Welcome to Canolfan y Bont!

We are a Welsh Language Immersion Unit supporting children aged 7 to 11 who are late entrants to Welsh-medium education across Newport.

Our main aim is to ensure that every child feels happy, safe and confident while learning Welsh, giving them the skills and confidence they need to join their mainstream class in one of the Welsh-medium schools in our county.

👩‍🏫 Our Team

Mrs Woods – Canolfan y Bont Lead
Miss Manley – Canolfan y Bont Teaching Assistant

Together, we work to create a warm, supportive and enjoyable environment where every child can thrive.

The Journey

Typically, learners spend around 12 weeks at Canolfan y Bont, depending on their individual needs and progress.

During this time, we focus on developing:

• 🗣️ Confidence in speaking Welsh

• 📚 Vocabulary and language patterns

• 🤝 Social and communication skills

• 😊 A positive attitude towards learning Welsh

At the end of this period, learners will move on to a mainstream class in their home school.

This may be:

• Ysgol Gymraeg Nant Gwenlli

• Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Teyrnon

• Ysgol Gymraeg Casnewydd

• Ysgol Gymraeg Ifor Hael

 

Supporting Your Child’s Wellbeing and Confidence

Starting in a Welsh Language Immersion Unit can be a significant change for a child. Not only are they learning a new language, but they are also adapting to life in the immersion centre and becoming familiar with their home school.

Children may experience a range of emotions as they adjust to a new environment and begin using a new language. This is a natural part of the process.

We support every child to:

• Settle comfortably into their new environment

• Develop friendships

• Communicate their needs

• Develop independence

• Build confidence using Welsh

 

🌱 Step by Step: Understanding Your Child’s Needs

Please do not worry if your child does not speak much Welsh at first. This is a natural part of the immersion process. We provide time and opportunities for children to listen, understand and gradually use Welsh, building confidence step by step.

At the start of their time at Canolfan y Bont, each learner is assessed from their own starting point. This helps us understand what your child already knows and can do in Welsh, as well as identify areas where additional support may be needed.

Using this information, we create an individual learning programme tailored to your child’s needs, abilities and stage of development. The programme sets clear targets and helps us monitor your child’s progress throughout their time at the centre.

Progress is reviewed regularly, and support and activities are adapted to meet your child's changing needs. Our aim is to ensure every learner receives the right support at the right time, building on strengths and celebrating achievements.

Every child learns at their own pace, and we celebrate small successes as well as major milestones. We encourage children to have a go at using Welsh without worrying about making mistakes.

Gradually, learners will develop their vocabulary, understanding and fluency, becoming increasingly confident in using Welsh with others.

 

💛 Our Aim

Above all, we want your child to:

• Feel happy

• Build confidence

• Enjoy Welsh

• Be ready for the next stage of Welsh-medium education

• Feel proud of their Welsh identity, their country and their culture

 

🏫 Getting to Know Their Home School (Mainstream School)

We know that changing schools can feel like a big step for a child, particularly while learning a new language. Preparing your child to join their mainstream school is an important part of our work.

We work closely with the home school to ensure that the transition is as smooth and positive as possible.

Regular visits to the home school help children become familiar with the environment, staff and other pupils, fostering a sense of belonging before full transition.

Every Wednesday afternoon, learners attend their home school. This allows them to:

• Become familiar with the school and its routines

• Meet other children

• Get to know school staff

• Use Welsh in a different environment

• Build confidence before full transition

We want to make the move as smooth and positive as possible.

 

Learning Through Play and Experience

Learning a language is not simply about memorising words.

We use enjoyable, practical and varied activities to help children use Welsh naturally.

Our activities include:

• 🎭 Role play

• 🎲 Language games

• 🎵 Songs and rhymes

• 🗣️ Language pattern practice

• 🌳 Everyday-life activities and educational visits

• 📖 Thematic work

Through these activities, learners have many opportunities to listen to Welsh, understand it and use it themselves.

 

📚 Learning Across the Curriculum

The main purpose of Canolfan y Bont is to help your child develop Welsh language skills and confidence. Therefore, we do not follow the full curriculum in the same way as a mainstream class, as Welsh language development is our primary focus during the immersion period.

However, this does not mean your child misses out on other learning experiences. We use exciting themes and activities that connect to different areas of learning, including mathematics, science, the arts, health and wellbeing, and the world around us.

This approach enables children to learn Welsh in meaningful and natural situations. For example, while learning about a doctor's surgery, children develop Welsh vocabulary related to the scientific theme of The Human Body, as well as mathematical language linked to measurement and comparison. They then use these words and language patterns through speaking, play and practical activities.

In this way, we develop a broad range of subject-specific vocabulary appropriate to the learner's age while also building confidence and fluency in Welsh. This helps prepare learners for the learning experiences they will encounter when they move into their mainstream schools.

Themes

• Me and Myself

• The Park

• The Doctor's Surgery

• The Café

• The Town

• Houses and Homes

• Animals

• Wales and the World

Although formal PE lessons are not provided, physical activities are incorporated weekly through language games.

 

🌳 Forest School

Learners at Canolfan y Bont will have the opportunity to attend Forest School sessions every Tuesday afternoon. We kindly ask parents to provide a pair of wellington boots and ensure that their child has a waterproof coat for these sessions.

 

🎉 Being Part of School Life

We are committed to ensuring that children at Canolfan y Bont feel fully included in school life, even though their time at the centre is temporary.

Children will have opportunities to participate in whole-school activities and special events alongside pupils from Ysgol Gymraeg Nant Gwenlli and their home schools. These may include assemblies, celebrations, singing sessions, seasonal events and important cultural activities.

These experiences help children become familiar with school life, develop friendships and feel a sense of belonging while experiencing Welsh in natural social situations. They also provide valuable opportunities for children to experience and enjoy Welsh culture in a practical and engaging way.

 

How Can You Help at Home?

Supporting your child at home is an important part of their Welsh-language learning journey.

You do not need to speak Welsh yourself to help. Showing interest, encouraging your child and celebrating their progress can make a huge difference.

Children learn a new language gradually, so please do not worry if your child uses very little Welsh at first. Every new word, every attempt and every sentence is a step forward. 🌟

Here are some simple and enjoyable ways to support your child at home:

• 💬 Talk about Welsh – ask your child what new words or phrases they have learned at school. (See the Immersion Revision Booklet.)

• 🗣️ Encourage them to have a go – use new Welsh words and phrases at home, even if it is only the occasional word.

• 🎵 Enjoy Welsh together – listen to Welsh songs or sing together.

• 📺 Watch Welsh-language programmes – age-appropriate programmes are a fantastic way to hear more Welsh in a natural and enjoyable way.

  • Stwnsh (S4C)

  • Cyw (S4C)

• 🌱 Praise the effort – Welsh does not need to be perfect. Making mistakes is an important part of language learning.

• ❤️ Show interest – ask your child what they have done and enjoyed during the day.

• 🌟 Celebrate progress – whether it is a new word, a first sentence or greater confidence in speaking, every step is something to be proud of.

The most important thing is to enjoy the journey with your child. Your encouragement and enthusiasm help build confidence and show your child that learning Welsh is something to be proud of.