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An Interview With John Good - Course Tutor, AmeriCymraeg
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AmeriCymru held its first online Welsh class on Wednesday and there are still places left on both the beginners and intermediate courses for people wishing to enroll. Here is the signup page for those who are interested. Below we proudly present an interview with course tutor John Good .
ENROLL FOR AMERICYMRAEG HERE .
AmeriCymru: What is your background in teaching Welsh?
John: At the age of 40, I found myself living in Phoenix and embittered, wishing I had taken the opportunity at school and at home with my mother and grandmother to speak the primal language of Wales. Resources in those days were thin, even on the Internet, so I taught myself mainly from books, listening to Welsh Internet broadcasts/tapes/music and from trying to talk to my mother and Welsh speaking friends on the phone. Although my Welsh was sketchy in youth, having experienced all of the pitfalls of linguistic self-tuition I'm well placed to help others cross the raging river of I'll never get there, and soaking wet, bedraggled but triumphant arrive confidently on the Welsh bank.
I've been teaching all levels of Welsh learners for over 15 years in Arizona; privately, at the Irish Cultural Center and else where and intermittently on Skype. I was a substitute teacher at Cwrs Madog and regularly speak the language with my brother, students, nephews and nieces and anyone else who will respond to me. Its a passion with me and my mission is to give back to others some of the joy I experienced speaking to my mother in the language of her youth, and reading the great literature and history of my beloved country ... so there!
AmeriCymru: What is your philosophy or approach to teaching the language?
John: I'm a musician and language to me is very similar to music: Sounds that convey meaning and feelings with occasional spiritual overtones. I like to get people to listen to the melody and especially the rhythm of Welsh; It helps memory, makes pronunciation easier and fun, and enjoyment boosts self confidence. I like to use common phrases and proverbs, songs, stories and poems so people can see the language in action, at its finest. And talking of having fun, it relaxes teacher and students and creates a good learning environment: They who laugh a little, learn a lot.
AmeriCymru: How can utilizing modern tech ( google hangouts etc ) make it easier for students to master Cymraeg?
John: Interactive means exactly that. The lines of communication are open 24/7. You/I can post ideas/questions/homework /suggestions when ready. The class room letter box is always open and at hand. The entire web is at our fingertips during the lessons, including our instant message blackboard, Google, Youtube and the entire virtual world
AmeriCymru: How do you see the AmeriCymraeg course developing in the coming weeks and months?
John: As I get to know students needs after all, All children learn differentlyas they sayIll be able to customize interaction and reinforce strengths and strengthen weaknesses. Anyone will be able to drop in/move between the different levels and find their comfort zone or refresh. Time allowing, I will be virtually available when people get stuck.
Eventually I'd like to see an AmeriCymraeg residential weekend (?) and a Welsh language conversation , audio chat room/class, but until then we just need everyone to sign up, do their homework and not chew gum in class! .
For all course enquiries please email americymru@gmail.com
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From Llanfairfechan 'Where The Werewolves Live'
'Fascinating noise, furry noise' - Adam Walton
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It really is a tribute to the success of our new Directory site that we have been targeted by spammers twice in the course of the last two days. Yesterday we were treated to a spam crossword by the dodgy SEO crowd and today the lingerie mob have been dropping comments on various Directory entries. We will of course ramp up security and expand our growing blacklist to accommodate these miscreants.
Never a dull moment here at AC/HQ.
Blodwen's New Year Sale - 50% Reduction on Selected Items.
On Twelfth Night in Wales, groups of men would go out 'Hunting the Wren' - a custom which entailed capturing a tiny bird in a cage and carrying it from door to door asking householders to pay for the privilege of peeping at the animal. This was to signify that in the days surrounding the shortest day, pagans believed the natural order could be turned on its head - the wren symbolising the smallest most insignificant creature becoming the most important animal - paraded around for everyone to see.
This practice was accompanied by 'Wassailing' where funny shaped bowls full of spiced beer were, again taken from house to house and toasts raised for bumper harvests in the coming year.
Another weird custom was that of the 'Mari Lwyd' where a horse's skull was decorated with ribbons and carried around challenging householders to a battle of rhyming insults!
Blodwen - Bringing thecraftman's way of life to your way of living
We decided that it was kinda boring having a solid block of color on either side of the screen display so we thought we'd put the space to some use. Once a week we will be presenting a new picture taken somewhere in Wales. Of course those of you with sufficient screen resolution will only see a small portion of the pic and the challenge is to guess where in Wales the shot was taken. Please post your answer in 'comments' below. No prizes ....just for fun....pob lwc 
For anyone who cant see enough of the image to attempt an identification there is a screenshot below. Click thumbnail for a larger image.
June 30, 2013 is the final deadline for submissions for eto, Volume II, to be printed Fall 2013.
Material submitted up to June 30 will be considered for Volume II. Material received after June 30 will be considered for Volume III, to be printed Spring 2014.
Please see our guidelines (below) for specific submission requirements and information on being part of eto:
http://www.etomagazine.com/for-writers
Buy eto, Issue I, here:
e-book formats on Smashwords.com
and paperback on Amazon.com
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Everything's Coming up Roses For Mothering Sunday!
Made from the finest essential oils extracted from roses grown in Cardigan Bay, what better way to spoil your beloved now and always.
ps. want to try out the Blodwen Wild Rose Experience - check out one of London's design meccas - SCP and its Notting Hill and Shoreditch stores where Blodwen is now in residence.
