Languages |
French Conversation What we do: We now have 6 French Conversation Groups catering for various levels of ability, some held on Zoom, some face to face and some hybrid. STOP PRESS! A new beginners’ class is starting up on Tuesday mornings at Hazel Court. Please contact the Convenor if you are interested. We try to make the lessons enjoyable as well as instructive: for example, in the more advanced class we might have some grammar revision, and then read a French newspaper or magazine article to stimulate discussion, or we might listen to some music or read a poem., or read a French novel. The Internet is an excellent source of material for classes these days, providing lots of useful vocabulary and it gives an insight into the French viewpoint on topical issues. For anyone who loves France we aim to provide an opportunity to keep in touch with the living language and with French life. Meeting Area: Zoom and Sketty Park Meeting Day: Tuesdays AM (beginners and improvers) and Thursdays AM (improvers and advanced) PLEASE NOTE - I AM SORRY, BUT ALL CLASSES ARE FULL AT PRESENT. I AM TAKING NAMES FOR THE WAITING LIST, BUT IT MAY BE SOME TIME BEFORE THERE ARE ANY SPARE PLACES. French Conversation for Beginners To find out more about this Group, Email With the subject as “French” What we do: This is a new French conversation group for beginners. We will do is going through the basics to feel comfortable travelling to France, going to sites and having small exchanges with the locals. It will be informal and will be open to suggestions. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS GROPUP IS NOW FULL, there is already a waiting list with names on it. Meeting Area: Sketty Park Meeting Day: Wednesdays AM  German What we do:
The German Group has been running since June 2011 and now numbers about 12 so we are close to full capacity, but if anyone is interested in joining, please contact us as we may have some vacancies. All the members of the group have some previous knowledge of German, whether from school or evening classes, or from contact through work. Meetings are structured around a variety of activities – conversation, basic grammar revision, cultural insights and a little reading of selected texts. Consolidation of grammar points is encouraged through set homework. The group enjoys working and having fun together. For Christmas we usually have a party and all try to bake (or buy in Lidl!) German style foods like Apfelstrudel and Stollen. This year we each performed a “party piece” which showed off our skills, or lack of them. We have had 3 trips to Germany, which have been great fun and given us an insight into a fascinating country. Meeting Area: Mayals Meeting Day: Thursdays PM
What we do:
Our tutor, a retired language teacher and university lecturer, is running a class for those with some knowledge, and/or experience of, German, who would like to improve, and who are not afraid of a course based upon topics in a textbook, combining a grammar and conversation approach. We look at news clips in simplified German from a website, followed by a video “soap opera” from the Internet, and follow a structured textbook for grammar and background to Germany. Meeting Area: Newton Meeting Day: Wednesdays AM Greek (Modern) What we do: The Group is for anyone interested in the language, life and culture of Greece. Each session usually includes some Greek grammar, some reading and translation from Greek to English and either a game or a short talk about an aspect of Greek life. All the current members of the Group have some knowledge of Greek but enquiries from beginners are welcome. Meeting Area: Sketty Park Meeting Day: Wednesday - 12 noon.
Latin - intermediate and more advanced To find out more about this Group, Email What we do: This group is full at the moment, use the Email link above to join the waiting list. Meeting Area: Uplands Meeting Day: Tuesdays AM Spanish Advanced Beginners What we do: This group is aimed at those who already have a basic level of Spanish. We follow a course book, with topic areas to enable learners to have a simple conversation in Spanish and gain some understanding of Spanish Grammar. It will make use of resources such as the internet, textbook and a basic level story book. Meetings will be held weekly with breaks for holidays. This group is currently full and I am unable to take any new members at the moment. I am happy to put your name on a waiting list until a space becomes available.
Meeting Area: Sketty Meeting Day: Monday PM
Spanish Beginners 2 To find out more about this Group, Email What we do: This group is aimed at complete beginners or those with just those with just a very basic level of ‘holiday’ Spanish. It will initially aim to give a basic grounding in the language, following topic areas that will enable learners to have a simple conversation in Spanish, such as ordering in a restaurant, shopping, booking a hotel room etc. It will make use of resources such as the internet, textbook and a basic level story book. Meetings will be held weekly with breaks for holidays. This group is full at present but I will take names for the waiting list. Meeting Area: Sketty Meeting Day: Monday PM
Spanish Improvers What we do: The group is running at full strength, with ten members & we have been running for several years, morphing from a beginners’ class to our current status as “improvers”. This means that members of this group require 2-5 years of Spanish experience We meet for conversation & coffee after a paid lesson from our Spanish teacher, Danny Alonso. In our U3A hour we try to cover all aspects of the language & culture & make use of the internet, text books & CDs. We are a very friendly group & enjoy meals out at various times in the year, celebrating Christmas or “end of term”.
Meeting Area: Sketty Park Meeting Day: Wednesday AM
Welsh Conversation (Sgwrs Cymraeg) What we do: We provide an opportunity for those with sufficient grasp of the Welsh language, or those with a lapsed use of the language, to refresh their skills and develop more confidence and/or competence in conversing within an informal, friendly group setting. The aim is to achieve a level where the use of Welsh predominates and to maintain that level. English will be used whenever there is a need to help group members gain a clearer understanding of any aspects of Welsh grammar, vocabulary or dialect that present difficulties. The group is well established and has members with sufficient experience of Welsh to assist new members to settle in and maintain a flow of conversation. Meeting Area: Zoom Meeting Day: Tuesday AM |