A former engineer from Pengam and a former IT worker from Blackwood are both in the running for Welsh Learner of the Year at the National Eisteddfod.
Pengam-born Dai Williams gave up learning Welsh at 14 but had his interest in the language reignited 15 years later while travelling.
Helen Price, 42, of Blackwood, was working in internet security at BT when she decided to start learning Welsh again.
Dai originally dropped Welsh in favour of science at school and eventually earned a PhD in engineering. However, while he was travelling he met many people who could speak several languages and regretted that he couldn’t speak his country’s own.
So he vowed to learn Welsh when he returned home, and now, after several courses at his local Welsh for Adults Centres, he has mastered the language and currently works as a full-time youth worker responsible for promoting the Welsh language to the south of Powys.
Dai said: “My job gives me the opportunity to give something back. I can help the next generation to appreciate Welsh also.
“I am so proud of being in the final of the National Eisteddfod Welsh Learner of the Year competition.”
Mother-of-one Helen, who now works as a full-time employee for Menter Iaith Caerffili (Caerphilly Welsh Language Initiative), had enjoyed studying the language at school from age 11 to 14, but had to drop it in order to concentrate on more scientific subjects.
In 2004, Helen started attending a night class once a week with the Welsh Assembly Government backed Welsh for Adults Centre and enjoyed the experience so much that she eventually decided to give up her full-time job so she could dedicate more time to learning the language.
Helen joined a Welsh A Level course at Coleg Gwent, Cross Keys, which she did alongside two classes with the Welsh for Adults Centre, and she also worked voluntarily at her son Dafydd’s school, Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Bro Sannan.
After achieving an A grade in her A Level exam, Helen found herself a job working locally with Menter Iaith Caerffili, developing a local history project.
Helen said: “I’m glad I made the decision to leave my old career in IT. I became so engrossed in learning the Welsh language that it was really the only thing to do. My job at Menter Iaith Caerffili has changed my life and is perfect for me because it involves all of my main interests.”
The pair will find out who the winner will be on Wednesday August 4 at an awards ceremony in Ebbw Vale.
For more information on learning Welsh visit www.welshforadults.org