One of the most important steps in learning any language is getting your ears used to the sounds.

When you first start to learn Welsh, reading textbooks and using apps is great. But to truly understand how native speakers talk, you need to listen to real conversations.

This is where Welsh TV shows and podcasts come in. Watching TV and listening to podcasts is one of the best ways to get “comprehensible input.” This simply means surrounding yourself with language you can mostly understand, which naturally helps your brain absorb new vocabulary and grammar.

Plus, it exposes you to the real, everyday Welsh that people actually speak, rather than just the formal textbook versions.

Here’s a guide to the best Welsh TV shows and podcasts for learners, along with a few tips to help you get the most out of them.

The best Welsh TV shows for learners

Most Welsh TV shows are produced by S4C (the Welsh language television channel) and are available to stream for free on the BBC iPlayer or the S4C Clic app.

Here are some of the best shows to help you practice.

Pobol y Cwm (people of the valley)

This is the longest-running television soap opera in Wales. It’s set in a fictional village in South Wales, making it the perfect show if you want to practice listening to the Southern Welsh dialect.

Because it’s a soap opera, the characters talk about normal, everyday things like family, work, and relationships. This makes the vocabulary very practical for learners.

Rownd a rownd (round and round)

If you’re learning the Northern Welsh dialect, this is the show for you. Rownd a Rownd is another popular soap opera, but it’s set in Menai Bridge on the Isle of Anglesey in North Wales.

It originally started as a youth show, so the language is relatively easy to follow, but it now features characters of all ages. It’s fantastic for learning casual, everyday North Walian phrases.

Deian a Loli

Don’t skip children’s TV! Deian a Loli is a highly popular live-action children’s show about twins who have magical powers.

Children’s shows use simpler vocabulary, speak at a slower pace, and often repeat key words. If you’re a beginner, this is a fun, accessible way to practice your listening.

Craith (Hidden) or Y Gwyll (Hinterland)

If you enjoy crime dramas and mysteries, you’ll love these shows. Both are famous “Nordic noir” style crime thrillers set in beautiful Welsh landscapes.

What makes them great for learners is that they were filmed “back-to-back” in both English and Welsh. You can watch the Welsh versions on S4C. The tone is slow, moody, and very dramatic, so the dialogue is often spoken slowly and clearly.

The best Welsh podcasts for learners

Podcasts are brilliant because you can listen to them while walking the dog, doing dishes, or riding the bus. Here are three excellent podcasts aimed at different levels.

Pigion (BBC radio cymru)

Pigion literally translates to “pickings” or “highlights.” This podcast is made specifically for Welsh learners.

Every week, they take short clips from various Welsh radio shows and play them with helpful commentary. The host introduces the clips slowly, explains difficult vocabulary, and provides context so you don’t get lost.

SaySomethingInWelsh podcast

If you’re using the popular SaySomethingInWelsh course, this is a great companion. The podcast features interviews with people who have successfully learned Welsh as adults, as well as native speakers.

It’s incredibly motivating to hear other learners speak and share their language journeys.

Sgwrsio

This podcast is perfect for intermediate learners. Sgwrsio (which means “chatting”) features casual interviews with different Welsh speakers about their lives, hobbies, and careers.

It exposes you to a wide variety of accents and helps you bridge the gap between learner materials and full-speed native radio.

Understanding regional dialects in Welsh media

When you start watching Welsh TV, you’ll quickly notice that someone from North Wales (Gogledd) sounds different from someone from South Wales (De).

This is a completely normal part of the language! They’re the exact same language, just with different accents and a few different vocabulary words. It’s very similar to how an American and a British person both speak English but use different words for “elevator” (lift) or “apartment” (flat).

Here’s a quick table of common words you’ll hear on TV depending on which region the show is set in:

If you watch Rownd a Rownd, you might hear a character say:

But if you turn on Pobol y Cwm, a character is more likely to say:

Both are perfectly correct, and native speakers understand both. As a learner, you should choose one dialect to practice speaking, but try to listen to both so you can understand anyone you meet!

Tips for using media to learn Welsh

To finish up, here are a few simple tips to make sure you’re actually learning when you watch or listen, rather than just tuning out:

• Use Welsh subtitles, not English. When watching TV on S4C or iPlayer, you can usually choose between English or Welsh subtitles. If you use English, your brain will stop trying to listen to the Welsh. Using Welsh subtitles forces you to link the spoken words to the written letters.
• Shadow the speakers. When a character says a common phrase, pause the show and repeat it out loud exactly how they said it. This trains your mouth to make the right sounds.
• Don’t pause for every word. It’s okay if you only understand 40% of what is being said. Try to get the general meaning from the context on the screen. If you stop the show every five seconds to look up a word, you’ll get bored quickly.
• Listen more than once. If you find a 5-minute podcast clip you like, listen to it three times. The first time, just listen. The second time, try to pick out the verbs. The third time, you’ll be amazed at how much more you understand.

Exploring the world of Welsh TV and radio is a highly effective way to bring the language to life.