As part of #AdultLearnersWeek, we’re delighted to share a blog from Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol Academic Manager, Lisa O’Connor. Lisa, who is also an Adult Learning Wales Board Member, reflects on her own journey with lifelong learning - from an early and unexpected introduction to adult education, to teaching Welsh to inspiring learners, and now supporting the sector more broadly. Her story highlights the joy, impact, and importance of learning at every stage of life, and the role we all play in building a culture of learning in Wales.
“I had my first experience of adult education at the age of eight and before you say anything, I know, I wasn't an adult but there was some context to this. My parents wanted to learn French in preparation for a holiday and no one was available to babysit me on the night of the lesson so I went and sat in the back with a colouring book to keep me quiet. As tends to happen when a group of people are in a class for the first time, the adults were a little shy answering the questions and somewhere in my eight-year-old mind I decided I needed to help. I loved shouting out 'Bonjour' and 'Je m'appelle Lisa' and fair play to the teacher and the very patient class, due to my enthusiastic contribution I was allowed back for the 10 weeks. I'm sure this experience started my love of languages and I went on to study French in secondary school but oddly enough, the phrases I remember best are the ones I learned in those 10 weeks in that inclusive and supportive class – even for an 8 year old who was a little overconfident!
Since then, I've been fortunate to have the experience of moving to the other side and teaching Welsh to a number of amazing individuals who still make me smile when I think of them. I vividly remember an individual who had had a stroke a few months before the start of the lessons and I had the privilege of watching him not only learn Welsh but also begin to rebuild and restore his English skills, an individual who had already learned 6 languages and Welsh was number 7, and so many learners went from not speaking Welsh at all to delivering presentations and chairing meetings in Welsh. Each on their own journey but with the same goal, which is to learn and develop a skill after their compulsory education.
Now, I'm supporting the lifelong learning sector through my work with the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol. I'm also a board member of Adult Learning Wales and it's an interesting experience to gain insight into the work from that perspective. My heartfelt interest is in increasing Welsh language provision in the tertiary sector in general, ensuring that people are able to receive information and education in their language of choice. The Welsh language belongs to everyone in Wales and it’s therefore important that every learner has a good experience of Welsh, whether that’s a few words or a whole course because we all have a valuable role to play in realising the vision of a million speakers in 2050.”
Further Information
Adult Learners’ Week - Never Stop Learning
15 - 21 September 2025
Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol creates and promotes training and study opportunities in Welsh by working with further education colleges, schools, universities, apprenticeship providers and employers. They inspire and encourage everyone to use their Welsh skills.
