Foo Seng Thean, 47, moved to the city with his family in 2015. Although fluent in English, he soon realised he couldn’t read local signage or join in everyday conversations in the language of his new home. Determined to change that, he began learning Welsh alongside his two sons.
“There’s an old saying — to prosper in a new place you must embrace its traditions and way of life,” he said. “That’s exactly what I’m doing. We sing together, share our learning, and even have a Welsh day at home. My niece in Singapore calls me her Welsh uncle!”
Foo Seng’s commitment has earned him the New Welsh Speaker Award at this year’s Inspire! Adult Learning Awards, which will be presented at Swansea’s Brangwyn Hall on 18 September. The awards, part of Adult Learners’ Week (15–21 September), celebrate people who have transformed their lives through learning.
His journey began while working at the Chinese in Wales Association’s Multi‑Cultural Hub, when he joined a Welsh in the Workplace course run by Swansea University’s Learn Welsh Swansea Bay Area. Since then, he has immersed himself in Welsh culture — joining the Welsh Learners Choir, performing at the 2024 National Eisteddfod, and promoting the language in the charity’s tri‑lingual communications.
Tutor Emyr Jones, who leads the choir, said: “He seized the opportunity to learn Welsh and was enthusiastic from the very start, both in class and through extra learning on his own.”
Foo Seng hopes his story will encourage more people from ethnic minority backgrounds to embrace the language. “I’ve been blown away by its beauty,” he said.
Adult Learners’ Week offers taster courses, online sessions and advice for anyone in Wales looking to start or return to learning. More information is available at adultlearnersweek.wales or via Working Wales on 0800 028 4844.
