert, and -- a special treat -- an 'alternative' dance group made up of the male teachers.

The climax of the course, as always, was the noson lawen on Saturday night, culminating in the presentation of the chair to the winning bard. This year's winner, and a very popular one, was Cheryl Mitchell from Washington. Winners of the competitions for intermediate and beginning students were Anne Smith and John Ellis respectively. The course closed on the Sunday morning with a worship servcie led by David Davis. The course is also the time when the board of Cymdeithas Madog holds its annual deliberations. At the Waukesha meetings, Hefina Phillips was elected President, Paul Birt Vice-President, Hugh Davis Treasurer, and John Otley Secretary. Bill Clarke and Evan Parker retired as directors, both after many years of service, and Marjorie Griffith and Loretta Close were elected to replace them.

That Cwrs Cymraeg Waukesha was such a success was due in no small part to JoAnne Simon and her team of local organizers, Russ Evans, Margaret Glasgwyn, Beth Simon and Geraint Wilkes. Thanks are due to these, and also to the British Council and the National Welsh-American Foundation for financial support.

Cwrs Cymraeg Report - 1994

Details: Written by: John Otley; Category: Cyffredinol - General; Published: 09 February 2011; Hits: 1384

Cwrs Cymraeg Baltimore, 1994

Cwrs Cymraeg Baltimore a'r Fro at Towson State College was another hit. Participants of this year's cwrs were again treated to the varied teaching styles of the instructors from Wales.

Alun Ifans of Dyfed and headmaster of a primary school brought his enthusiasm as well as his special sense of style. Those who were in his class were treated to his version of "Welsh Aerobics."

Ken Kane, an architect from Cardiff, brought with him his unique sense of humor and his ability to teach through the medium of sarcasm, certainly a new approach to learning a langauge, but a successful one.

Lead teacher Clive Rowlands, also from Cardiff, teaches Welsh to adults. Clive, who was with us for an unprecedented five consecutive years, was the calming force in the sea of unexpected occurrences.

The teaching team also included a North American contingency. From Ottawa, Ontario, we had Paul Birt; from Bloomington, Indiana, we had Marta Weingartner; and from Atlanta, Georgia, we had Hefina Phillips.

The teachers, as usual, worked very hard to accommodate the learning styles of a varied group of students. The formal language classes filled the morning and early afternoon hours, and the informal programs were offered in the late afternoons and evenings. The informal events included music, dance, and videos from Wales, as well as a panel discussion on the status of the Welsh language.

Along with the week-long language classes came two tours of the local area. There was a trip through Towson and part of Baltimore to the Inner Harbor. Dr. Eugene Owen of Baltimore gave a guided tour. His expansive knowledge of the area made the trip very educational and extremely interesting. After visiting the Inner Harbor, the tour continued to Fort McHenry where a short film showed the history of the fort and the writing of The Star Spangled Banner offshore during the naval battle there. It was pointed out specially that the original 15-strip flag was woven of Welsh wool. After touring the fort, a picnic in the rain preceded the return to the college in song led by Danny Proud of Minnesota.

The second trip led through the countryside to Delta, Pennsylvania, with a brief stop at the Mason-Dixon line, and the Old Line Museum with its six-foot hand-carved slate clock. The Museum in Delta chronicles the history of the area, with its close Welsh associations with clothing, documents, and tools. The tour also included Delta's old slate jail, and the churchyard where many Welsh immigrants are buried underneath grave-stones carved in slate. Rehoboth Chapel in Delta treated the cwrs tourees to a delightful dinner made by the Ladies Aid Society. After dinner, there was a gymanfa ganu with inspired singing that was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone there.

Back at Towson State College, Saturday evening everyone retired to Auburn House for a wonderful dinner. Afterwards, students participated in a noson lawen unlike anything seen in Wales, or anywhere else. It was definitely a unique mixture of the sublime and the ridiculous. Included was a tribute to Gone with the Wind in honor of the 1995 Cwrs in Atlanta. The noson lawen led into the adjudications of the cwrs eisteddfod, and the chairing of this year's bard. Bob Roser's winning prose was written on the theme Pe bawn i... (If I were...).

The week ended with Sunday morning worship, the service given in memory of Larry Williams, a Baltimore resident and past cwrs participant, who had died during the year. After the service, very emotional good-byes were said with promises to see everyone again at next year's cwrs in Atlanta.

Cwrs Cymraeg Report - 1996

Details: Written by: John Otley; Category: Cyffredinol - General; Published: 09 February 2011; Hits: 1300

Cwrs Cymraeg Y Mynydd Glas, 1996

Roedd cyrraedd Poultney, Vermont, fel cyrraedd Cymru i'r pedwar athro o Gymru a oedd newydd dreulio rhai dyddiau yn ninas wallgo Efrog Newydd.

Y wlad yn y lle cyntaf: gwlad fryniog, a'r golygfeydd yn ymestyn yn bell; tomen ambell chwarel lechi'n dringo'r llechweddau uchwben y llynnoedd llonydd... Y prif wahaniaeth yn y wlad oedd diffyg cloddiau, a mwy o goed.

A phentref Poultney ei hun: er ei fod yn bentref tawel, braf, yn nodweddiadol o bentrefi hyfryd LLoegr Newydd, roedd yma ddigon o olion bywyd Cymraeg byrlymus blynyddoedd a fu. Roedd y Ddraig Goch yn chwifio o flaen ambell dy, llechi Cymreig eu golwg ar do ambell dy, capeli Cymreig yma a thraw, ambell un o'r hen drigolion yn dal i siarad Cymraeg, a'r mynwentydd yn llawn o feddau rhai a anwyd yng ngogledd Cymru.

Nid cyd-ddigwyddiad oedd hyn oll, wrth gwrs. Yma y cynhaliwyd y cwrs Cymraeg cyntaf, ugain mlynedd yn ol, wrth i ymwybyddiaeth am y dreftadaeth Gymreig a Chymraeg gael ei deffro ymhlith rhai o'r trigolion wedi gwaith a wnaed gan rai yn y Green Mountain College.

Manteisiodd y cwrs eleni ar y cysylltiadau Cymreig yn yr ardal, a dyma oedd un o'r agweddau mwyaf diddorol i'r athrawon o Gymru. Cynhaliwyd Cymanfa Ganu yn y Capel Presbyteraidd Cymreig, a threuliwyd awr ddiddan yn astudio'r casgliad llyfrau Cymraeg a'r arddangosfa yn y Coleg ei hun. Ymwelwyd ag amgueddfa lechi newydd, lle y sgyrsiwyd a William Williams, hen chwarelwr sydd bellach yn grefftwr llwyau caru, ac aethpwyd ar daith o gwmpas chwareli, mynwentydd a chapeli'r ardal.

Am fod rhyw 75 o fyfyrwyr wedi ymuno a'r cwrs eleni, roedd modd i bedwar athro ddod draw o Gymru. Mae tri ohonynt - Heini Gruffudd, Mark Stonelake a Steve Morris - yn dysgu cyrsiau Cymraeg i oedolion gyda Phrifysgol Cymru Abertawe. Emyr Davies, gwr dawnus sy'n dysgu yng ngholeg y Drinidod, Caerfyrddin, oedd y pedwerydd. Ymunodd tri athro o America a hwy - Marta Weingartner-Diaz o Indianapolis, Paul Birt o Ottawa, ac Alun Hughes o Ontario.

Trefnwyd rhaglen lawn o ddysgu - rhyw 4.5 awr y dydd, gan ddechrau am hanner awr wedi wyth y bore. Trefnwyd y dysgwyr yn chwe lefel, o ddechreuwyr i rai rhugl. Wedi'r dysgu, cynhaliwyd bob prynhawn nifer o weithgareddau, gan gynnwys cor, dosbarth canu gwerin, dawnsio gwerin, dosbarthiadau darllen, a phapur y cwrs. Cafwyd rhaglen lawn fin nos hefyd, gan gynnwys Twmpath, Cymanfa Ganu, Noson Ganu mewn tafarn, Darlith ar Gymry'r ardal, a gwelwyd ffilm 'Hedd Wyn'. Roeddem yn ffodus fod Jack Lewis, llywydd Cymdeithas Cymanfa Ganu Genedlaethol Gymreig UDA, yno i arwain y Gymanfa yn ei ddull hwyliog a brwd ei hun. Gorffennwyd yr wythnos gyda Noson Lawen ac Eisteddfod hwyliog.

Roedd ochr anffurfiol i'r gweithgareddau hefyd, a'r ochr hon yn dueddol o fynd ymlaen yn hwyr i'r nos. Yn ol y son yfwyd y dafarn leol yn sych o gwrw 'Bass' un noson, ac ar ddiwedd y cwrs, bu rhai mor ffol a gweld y wawr yn torri... ond gwell peidio a manylu.

Roedd llawer o ddysgwyr ifainc brwd ar y cwrs y tro hwn, a chafwyd dau ddosbarth i ddechreuwyr. Roedd y rhain yn dod o sawl rhan o'r Unol Daleithiau, a phob un a'i reswm ei hun dros ddysgu'r iaith. Roedd un llanc ifanc o Efrog Newydd wedi clywed ei fam-gu yn adrodd gweddi'r Arglwydd, a'i ddymuniad yn awr oedd sicrhau ei fod ef, trwy ddysgu'r iaith, yn peri i'r iaith barhau yn ei deulu. Daeth Aned, merch a enillodd gystadleuaeth prydferthwch yn Puerto Rico, i'r cwrs ar ol cael ei chyflwyno i'r Mabinogi mewn cwrs prifysgol yn Hawaii. Hedfannodd dau arall yn eu cwrs yn eu hawyren breifat... mae'r storiau'n ddi-ben-draw.

Roedd yno hefyd nifer o'r hen ffyddloniaid, sydd yn cyfrannu'n helaeth tuag at yr holl drefniadau. Bu Dick Myers, Loretta Close, Mary Elen Palmer a Janice Edwards yn enwedig o brysur yn sicrhau bod y trefniadau lleol yn effeithiol. Heb y rhain, ni fyddai cwrs, ac ni ellir ond rhyfeddu at y gwaith aruthrol a wneir gan y rhain ac eraill yn wirfoddol i sicrhau bod cyfle i bobl yn yr Unol Daleithiau dreulio wythnos yn dysgu'r Gymraeg, a chael hwyl yr un pryd.

Mae gan lawer o'r mynychwyr awydd (a threfniadau pendant) i ddod i Gymru yn ystod y flwyddyn, ac ni allwn ond gobeithio na chant eu siomi ar ol treulio wythnos wefreddiol yn dysgu'r iaith. Yn sicr, fe gafodd yr athrawon eu hysbrydoli gan ymroddiad y dysgwyr, a chan y diddordeb newydd yn y Gymraeg sydd fel pe bai'n ailgynnau yn yr Unol Daleithiau.

Cenedl heb iaith, cenedl heb galon. Mae'r syniad o Gymru erioed wedi bod yn gysylltiedig wrth yr iaith. Er y gellir parhau ymdeimlad cenedlaethol heb yr iaith, collir hanfod Cymreictod. Mae'n sicr bod llawer o gymdeithasau Cymreig ledled America'n cyfrannu at yr ymdeimlad cenedlaethol, ond mae rhaid edmygu'n arbennig ymdrechion Cymdeithas Madog sydd yn trefnu'r cwrs iaith hwn mewn modd mor broffesiynol.

Cwrs Cymraeg Report - 1998

Details: Written by: John Otley; Category: Cyffredinol - General; Published: 09 February 2011; Hits: 1222

Cwrs Cymraeg Y Pont Aur, 1998

The seismically active San Francisco area was rocked by the descent of the 22nd annual Cymdeithas Madog week-long intensive Welsh language course. Local organizers David and Karen Evans were on hand greeting students as they arrived, arranging transportation to and from the campus and assisting them throughout the week. With their invaluable help, students were able to settle into their dormitory rooms and gather their energy for a week of learning the "language of heaven". The North American course is held every July with the support of the Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu Association and the National Welsh American Foundation.

Teaching on his sixth Cwrs Cymraeg, lead teacher, Cefin Campbell, returned from Llandeilo, Wales accompanied by three other Welsh instructors. Basil Davies, who is well-known to Y Drych readers from his monthly column, Un Cam Ar Y Tro, Steve Morris and Sue George all traveled from Wales to guide and encourage their students. North American teachers Marta Diaz, Hefina Phillips and Pawl Birt rounded out the staff.

Students were divided into six levels with the assistance of a placement test and received four language classes daily. Afternoons were filled with workshops selected by the students according to their individual interests.

The Welsh theme continued into the evenings as each day brought a new activity to challenge and excite the participants. A Twmpath Dawns (Welsh Folk Dancing), Trivia Quiz night, Welsh language film, tour of the University's Bancroft Library "Welsh in the West" exhibit and a Welsh Pub night at Henry's Pub in the nearby Hotel Durant were all well attended.

Highlights of the afternoons included plenary presentations by Professors from the Celtic Studies Program of the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Kathryn Klar spoke on "Madog in America", Dr. Donna Reid explored the "Symbology of the Eisteddfod, Professor Eve Sweetser explained the History of Celtic Studies and Dr. Annalee Rejhon offered information on "The Welsh Arthur". In addition, the course teaching staff led a discussion on "Devolution: A Year Later".

One of the outstanding events of the week was an excursion to the Black Diamond Mine Regional Preserve. Students toured the grounds and mine and had a picnic lunch. Five coal mining towns thrived there until the early 1900s operating California's largest mining operation of coal (black diamonds). Many of the resident miners were immigrants from Wales. On the site remains a Protestant cemetery, Rose Hill,where course participants were able to read Welsh inscriptions on the old headstones.

Culminating the week was a banquet at the University's International House followed by a Noson Lawen (cheerful evening) typical of Welsh gatherings the world over.

Entertainment explored the talents of the staff and students alike and included music, poetry, skits and recitations. Capping off the night was the announcement of the winnersof the Cymdeithas Madog Eisteddfod. Kevin Rottet of Whitewater, Wisconsin was "Chaired" as the 1998 Bard and was given the guardianship for the next year of a hand-carved chair made in Wales and engraved with the names of the previous winners.

On the last morning, students, staff and visitors attended a Gymanfa Ganu before taking their sad departure for another year. Looking forward to 1999, Toronto's York University will be the site for the next Cymdeithas Madog Cwrs Cymraeg.

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