Ukranian children have learned nearly fluent Welsh in…

Ukranian children have learned nearly fluent Welsh in just a few months

A heartwarming video showing Ukrainian children speaking Welsh at a primary school on Anglesey has made its rounds on social media. Sofiia, aged eight, Natalia, aged nine, and Danylo, aged 11, have all learnt Welsh in a matter of weeks.

In a report by Newyddion S4C, their teachers at Ysgol Gymuned Moelfre in Moelfre on Anglesey have described their understanding of the language as "incredible". Since September, they have learnt words and phrases on various topics in the language such as on animals and the weather.

According to the children, not only have they been able to learn a new language but they have also made new friends. Eight-year-old Sofiia, who is originally from Kryvyi Rih in Ukraine, said: "I like to read and write, and a little bit of singing. I speak Welsh with my friends at school."

Nine-year-old Natalia, from Odesa, said: "I have been learning Welsh for 11 weeks. I love Welsh." She added: "I have learnt about animals, dressing, weather, eating, fruit. I want to learn Welsh because it helps me." Natalia then went on to say that her favourite word to say in Welsh was "archfarchnad", which means 'supermarket'.

11-year-old Danylo lived in Bronytsia before the war. He said: "I like playing football with my friends." One of their teachers called Nesta Davies said: "Seeing the journey in 12 weeks has been incredible. If anyone asked me to learn a language in 12 weeks, I couldn't do it. And these little children are like sponges absorbing every single thing."

But as the war continues in Ukraine, home is never far from their thoughts as Eira Owen explained. She said: "The children are amazing but there are times you can see that they are sometimes far away. We have shed a tear during term hearing how they fled.

"And as they talk about their dad or their cousins, who are still in Ukraine. And about families who are nurses and so on, and could not flee." Later in the video, Natalia added: "I am very sad. I have cousins in Ukraine. A little cousin called Nastja and a big cousin called Jarosláv. I'm sad because I'm not in Ukraine for Christmas. But I am safe here in Wales."

The video clip on Newyddion S4C's Twitter page has garnered widespread attention, including BBC weatherman Owain Wyn Evans tweeting: "This is special". Bedwyr Morgan tweeted: "Incredible! And congratulations to the teachers of Ysgol Moelfre. Fantastic". Caryl Owen Davies added: "These children are incredible".