Welsh for Beginners by Usborne

Welsh for Beginners Reviews

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  Manybooks

  For the most part, Angela Wilkes' and J. Shackells' Welsh for Beginners is a fun and informative basic enough general introduction to the Welsh language (and while I, personally, have definitely found the accompanying illustrations both horribly annoying and distracting, there is no doubt that for many individuals, such accompanying visuals are actually a welcome and often appreciated complement to language learning, to points of grammar).
  
  However, as I am first and foremost more of an academic, grammar-based language learner (especially when learning or attempting to learn a language on my own), I really would have appreciated both less pictures and more in-depth analysis, I really could have done with more fine tuned explanations of Welsh grammar points (especially with regard to the mutations and when/how they tend to occur).
  
  And while I know that many language learning textbooks now do seem to focus their chapters not so much on grammatical forms anymore, but more on communicative themes, if Welsh for Beginners had been primarily divided into grammar-based chapters, instead of chapters covering greetings, table talk, hobbies etc., it definitely would have made my attempts at learning basic, beginning Welsh more enjoyable as well as more lastingly successful. That being said, I have still quite liked trying to learn Welsh from this book, but without more detailed, supplemental grammar instruction and explanations, I do wonder how much of the material covered I will actually be able to lastingly retain and remember. Recommended for individuals interested in learning basic Welsh, Welsh for Beginners is especially useful if traveling in Wales, as many different scenarios such as greetings, telling time, asking for directions and the like are described and presented and in detail (but for me, and coming from a personal language learning perspective, Welsh for Beginners is but a high two star ranked book, not bad, not terrible, and for many probably a great idea, but for me, not really what I tend to look for and desire, need in a language learning tome).
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  Harri

  I got this as a kid, so looking at it now, wow is it dated! Phoneboxes, corded telephones, boom boxes, record players... And the hair and clothes styles in the artwork... I really liked it when I read it as a kid, although I never managed to learn much Welsh. That was more on me than the book, though.
  
  Looking at it as an adult, I think the layout is not so great. It's alright for a very brief overview. The pronunciation guide at the back is useful, and there is a two page spread of some basic Welsh grammar rules, but the layout of the pages was confusing, and I would have preferred more grammar rules in with the phrases rather than hidden at the end.
  
  I can't comment on the internet linked stuff, because I didn't have access to use it as a kid. I would assume that the links have changed massively in the last twenty years though.
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  Sophie Crane

  This was Given as an Xmas Gift from our Auntie to Learn the basics of the Welsh Language.
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  Deity World

  Same as the French version but exactly the same in welsh with a CD
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  Paul Pryce

  I wanted a children’s textbook to make it as simple as it could be. The book has an accompanying website and from that I found a useful YouTube channel where Welsh speakers literally go through the same material word by word. It’s delivered in a “you see this - you do this” style so good for anyone who wants to get cracking. But also as it’s a child’s book when I found myself asking “is that like a preposition in German?”, obviously the work doesn’t stretch to that. I think from greeting it’s North Welsh.
  Borrowed from a library- I’d borrow it again.