Support our Nation today - please donate here
News

Watch: Amazing video of Welsh-speaking children from Ukraine melts hearts online

16 Dec 2022 2 minute read
Image by S4C Newyddion

An amazing video of children from Ukraine who have learnt Welsh since arriving in the country has melted hearts online.

The report by Newyddion S4C features Sofiia, who is eight, Natalia, who is nine, and Danylo, 11, who have been learning Welsh at Ysgol Moelfre on Moelfre.

The video has already been shared hundreds of times across social media with viewers surprised and how well they spoke the language after only starting to learn Welsh in September.

Anglesey has a policy which means that all schools in the county teach through the medium of Welsh, and all pupils are fully bilingual by the time they are 11 years old.

The island has two Welsh Immersion Units to support pupils who come from outside Wales, where they spend 12 weeks before returning to their schools.

Sofiia, who is from Kryvyi Rih – the hometown of President Volodymyr Zelensky – told Newyddion S4C that she had enjoyed every aspect of learning the language.

He says: “I like to write, read and a little bit of singing. I speak Welsh with friends at school.”

Natalia from Odessa, added: “I love Welsh.

“I’m learning animals, dressing, weather, eating, fruit. I want to learn Welsh because it helps me.”

She added that her favourite word so far is “archfarchnad” – the supermarket.

Danylo from Bronytsia, in the Lviv region said that he enjoys speaking to his friends in Welsh.

“I like to play football with friends, and I do that in Welsh,” he said.

The video drew a strong reaction on social media with BBC presenter Owain Wyn Eavans saying in Welsh: “This is special.”

Bedwyr Morgan added: “Amazing! And congratulations to the teachers of Ysgol Moelfre. Great.”

Caryl Owen Davies added: “Wow! These kids are incredible.”


Support our Nation today

For the price of a cup of coffee a month you can help us create an independent, not-for-profit, national news service for the people of Wales, by the people of Wales.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
8 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
hdavies15
hdavies15
1 year ago

Da iawn. Ukrainian families obviously see the merit of integrating into native communities. Shame that so many Sais that turn up here can’t be bothered and look down their dirty noses at anything remotely Welsh.

Iago
Iago
1 year ago

They put to shame all those pathetic and lazy Welsh people who make every excuse under the sun why they can’t learn Welsh.

keith smith
keith smith
1 year ago

Absolutely brilliant .Well done children , and well done teachers;

keith smith
keith smith
1 year ago
Reply to  keith smith

and well done ynys mon

Frank
Frank
1 year ago

I wonder if this will motivate and embarrass the people from Monmouthshire?

Last edited 1 year ago by Frank
Llŷr
Llŷr
1 year ago
Reply to  Frank

Dim pawb o Sir Fynwy o leia (Y Fenni yma!)

Rhufawn Jones
Rhufawn Jones
1 year ago
Reply to  Frank

And settlers on Ynys Mon!

Eifion
1 year ago

Ardderchog, plant yn edrych yn iach iawn ag yn llawen I feddwl bod nhw wedi cael stwffio Cymraeg lawr ei gyddfau nhw, pethau bach !

Our Supporters

All information provided to Nation.Cymru will be handled sensitively and within the boundaries of the Data Protection Act 2018.