A recent graduate of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David has won the Norah Isaac Award at a special reception hosted by the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol at the Eisteddfod Maes in Wrexham.
The Norah Isaac Prize is awarded annually by the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol. The College established this award in 2014 in memory of Norah Isaac. It is awarded to the student who obtained the best result in the College’s Welsh Language Skills Certificate assessment.
This year, Siôn Jones from Drefach Felindre won the award. Siôn has just graduated from the BA Primary Education with QTS course.
He said: “It’s an amazing feeling and a privilege! I’m very proud of this recognition because I use the Welsh language every day and it’s a big part of my life. It’s lovely to be rewarded for something that’s natural and important to me. It was a special surprise to receive the email saying that I had won the award!"
“Completing the language skills certificate has made me realise how many opportunities there are for Welsh speakers and gaining a qualification like this is important because it shows others that I am fluent and committed to the Welsh language."
“I use the language naturally on a day-to-day basis and it’s part of our culture and identity, but having the opportunity to gain the certificate while studying on the course has given formal evidence of my language skills and will be of great help as I apply for a position as a teacher, also showing that I want to continue to use and promote it in the future."
The language skills certificate has been developed to give students and staff the opportunity to gain a certificate that shows evidence of their language skills, and their ability to work through the medium of Welsh. A number of employers have declared their support for the Certificate since its inception.
The Certificate was first introduced in 2013 and recognises oral and written skills and provides strong evidence to demonstrate to employers of individuals’ ability to work in Welsh.
Bethan Griffiths, Language Skills Certificate Tutor at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David said:
“We are extremely proud of Siôn’s special achievement, winning this year’s Norah Isaac Award. This is the second time that a student from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David has won the award, which recognises Norah Isaac’s pioneering contribution to the world of Welsh language education. With Norah herself a former lecturer at Trinity College, it’s great that this year’s award is being won by a student who is about to start his career in education. Heartfelt congratulations to you Siôn and best wishes for the future.”
The Language Skills Certificate is a great opportunity to gain a professional qualification in Welsh and is available to all students and staff at the University. For further information please contact: [email protected]