Astudiaethau Achos
Case Studies
Bradley, 2024
Mae Bradley, sy’n ddisgybl o Dorfaen, wedi profi hwb rhyfeddol mewn hyder ers ymuno â’r uned drochi Cymraeg, ‘Carreg Lam,’ yn gynharach eleni. Rhwng Ebrill a Gorffennaf 2024, cymerodd Bradley ran yn y rhaglen drochi hwyr, a fu’n gymorth iddo ddatblygu’r sgiliau, y wybodaeth, a’r hunanhyder sydd eu hangen i ffynnu mewn addysg cyfrwng Cymraeg.
Daeth Bradley at ‘Carreg Lam’ yn awyddus i wella ei sgiliau Cymraeg, ac ar y dechrau, roedd y rhagolygon braidd yn frawychus. Fodd bynnag, gyda chefnogaeth ffocws ein staff, enillodd Bradley yr hyder yn gyflym i dderbyn yr her newydd hon. Yn ystod ei gyfnod trochi dwys yn y Gymraeg am 12 wythnos, nid yn unig y datblygodd Bradley ei sgiliau iaith ond hefyd gwelodd gynnydd sylweddol yn ei hunan-barch. Mae’r hyder newydd hwn yn rhywbeth a fydd o fudd iddo wrth iddo barhau â’i addysg mewn awyrgylch cyfrwng Cymraeg.
Yn ‘Carreg Lam,’ rydym yn ymfalchïo mewn mwy na datblygiad iaith yn unig. Mae ein canolfan yn ofod lle mae plant yn cael eu hannog i dyfu'n gymdeithasol, yn emosiynol ac yn academaidd. Mae taith Bradley yn dyst i’r amgylchedd cefnogol a meithringar a ddarparwn, lle mae cynnydd unigol pob plentyn yn cael ei ddathlu.
Mae profiad Bradley yn ‘Carreg Lam’ yn adlewyrchu teithiau llawer o ddisgyblion sy’n ymuno â’n darpariaeth drochi hwyr. Trwy drochi eu hunain yn yr iaith a derbyn cefnogaeth bwrpasol, gallant drosglwyddo'n hyderus i addysg cyfrwng Cymraeg prif ffrwd. Mae enw’r uned, ‘Carreg Lam,’ sy’n golygu ‘carreg gamu’, yn adlewyrchu ein cenhadaeth i fod yn bont sy’n cefnogi plant i adeiladu sylfaen gref ar gyfer eu dyfodol dwyieithog.
Ers cwblhau ei gyfnod trochi ym mis Gorffennaf, mae Bradley wedi dychwelyd i’w ysgol gynradd yn Nhorfaen, lle mae bellach yn cymryd rhan weithredol yn ei ddosbarth Cymraeg. Mae ei hyder cynyddol mewn siarad a deall Cymraeg wedi caniatáu iddo ymgysylltu’n llawn â’i gyd-ddisgyblion a’i athrawon, ac mae’n gyffrous i barhau â’i daith fel siaradwr Cymraeg. Mae Carreg Lam yn parhau i gefnogi Bradley trwy sesiynau peripatetig i sicrhau bod ei daith iaith a hyder yn parhau i gynyddu.
Eglurodd Lauren, mam Bradley: “Cyn iddo ddechrau gyda Carreg Lam, roedd yn deall bod y Gymraeg yn iaith arall, ond nid oedd ganddo awydd na diddordeb cryf i’w dysgu. Yn dilyn ei gyfnod yng Ngharreg Lam mae ei agwedd wedi newid yn llwyr. Mae bellach yn mwynhau ymwneud â’r Gymraeg gyda’i dad hefyd. Maen nhw’n defnyddio apiau fel duolingo ac rydyn ni i gyd yn chwarae ‘I-spy’ yn y car. Mae'n mwynhau dweud y geiriau Cymraeg wrthym. Rwyf hefyd wedi sylwi bod ganddo ddiddordeb ehangach mewn iaith o’i gwmpas ac mae’n mwynhau darllen a phwyntio’r Gymraeg pan fyddwn ni allan. Newid arwyddocaol arall fu ei hyder. Dywedodd wrthyf ei fod eisiau dod i fynd i'r ysgol bob dydd ac roedd yn gyffrous i ddod adref a dweud popeth wrthym am ei ddiwrnod yn Carreg Lam. Ers trosglwyddo i'r dosbarth, mae ganddo bellach y ddealltwriaeth hon y gall dysgu fod yn hwyl. Mae wedi dod ag angerdd newydd i'r amlwg ynddo ac mae wedi dweud ei fod eisiau aros yn yr ysgol cyhyd ag y gall. Mae hyd yn oed wedi sôn am ddod yn athro.”
Bydd y sgiliau a’r hunangred y mae wedi’u datblygu o fudd iddo yn ei addysg ac yn ei ddyfodol fel unigolyn dwyieithog yng Nghymru.
I ni yn ‘Carreg Lam,’ mae llwyddiant Bradley yn tanlinellu gwerth ein rhaglen drochi hwyr. Ein nod yw sicrhau bod pob plentyn yn gadael ein huned yn meddu ar y sgiliau iaith a’r hyder i ffynnu mewn lleoliad cyfrwng Cymraeg, yn union fel sydd gan Bradley.
I gael rhagor o wybodaeth am ‘Carreg Lam’ a sut rydym yn helpu plant i fagu hyder ieithyddol a phersonol, cysylltwch â carreg.lam@torfaen.gov.uk neu ffoniwch 01495 762581.
"Mae wedi dod ag angerdd newydd i'r amlwg ynddo ac mae wedi dweud ei fod eisiau aros yn yr ysgol cyhyd ag y gall."
"It has brought out a new passion in him and he has said he wants to stay in school as long as he can."
Bradley, a pupil from Torfaen, has experienced a remarkable boost in confidence since joining the Welsh language immersion unit, ‘Carreg Lam,’ earlier this year. Between April and July 2024, Bradley took part in the late immersion programme, which helped him develop the skills, knowledge, and self-assurance needed to thrive in Welsh-medium education.
Bradley came to ‘Carreg Lam’ wanting to improve his Welsh language skills, and at first, the prospect was a little daunting. However, with the focused support of our staff, Bradley quickly gained the confidence to embrace this new challenge. Over the course of his 12-week intensive Welsh language immersion, Bradley not only developed his language skills but also saw a significant increase in his self-esteem. This newfound confidence is something that will serve him well as he continues his education in a Welsh-medium environment.
At ‘Carreg Lam,’ we pride ourselves on more than just language development. Our centre is a space where children are encouraged to grow socially, emotionally, and academically. Bradley’s journey is a testament to the supportive and nurturing environment we provide, where each child’s individual progress is celebrated.
Bradley’s experience at ‘Carreg Lam’ mirrors the journeys of many pupils who join our late immersion provision. By immersing themselves in the language and receiving dedicated support, they are able to transition confidently into mainstream Welsh-medium education. The unit’s name, ‘Carreg Lam,’ meaning ‘stepping stone’, reflects our mission to be a bridge that supports children in building a strong foundation for their bilingual future.
Since completing his immersion period in July, Bradley has returned to his primary school in Torfaen, where he now actively participates in his Welsh-language class. His growing confidence in speaking and understanding Welsh has allowed him to fully engage with his classmates and teachers, and he’s excited to continue his journey as a Welsh speaker. Carreg Lam continues to support Bradley through peripatetic sessions to ensure that his language and confidence journey continues to soar.
Bradley’s mum, Lauren, explained: “Before he started with Carreg Lam, he understood that Welsh was another language, but he had no strong desire or interest to learn it. Following his time at Carreg Lam his attitude has completely changed. He now enjoys engaging with the Welsh language with his dad too. They use apps like duolingo and we all play ‘I-spy’ in the car. He enjoys telling us the Welsh words. I’ve also noticed that he has a wider interest in language around him and he enjoys reading and pointing out the Welsh language when we are out and about. Another significant change has been his confidence. He told me that he wanted to come to go to school every day and he was excited to come home and tell us all about his day at Carreg Lam. Since transitioning into class, he now has this understanding that learning can be fun. It has brought out a new passion in him and he has said he wants to stay in school as long as he can. He’s even talked about becoming a teacher.”
The skills and self-belief he has developed will benefit him both in his education and in his future as a bilingual individual in Wales.
For us at ‘Carreg Lam,’ Bradley’s success underscores the value of our late immersion programme. It is our goal to ensure that every child leaves our unit equipped with the language skills and confidence to flourish in a Welsh-medium setting, just as Bradley has.
For more information about ‘Carreg Lam’ and how we help children build both linguistic and personal confidence, please contact carreg.lam@torfaen.gov.uk or call 01495 762581.
Isaac, 2024
Mae uned trochi Cymraeg ‘Carreg Lam’ Torfaen yn falch o rannu hanes llwyddiant Isaac, disgybl ymroddedig a brwdfrydig, a ymunodd â’n darpariaeth drochi hwyr rhwng Ebrill a Gorffennaf 2024. Isaac, sydd bellach wedi integreiddio’n llawn i’w ddosbarth cyfrwng Cymraeg prif ffrwd, yn enghraifft ddisglair o effaith drawsnewidiol ein huned wrth helpu dysgwyr i gofleidio addysg ddwyieithog.
Ymunodd Isaac â ‘Carreg Lam’ gan geisio ennill y sgiliau a’r hyder angenrheidiol i ffynnu mewn amgylchedd addysgol Cymraeg. Dros gyfnod o 12 wythnos, bu Isaac, fel pob un o’n disgyblion, yn cymryd rhan mewn rhaglen dysgu Cymraeg ddwys, trochi a luniwyd i helpu plant rhwng 7 ac 11 oed i bontio’r bwlch rhwng hyfedredd cyfyngedig yn y Gymraeg a chyfranogiad llawn mewn cyfrwng Cymraeg. addysg.
Talodd penderfyniad ac ymrwymiad Isaac ar ei ganfed, wrth iddo fanteisio’n gyflym ar y cyfle i ymgolli yn ei iaith newydd. Diolch i gefnogaeth ffocws ein tîm addysgu ymroddedig, trosglwyddodd Isaac yn esmwyth i'w ddosbarth Cymraeg prif ffrwd erbyn diwedd Gorffennaf. Mae ei daith yn dyst i waith caled a dyfalbarhad plant, teuluoedd a staff ‘Carreg Lam.’
Mae ‘Carreg Lam’, y mae ei henw yn golygu ‘carreg gamu’, yn bont hollbwysig i ddyfodol dwyieithog plant ar draws Torfaen. Mae disgyblion sy’n mynychu ‘Carreg Lam’ yn cael eu cefnogi i drosglwyddo i addysg cyfrwng Cymraeg gyda’r sgiliau ieithyddol, yr hyder a’r brwdfrydedd sydd eu hangen i lwyddo. Mae llawer o’n dysgwyr, fel Isaac, yn ymuno â ni heb unrhyw gefndir Cymraeg ac yn gadael fel cyfranogwyr hyderus, galluog mewn amgylcheddau dysgu cyfrwng Cymraeg.
Meddai Sophie, mam Isaac: “Roeddwn i’n nerfus i ddechrau am Isaac yn trosglwyddo o ysgol cyfrwng Saesneg i ysgol cyfrwng Cymraeg, ond mae wedi profi i fod yn un o’r penderfyniadau gorau i mi ei wneud fel rhiant. Fy mhrif bryder erioed yw lles fy mab, mae Carreg Lam a’i ysgol newydd, Ysgol Panteg, wedi rhagori’n gyson ar fy nisgwyliadau yn hyn o beth, o daith gyntaf yr ysgol ac yn awr i mewn i’w flwyddyn academaidd lawn gyntaf yno. Mae hyfedredd Isaac yn y Gymraeg wedi datblygu’n rhyfeddol mewn amser mor fyr. A dweud y gwir, os na fyddaf yn ymateb iddo yn Gymraeg gartref, bydd yn dweud ‘yn Gymraeg’. Mae bob amser yn gwneud i mi wenu, ac mae wedi fy ysgogi i archwilio’r Gymraeg yn fwy fy hun, fel y gallaf gyfathrebu ag ef yn Gymraeg hefyd. Er nad ydyn nhw wedi cyflwyno darllen Saesneg eto, mae sgiliau darllen Isaac wedi gwella’n sylweddol, a wnaeth fy synnu gan fy mod yn meddwl i ddechrau y gallai dysgu Cymraeg rwystro ei gynnydd yn y maes hwnnw. Mae gweld fy mhlentyn yn hapus i fynd i’r ysgol bob dydd, a rhedeg tuag ataf gyda gwên fawr a breichiau agored ar ddiwedd y dydd, yn tawelu fy meddwl o ba mor wych oedd y penderfyniad i’m plentyn symud i addysg cyfrwng Cymraeg.”
Rydym wrth ein bodd yn dathlu llwyddiant Isaac, sy’n amlygu effaith gadarnhaol rhaglenni trochi hwyr ar gyfer disgyblion nad yw’r Gymraeg wedi bod yn rhan feunyddiol o’u trefn ddyddiol. Edrychwn ymlaen at weld twf a chyflawniadau parhaus Isaac wrth iddo gofleidio’r llu o gyfleoedd y mae dwyieithrwydd yn eu cynnig.
Mae ein huned drochi wedi ymrwymo i roi cyfle i bob plentyn lwyddo a chyfrannu at ddyfodol dwyieithog Cymru. Os hoffech i'ch plentyn gael profiad o addysg Gymraeg, fel Isaac, cysylltwch â ni yn Carreg Lam a threfnwch ymweliad! E-bostiwch carreg.lam@torfaen.gov.uk neu ffoniwch 01495 762581.
"Roeddwn i’n nerfus i ddechrau am Isaac yn trosglwyddo o ysgol cyfrwng Saesneg i ysgol cyfrwng Cymraeg, ond mae wedi profi i fod yn un o’r penderfyniadau gorau i mi ei wneud fel rhiant."
"I was initially nervous about Isaac transitioning from an English-medium to a Welsh-medium school, but it has proven to be one of the best decisions I’ve made as a parent."
Torfaen’s ‘Carreg Lam’ Welsh language immersion unit is proud to share the success story of Isaac, a dedicated and enthusiastic pupil, who joined our late immersion provision between April and July 2024. Isaac, now fully integrated into his mainstream Welsh-medium class, is a shining example of the transformative impact of our unit in helping learners embrace bilingual education.
Isaac joined ‘Carreg Lam’ seeking to gain the skills and confidence necessary to thrive in a Welsh-speaking educational environment. Over the course of 12 weeks, Isaac, like all of our pupils, participated in an intense, immersive Welsh language learning programme designed to help children between the ages of 7 and 11 bridge the gap between limited Welsh proficiency and full participation in Welsh-medium education.
Isaac’s determination and commitment paid off, as he quickly embraced the opportunity to immerse himself in his new language. Thanks to the focused support provided by our dedicated teaching team, Isaac transitioned smoothly into his mainstream Welsh language class by the end of July. His journey is testament to the hard work and perseverance of the children, families and staff at ‘Carreg Lam.’
‘Carreg Lam’, whose name means ‘stepping stone’, serves as a crucial bridge into a bilingual future for children across Torfaen. Pupils who attend ‘Carreg Lam’ are supported to make the transition into Welsh-medium education with the linguistic skills, confidence, and enthusiasm needed to succeed. Many of our learners, like Isaac, join us with no Welsh language background and leave as confident, capable participants in Welsh-medium learning environments.
Sophie, Isaac’s mother, said: “I was initially nervous about Isaac transitioning from an English-medium to a Welsh-medium school, but it has proven to be one of the best decisions I’ve made as a parent. My primary concern has always been my son’s well-being, Carreg Lam and his new school, Ysgol Panteg, has consistently exceeded my expectations in this regard, from the first tour of the school and now into his first full academic year there. Isaac’s proficiency in Welsh has developed remarkably in such a short time. In fact, if I don’t respond to him in Welsh at home, he will, and I quote, say ‘yn Gymraeg’ (in Welsh). It always makes me smile, and it has motivated me to explore the Welsh language more myself, so I can communicate with him in Welsh too. Despite the fact that they haven’t introduced English reading yet, Isaac’s reading skills have improved significantly, which surprised me as I initially thought learning Welsh might hinder his progress in that area. Seeing my child happy to go to school each day, and running towards me with a big smile and open arms at the end of the day, reassures me of just how wonderful a decision it was for my child to move to Welsh-medium education.”
We’re thrilled to celebrate Isaac’s success, which highlights the positive impact of late immersion programmes for pupils for whom Welsh has not been a daily part of their routine. We look forward to seeing Isaac’s continued growth and achievements as he embraces the many opportunities that bilingualism offers.
Our immersion unit is committed to giving every child the opportunity to succeed and contribute to the bilingual future of Wales. If you would like your child to experience Welsh education, like Isaac, get in contact with us at Carreg Lam and arrange a visit! Email carreg.lam@torfaen.gov.uk or call 01495 762581.
Leo, 2023
Carreg Lam yw canolfan drochi’r Iaith Gymraeg yn Nhorfaen a sefydlwyd yn bennaf i gefnogi plant sydd am drosglwyddo i addysg cyfrwng Cymraeg. Bellach yn addysgu ei hail garfan o ddisgyblion, mae staff Carreg Lam a staff ysgolion Torfaen yn gweithio’n ddiflino i gefnogi plant sydd wedi trosglwyddo i ddosbarthiadau prif ffrwd.
Un enghraifft yw Leo a oedd yn rhan o garfan gyntaf Carreg Lam yn Nhymor yr Haf 2023. Mae bellach wedi trosglwyddo i'w ddosbarth yn Ysgol Gymraeg Cwmbrân.
Dywedodd Mr Price, athro Leo: “Cyn dechrau Carreg Lam, roedd gan Leo ddiffyg hyder ac nid oedd yn teimlo’n gyfforddus gyda’r Gymraeg. Ar ôl rhai wythnosau yng Ngharreg Lam gwelais newid mawr: roedd hyder Leo wedi cynyddu. Roedd yn fodlon dod lan ataf i drafod beth oedd o wedi gwneud y diwrnod hwnnw yn Carreg Lam, siarad am be oedd o’n neud fory a hefyd beth oedd o’n neud ar y penwythnos a hyn i gyd yn defnyddio’r Gymraeg. Erbyn hyn mae Leo wedi ymgartrefu’n wych yn ôl i’r ystafell ddosbarth ac yn rhan lawn o’r dosbarth.”
Yn dilyn rhaglen 12 wythnos o hyd yn Carreg Lam (a leolir ym Mhont-y-pŵl), mae Leo yn cael ei gefnogi am 12 wythnos arall trwy wersi peripatetig i barhau i roi hwb i'w hyder.
Dywedodd mam Leo: “Yn flaenorol roedd Leo yn swil iawn… ond nawr mae’n teimlo’n hyderus yn yr ysgol ac mewn sefyllfaoedd cymdeithasol y tu allan i’r ysgol. Mae bellach yn awyddus i gymryd rhan mewn darllen Cymraeg gyda mi hefyd. Mae Leo wedi fy ysbrydoli i ddysgu Cymraeg ac rwy'n dechrau fy nghwrs wythnos nesaf. Dw i eisiau i bobl fynd amdani!”
Mae Carreg Lam yn chwilio am ddisgyblion ar gyfer ei thrydedd garfan. Edrychwch ar eu gwefan am fwy o wybodaeth: www.carreg-lam.com neu cysylltwch â carreg-lam@torfaen.gov.uk.
"Gwelais newid mawr: roedd hyder Leo wedi cynyddu!"
"I saw a big change, Leo's confidence had grown!"
Carreg Lam is Torfaen’s Welsh immersion centre primarily set up to support children who want to transfer to Welsh medium education. Now teaching its second cohort of pupils, Carreg Lam staff and Torfaen’s school staff work tirelessly to support children who have transitioned into main-stream classes.
One such example was been Leo who was part of Carreg Lam’s first cohort in the Summer Term of 2023. He has now transitioned into his class at Ysgol Gymraeg Cwmbran.
Mr Price, Leo’s teacher said: “Before starting Carreg Lam, Leo lacked confidence and did not feel comfortable with the Welsh language. After a few weeks at Carreg Lam I saw a big change: Leo's confidence had grown. He was willing to come up to me and discuss what he had done that day in Carreg Lam, talk about what he was doing tomorrow and also what he was doing at the weekend and all this using the Welsh language. By now Leo has settled wonderfully back into the classroom and is a full part of the class.”
Following a 12-week long programme at Carreg Lam (based in Pontypool), Leo is being supported for another 12 weeks through peripatetic lessons to continue to boost his confidence.
Leo’s mother said: “Previously Leo was extremely shy… but now he feels confident both in school and during social situations outside of school. He’s now eager a willing to engage in Welsh reading with me too. Leo has inspired me to learn Welsh and I begin my course next week. I want people to just go for it!”
Carreg Lam is looking for pupils for its third cohort. Have a look a their website for more information: www.carreg-lam.com or contact carreg-lam@torfaen.gov.uk.