A mother from Hengoed has been named Learner of the Year at Coleg Gwent’s Welsh for Adults Awards.
Zoe Selway has been learning Welsh for three years and began learning at a Level 2 Welsh for the Family course at Penalltau School.
Her husband, who had a Welsh medium education but had not used the language since leaving school, was inspired by Zoe’s hard work and dedication to pick up his Welsh. He now speaks Welsh with their children.
The awards, held last month at Coleg Gwent’s Pontypool campus, were hosted by TV presenter Nia Parry and attended by special guest Eluned Morgan AM, Minister for Welsh Language and Lifelong Learning.
Other winners from the Caerphilly County Borough area were Anne Shore, from Oakdale, who was named Workplace Tutor of the Year and Lynnie Llewellyn, of Caerphilly, who took the Special Learner award.
Geraint Wilson-Price, head of Learn Welsh at Coleg Gwent and organiser of the awards, said “With there being such a huge increase in the numbers of adults learning Welsh in the Gwent area, it’s important that we recognise and celebrate the successes of our learners at an event like this.
“This evening has been a lovely time for learners of all levels to be recognised for their hard work and successes. What is particularly delightful is to see so many learners moving through the levels and becoming more and more proficient so they can fully take part in all aspects of Welsh life.”
Welsh Minister Eluned Morgan AM said: “This is one of my first engagements as the Minister for Welsh Language and Lifelong Learning and I can’t imagine a more fitting one than a ceremony that celebrates both aspects of my portfolio. I congratulate everybody for their success and commend you on your commitment to learning Welsh.
“We have a commitment to increasing the number of Welsh speakers to one million by 2050 and it is a pleasure to see so many people join us in our challenge.”
Each year, around 2,500 adults enrol in Welsh language classes at Coleg Gwent.