The popular and free online Welsh course SaySomethinginWelsh.com has been given a huge boost by receiving the support of some of Wales’s best-known personalities.

Lord Elis-Thomas, Presiding Officer of the National Assembly, Nick Bourne, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Helen Mary Jones, AM for Llanelli, Robin McBryde, forwards coach to the Welsh rugby team, Aled Edwards of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission, Rhys Mwyn, the ‘benign rebel’ who runs Anhrefn Records, Leanne Wood, AM for South Wales Central and John Rostron, co-founder of www.SwnFest.co.uk have agreed to become SaySomethinginWelsh.com Patrons.

‘This is remarkable news for us,’ says Aran Jones, co-founder of the course, ‘and it is clearly already making an important difference, as we now have over 5000 members on the site. Support like this from such significant figures in Welsh public life helps us spread the word further and faster about a course which our learners tell us has helped them more than any other course they’ve done.’

Iestyn ap Dafydd, who helped create the course, is convinced that the online approach is making it possible for more people than ever before to learn Welsh. ‘We’re seeing an amazingly positive response from people who have struggled to learn Welsh before – they find this approach easier, more convenient, and they keep coming back to the forum to tell us about their successes using the language. It’s a very exciting and enthusiastic environment.’

Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, Presiding Officer of the National Assembly, said ‘A number of my colleagues here in Cardiff Bay have already started using this website. It’s the perfect way for people in a bilingual workplace, who hear the sound of both languages every day, to improve their skills and take enjoyment at the same time!’

Helen Mary Jones, AM for Llanelli, said ‘I’m delighted to be supporting SaySomethingInWelsh.com. I think that giving people the opportunity to learn Welsh online is fantastic. As someone who has learned Welsh, I know of my own experience how time-consuming and difficult it can be. But the end result is worthwhile, and being able to speak both Welsh and English to my constituents is great.”

Nick Bourne, leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, said ‘Good luck with this important project – I support these efforts to promote the Welsh language.’

Robin McBryde, forwards coach to the Welsh rugby team, said ‘I think it’s very important that everyone has the chance to learn Welsh, and that they get the opportunity to have fun using Welsh socially – it’s still such a big part of our rugby tradition, and everyone knows that a cup of tea and/or a pint tastes better in Welsh!’’