'I JUST don't have enough time' is an oft-cited reason for not learning a language.

Despite truly wanting to learn the tongue of the country you live in, many people struggle to find the time in a busy life of work and family commitments. And parents are amongst those who really do struggle for time.

However, a free Welsh language course that enables parents to take young children to their lessons is to be provided across North Wales by the Welsh Government as it looks to achieve one million Welsh speakers in Wales by 2050.

The scheme, called Clwb Cwtsh, uses games and songs to introduce the Welsh language to parents, carers and prospective parents whilst providing entertainment for their children.

When they grow up, the children will have the opportunity to speak Welsh with their parents.

A joint project between the National Centre for Learning Welsh, which runs the lessons, and Mudiad Meithrin, a voluntary organisation specialising in Welsh-medium early years provisions that provides the children's entertainment, the scheme was first launched as a pilot in February this year and saw more than 500 people completing the course.

The course, which runs for eight weeks, follows a successful pilot scheme earlier this year in which 500 people learned beginners Welsh.

In Denbighshire, the course will be held at the Mudiad Meithrin centres in Abergele and Kimnel Bay.

Paddy Mahon, a father from Bala who attended Clwb Cwtsh sessions in the town, said he wanted to learn Welsh for his 18-month-old son and feels that the more exposure his son has to the language, the easier it will be for him at school. Mr Mahon said: “I guess every parent wants to try and give their child the best 'springboard' possible and attending Clwb Cwtsh is my way of trying to do that. The good thing about the class is that everyone is made to feel comfortable. Singing nursery rhymes is always a good ice breaker!”

Speaking at the launch of the scheme at the Pierhead in Cardiff Bay on Tuesday, October 2, Eluned Morgan AM, minister for Welsh Language and lifelong learning, said: “Clwb Cwtsh has already experienced a great deal of success. Enabling so many adults to start learning Welsh in such a short period of time is a significant achievement.

“Providing increased opportunities for adults to learn Welsh is vital to reaching our target of one million Welsh speakers by 2050. Offering entertainment for children whilst adults learn is a creative way of increasing access to opportunities for adults to start on their journey to becoming confident Welsh speakers.”

Dr Gwenllian Lansdown Davies, chief executive of Mudiad Meithrin, added: “I’m delighted that we’re here today to launch the second round of ‘Clwb Cwtsh’. Since we started earlier this year, we have received a great response across Wales. The fact that children can come to the sessions with their families has been welcomed. We are looking forward to seeing the project grow at grass roots level.”

Another roll-out of the scheme has been proposed for early 2019.

Entrants are not obliged to join in the first week but are advised to receive the full benefits of the course.

For more information on the Abergele and Kimnel Bay courses call Mudiad Meithrin on 01970 639601.