Julie Brake, senior lecturer in Welsh at Wrexham Glyndwr University, said: “I don’t think you can categorise a language as being either ‘difficult’ or ‘easy’ to learn but it is certainly easier to become fluent in a language which has similarities with your mother tongue.
“It is also easier to acquire a language if you are surrounded by fluent speakers of that language.
“Welsh learners, particularly those in predominantly English speaking areas of Wales often lack the direct contact with fluent speakers which can facilitate the learning process.”
