I got this as a kid, so looking at it now, wow is it dated! Phoneboxes, corded telephones, boom boxes, record players... And the hair and clothes styles in the artwork... I really liked it when I read it as a kid, although I never managed to learn much Welsh. That was more on me than the book, though.

Looking at it as an adult, I think the layout is not so great. It's alright for a very brief overview. The pronunciation guide at the back is useful, and there is a two page spread of some basic Welsh grammar rules, but the layout of the pages was confusing, and I would have preferred more grammar rules in with the phrases rather than hidden at the end.

I can't comment on the internet linked stuff, because I didn't have access to use it as a kid. I would assume that the links have changed massively in the last twenty years though. ( )

For the most part, Welsh for Beginners is a fun and informative basic introduction to the Welsh language (and while I, personally, find the accompanying illustrations somewhat distracting, there is no doubt that for many individuals, illustrations are a welcome and often appreciated complement to language learning, to points of grammar). However, as I am first and foremost more of an academic, grammar-based language learner (especially when learning or attempting to learn a language on my own), I really would have appreciated, I really would have required a more in-depth explanation of Welsh grammar points (especially with regard to the mutations and when/how they occur).

And while I know that many language learning textbooks now seem to focus their chapters not so much on grammatical forms, but more on communicative themes, if Welsh for Beginners had been primarily divided into grammar-based chapters, instead of chapters covering greetings, table talk, hobbies and the like, it would have made my own attempts at learning basic, beginning Welsh both more enjoyable and more lastingly successful. That being said, I still quite enjoyed trying to learn Welsh from this book, but without more detailed, supplemental grammar instruction and explanations, I wonder how much of the material covered I will be able to lastingly retain and remember. Recommended for individuals interested in learning basic Welsh, Welsh for Beginners is or would be especially useful if traveling in Wales, as many different scenarios such as greetings, telling time, asking for directions and the like are described and presented in detail (and the fact that it is a rather lightweight and slim tome makes it very portable, very easy to take along in a backpack or even a large purse). ( )