@ann-6 That’s such a lovely story, thanks so much for sharing it! 
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Is it okay to share a few thoughts upon finishing Level 2 here?
The most significant achievement for me is that I am relaxed and confident about speaking this new language. It’s a great feeling - not going weak at the knees at the prospect of a chat but looking forward to it, whatever comes, any level and any topic! Being happy with myself at this stage, when there is still so much I wouldn’t understand, is a luxury I never had with any other of the languages I’ve learned. It’s the method and the people that make the difference. Thank you and see you on Level 3!
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Longyfarchiafau mawr @Irina that’s so lovely to hear, even if I am a tad jealous! I still sweat, get the shakes and gabble but it doesn’t stop me from having a go. Your story just makes me want to try even harder so thanks for the inspiration. Hopefully one day I’ll feel a little calmer.
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I’ve kept going with a weekly call - and last time, in response to hearing my ‘Ann dw i’ I got ‘O, it’s Ann - fy ffrind…’. No time to float though, because then we were off!
(Was so pleased to hear I’ve been learning Dyma Gariad @ceri-francis - I’m just sorry I couldn’t work out recording in time for Thursday’s deadline. But we’re both grateful that you got me learning it 
)
If anyone ever has time for a more gently paced ‘faith Welsh’ chat, I’m sure I could find one valuable!
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Thank you Jenny! You are very brave for going on despite it being uncomfortable but I’m sure it will get better and better! 
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This time last year:
I was 2 months in to learning Welsh with SSIW, I hadn’t spoken to anyone in Welsh at all (no, not even a little “diolch!”), I hadn’t tried to make that first single-word recording in Welsh (I can hear the tension in my voice when I listen to it!), had never been on a hangout (you can read about the terror of my first hangout in August last year somewhere here on the forum!), and I definitely wouldn’t have entertained the idea of making a video (in English, never mind in Welsh)… so I’m totally amazed that I’ve been able to make a little video (in Welsh!) and its going to be shown on TV tomorrow!!! If you’d like to tune in, its FFIT Cymru at 9pm on 5 May on S4C. I’m so excited (and still a bit scared!) but this really shows what’s possible with SSIW - if I can do this, then you can too!! So if you’re struggling with those initial terrors like I did, please stick with it - you may be able to surprise yourself like I’ve done too!!
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Woo Hoo! Way to go Cetra! 
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I have one! I’m so excited that I spoke Welsh today for the first time with a real person! I went on slack and chatted with a lovely lady for half an hour!! I can’t believe I can hold a conversation after only 12 lessons! She was very patient and helped me along, but it was so lovely to speak Welsh in real time. Thank you ssiw!!
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And I can’t believe you did all that after just 12 lessons - da iawn ti!!!
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The course is so great that it makes you feel confident to speak. I had just listened to lesson 12 and Iestyn was saying that i should be speaking in Welsh i’n between lessons so i thought I’d give it a go!
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I generally find listening comprehension difficult - I recognise words but it takes a few seconds to recall the meaning. So I was chuffed when, while listening to the Pigion podcast, I heard “wedi dysgu sut i chwarae golff” and immediately knew what it meant without having to translate it.
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I finally plucked up the courage to go on hangout after just a month on the six month course. I felt so nervous but everyone really helped me to chat a bit in Welsh, lovely people. Another milestone was watching iaith ar daith and understood the person’s pet chihuahua was called cariad! 
Aww. Without subtitles to help me
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This isn’t about speaking - but it is an example of guerilla Cymraeg seeping into my life!
I’ve been speeding through level 1 (due to lockdown) and feeling a bit saturated (Radio Cymru on in the background right now - not that I understand, mind!).
I’ve noticed that I’ve started putting little bits of Cymraeg in emails to (English) people. I didn’t intend to start doing this, but it feels quite nice.
PS I got pretty demoralised by level 1 challenges 13 + 14, but I’m pushing on - I consider this a small success as I am a recovering perfectionist so this is very much out of my comfort zone!
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Those are infamously difficult, but they’re important. I found them really rough going at the time, but in hindsight they transformed my ability to use longer sentences, which is an important step.
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I’m the same Sarah! They were solid! But I did them twice each then carried on and I actually can do the things from those lessons when they crop up now.
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It’s really nice to know that it’s not just me! Diolch!
I’ve just done 19 and it’s feeling much more manageable again.
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I’ve finally managed to see your video - dylet ti deimlo yn falch iawn ohonot ti dy hunan! Definitely should feel proud of yourself! (Can you tell me any more about the Ffit Cymru Soffa i 5K thing? What exactly is it / how does it work?)
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S’mae @ann-6! Thank you!! I found out about Soffa i 5K in this thread started by Beca: FFIT Cymru - Podlediad Dysgwyr
There’s a Soffa i 5k plan with a podcast in Welsh (suitable for learners) to follow to get you from not running at all to running 5k! Its brilliant! There are more details about it, and links to the podcasts, on the FFIT Cymru website: https://www.ffit.cymru/en/podrediad/ Hope that helps!
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I tried a sentence on a first language Welsh speaker from Cardiff today. She complimented my pronunciation and said “you’re getting to be a real Gog”. As an English person, I’ll take it!
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