Welsh is an old Celtic language that is still spoken. Cymru is the Welsh name for Wales. If you look at the place names, Caernarfon and Llangollen, you’ll get an impression of the language. Pronouncing them is a tongue twister, but have a go. . .!

You can find an easy version of the text here: Wales - Text in Brief
An introduction to Wales
(The audio begins with a brief summary of the text)

Mountains and Industry
Wales, with its 3 million inhabitants can be divided roughly into two geographical and economic areas. In the north there are beautiful, wild hills and deep river valleys. Tourism is a very important source of income in this area. Many Englishmen visit this rugged landscape, and some of them even build their own holiday cottages in northern Wales. The highest mountain in Wales, Snowdon (1,085 metres), is situated in Snowdonia National Park, an area perfect for mountain climbing. Due to the mountains and deep valleys, agriculture and industry have been difficult in this area, so the population density is low.
Southern Wales, on the other hand, is more densely populated. Traditionally, the south has been renowned for its coalmines. This has changed, however. Nowadays, most of the coalmines are closed, and the chief industries are engineering and electronics. In the countryside, sheep and cattle farming is predominant.

Cities
The three most important cities in Wales are all situated in the south. Cardiff was chosen as the country’s capital city in 1955, mainly because of its size. Cardiff is a wonderful city for tourists with its castle, the Welsh National Museum and the Llandaff Cathedral. East of Cardiff is the city of Newport with its beautiful 15th century cathedral, and finally Swansea, the most industrial of all Welsh cities. In spite of its industry, Swansea can boast a total of 45 parks.
The Welsh have strong traditions of music and poetry and this is celebrated in their annual music festival – “eisteddfod”.
Tongue Twisters
In Wales, 20% of the population speak Welsh, a Celtic language, which is still taught in schools. You can see it on the road signs which are in both Welsh and English. See if you can get your tongue around these.


Not only difficult to pronounce but confusing!
The English is clear enough to lorry drivers - but the Welsh reads "I am not in the office at the moment. Send any work to be translated." (BBC News 31 October 2008)
Tasks and Activities
Comprehension
Wales - Multiple ChoiceResearch
- Search the internet for tongue twisters and see if you can find any tricky words and phrases to pronounce yourself. There is also a tongue-twister activity in the menu on your right.
- Do a search on 'Welsh pronunciation' to find sound samples of Welsh. You may want to add *.mp3 or *.wav in your search if the search engine does not support specific audio search.
- What is Wales famous for? Search the internet and make a list of five things you would like to see or do in Wales. You may use places referred to in the text as your starting point.
Learning content
The British Isles
Fagstoff
The UK
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumAn Introduction to England
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumA Closer Look at England
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumAn Introduction to Scotland
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumA Closer Look at Scotland
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculum- Core content is a subject that is on the curriculum
An Introduction to Wales You are here
A Closer Look at Wales
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumAn Introduction to Northern Ireland
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumA Closer Look at Northern Ireland
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumAn Introduction to Ireland
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumEasy Text - The UK
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumEasy Text - An Intro. to England
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumLondon
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumLiverpool
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumManchester
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumCambridge
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumThe North - South Divide
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumThe Faces of London
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumEasy Text - An intro. to Scotland
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumBraveheart
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumBobby - the Faithful Dog from Edinburgh
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumEasy Text - An intro. to Wales
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumEasy Text - An intro. to Northern Ireland
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumThe Troubles
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumThe Troubles, Introduction - Text in Brief
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumThe Troubles, History - Text in Brief
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumThe Troubles, 1960s to Today - Text in Brief
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumThe Orange and the Green
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumFlags in Northern Ireland
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumRadio Play: Into Exile
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumDublin
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumIrish Proverbs
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumMolly Malone
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumFrank McCourt: Angela's Ashes
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculum
Oppgaver og aktiviteter
UK Quiz - General Knowledge
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumEngland Quiz
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumTask - Match place and description
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumPlan a Holiday in Scotland
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumTask: Bobby - the faithful dog...
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumWales Quiz
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumNorthern Ireland Quiz
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumTasks - The Troubles
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumTasks: Into Exile
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumTask: Molly Malone
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumQuiz Molly Malone
Core content is a subject that is on the curriculumEdinburgh Castle
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumLoch Ness
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumIn the Name of the Father (film)
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculum
Kildemateriale
The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill and Came Down a Mountain
Additional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumAdditional content is a subject that is not on the curriculumThere is no core content available for kildemateriale.