Peniarth launch a new series for Welsh learners on progression steps 2 to 3
On Thursday, 1st June at the University of Wales Trinity St David stand at the Urdd Eisteddfod, Llandovery, Peniarth, one of the main publishers of Welsh and bilingual education books and resources in Wales, and part of the University’s Welsh Language Services Centre will launch a new series; Mêts Maesllan 2 commissioned by the Welsh Government.
This series follows the huge success of Mêts Maesllan which was launched in 2014. As in the first series, the books and activities follow the adventures and interests of the same group of friends in the village of Maesllan, Mim, Ben, Sam, and Wil who are now 11 and 12 years old. There are 32 cross-curricular books in the series which include some fiction, non-fiction and some in the form of verse and rhyme. The books are graded on 4 levels so that readers can continue to follow the progress and adventures of the characters as their skills develop.
The original Mêts Maesllan series was created to help children in Key Stage 2 who have specific learning difficulties in mastering literacy in Welsh. The series focuses on phonetic and language patterns based on ‘O Gam i Gam’ (Griffith, updated by Tomos and Jones, 2009) and the Ffynhonnell Eirfaol (Hughes, 1978). The books and activities are completely suitable for pupils with Dyslexia, and the simplicity of the language used makes them popular with pupils in the English medium sector also.
The books are short, between 16 and 28 pages to attract and maintain the interest of those children who may be reluctant to read. There is a special website which includes digital and paper activities to accompany each book to confirm the vocabulary and language patterns presented.
Nerine Jones, Welsh Development Officer for Swansea City Council said,
“It’s wonderful to see new and attractive reading resources which are simple enough in language for learners in the English medium sector, but which are also mature in design, to appeal to older children at the end of their primary period and the beginning of secondary school. The resources that accompany the series are fantastic and also develop the learners’ writing skills.”
Nana Ryder, one of the authors of the series and Senior Lecturer in Education at the Centre for Professional Learning and Leadership, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, said:
“Following the popularity of the first series, we as a writing team are extremely proud to see the publication of the second series of Mêts Maesllan. Thank you to Peniarth for giving us the opportunity once again to continue following the ups and downs of the four friends – Ben, Mim, Sam and Wil through a series of fiction and non-fiction books and some that bridge the two media. The inclusive format and language levels make them suitable reading material for learners in Key Stages two and three as well as for those learners with Additional Learning Needs. We have also covered themes across all Learning and Experience Areas within these books and activities. We very much hope that Mêts Maesllan 2 will be warmly welcomed by children, young people, teachers, and families across Wales and beyond”.
Call by the University’s stand during the day, number 14–19 for a cuppa, chat, and a chance to browse the new resources.