Intrigued by Cornish? Learn basic Cornish in a fun and interactive way on this friendly and supportive in-person short course. Suitable for complete beginners.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
Cornish is a Celtic language native to Cornwall in the southwest of the United Kingdom, part of the same linguistic family as Welsh and Breton, and more distantly related to Irish, Scots Gaelic and Manx. What makes Cornish particularly interesting to learn is its revival story - after nearly dying out in the 18th Century, it has been brought back to life by passionate speakers and communities. Learning Cornish connects you to a rich cultural heritage, including unique folklore, music, and place names that reveal deep ties to the land. It also offers a fresh perspective on how languages can be revitalized and sustained, making it a fascinating case study for linguists and language enthusiasts alike. Learning Cornish is a great way to support and celebrate regional identity and the diverse cultures of the British Isles.
Our friendly and supportive Cornish Short Introduction course enables you to learn basic Cornish and start communicating in real-life situations. You’ll learn the necessary vocabulary and grammar for basic communication, and lay the groundwork for future learning.
What will we cover?
You will learn vocabulary and basic Cornish structures covering: introducing oneself, personal information, talking about daily routines, work and professions.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
By the end of this course you should be able to …
introduce yourself
count up to 100
ask and give basic personal information
tell the time
talk simply about your routine
talk about work and professions
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Suitable for complete beginners.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Our courses are characterised by spoken interaction and communication. Typical activities include pair work, group work, role plays and games. A range of resources will be used to support your learning including presentations, hand-outs, and audio-visual material.
Homework is highly recommended to consolidate learning.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Students are advised to obtain a copy of BORA BRAV (2nd edition) by Polin Prys and to bring this with them to the first session. (Bora Brav, published by Kesva an Taves Kernewek. ISBN: 9781908965394)
Dr. Gary Retallick Mathematics and Science Gary obtained his Phd in Philosophy of Physics from Kings College London in 2006. His thesis explored the physics of time, touching upon relativity, field equations, quantum mechanics, thermodynamics and metaphysics. Gary began his teaching career in computing, going on to teach philosophy for the WEA and Mary Ward Centre, and physics and mathematics at both Birkbeck College London and the Open University. He currently teaches various science related courses, spanning topics in physics, chemistry and mathematics, at City Lit. Languages - Cornish Aside from his career in Science, Gary has an ongoing interest in languages, in particular Cornish, the language of his ancestors. He began studying Cornish at City Lit in 1998, and after passing the grade three Cornish exam with distinction he started to assist his tutor, Jo P'rhys. After a number of years as language assistant to the class, Gary was formally appointed as teacher of the Cornish beginners class, allowing Jo to concentrate on the higher level classes. Gary now teaches both the beginners and lower intermediate classes.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/cornish-beginners-short-introduction2903262Cornish beginners: short introductionhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/cornish-beg-mod-1-lh115-1024.jpg5959GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Languages/Courses/Languages/Celtic/Courses/Languages/Celtic/Cornish/Courses/Courses for beginners228512801295129618391228512801295<p>Intrigued by Cornish? Learn basic Cornish in a fun and interactive way on this friendly and supportive in-person short course. Suitable for complete beginners.</p>003084280Cornish beginners: short introduction5959https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/cornish-beg-mod-1-lh115-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeMonKeeley StreetAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekday2026-11-02T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersNov 2026LanguagesLH1025959Cornish beginners: short introduction595959Gary Retallickcornish-beginners-short-introduction/lh102-2627<p>Intrigued by Cornish? Learn basic Cornish in a fun and interactive way on this friendly and supportive in-person short course. Suitable for complete beginners.</p>0000-Available|2026-11-02 00:00:00<p>Cornish is a Celtic language native to Cornwall in the southwest of the United Kingdom, part of the same linguistic family as Welsh and Breton, and more distantly related to Irish, Scots Gaelic and Manx. What makes Cornish particularly interesting to learn is its revival story - after nearly dying out in the 18th Century, it has been brought back to life by passionate speakers and communities. Learning Cornish connects you to a rich cultural heritage, including unique folklore, music, and place names that reveal deep ties to the land. It also offers a fresh perspective on how languages can be revitalized and sustained, making it a fascinating case study for linguists and language enthusiasts alike. Learning Cornish is a great way to support and celebrate regional identity and the diverse cultures of the British Isles.</p><p>Our friendly and supportive Cornish Short Introduction course enables you to learn basic Cornish and start communicating in real-life situations. You’ll learn the necessary vocabulary and grammar for basic communication, and lay the groundwork for future learning.</p><p>Intrigued by Cornish? Learn basic Cornish in a fun and interactive way on this friendly and supportive in-person short course. Suitable for complete beginners.</p><p>You will learn vocabulary and basic Cornish structures covering: introducing oneself, personal information, talking about daily routines, work and professions.</p><p>By the end of this course you should be able to …</p><ul><li>introduce yourself</li><li>count up to 100</li><li>ask and give basic personal information</li><li>tell the time</li><li>talk simply about your routine</li><li>talk about work and professions</li></ul><p>Suitable for complete beginners.</p><p>Our courses are characterised by spoken interaction and communication. Typical activities include pair work, group work, role plays and games. A range of resources will be used to support your learning including presentations, hand-outs, and audio-visual material.</p><p>Homework is highly recommended to consolidate learning.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Students are advised to obtain a copy of BORA BRAV (2nd edition) by Polin Prys and to bring this with them to the first session. (Bora Brav, published by Kesva an Taves Kernewek. ISBN: 9781908965394)</p><p>Please ask your tutor for advice.</p>CelticCornishvirtual595959LH102NONEMon02/11/26 - 23/11/2610:30 - 11:3010:3011:304 sessions (over 4 weeks)41 to 4 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetGary RetallickBeginnersAvailable courses2026-11-02T00:00:00+00:00Nov 2026Languages5959Cornish beginners: short introductioncornish-beginners-short-introduction/lh102-2627<p>Intrigued by Cornish? Learn basic Cornish in a fun and interactive way on this friendly and supportive in-person short course. Suitable for complete beginners.</p>0000-Available|2026-11-02 00:00:00<p>Cornish is a Celtic language native to Cornwall in the southwest of the United Kingdom, part of the same linguistic family as Welsh and Breton, and more distantly related to Irish, Scots Gaelic and Manx. What makes Cornish particularly interesting to learn is its revival story - after nearly dying out in the 18th Century, it has been brought back to life by passionate speakers and communities. Learning Cornish connects you to a rich cultural heritage, including unique folklore, music, and place names that reveal deep ties to the land. It also offers a fresh perspective on how languages can be revitalized and sustained, making it a fascinating case study for linguists and language enthusiasts alike. Learning Cornish is a great way to support and celebrate regional identity and the diverse cultures of the British Isles.</p><p>Our friendly and supportive Cornish Short Introduction course enables you to learn basic Cornish and start communicating in real-life situations. You’ll learn the necessary vocabulary and grammar for basic communication, and lay the groundwork for future learning.</p><p>Intrigued by Cornish? Learn basic Cornish in a fun and interactive way on this friendly and supportive in-person short course. Suitable for complete beginners.</p><p>You will learn vocabulary and basic Cornish structures covering: introducing oneself, personal information, talking about daily routines, work and professions.</p><p>By the end of this course you should be able to …</p><ul><li>introduce yourself</li><li>count up to 100</li><li>ask and give basic personal information</li><li>tell the time</li><li>talk simply about your routine</li><li>talk about work and professions</li></ul><p>Suitable for complete beginners.</p><p>Our courses are characterised by spoken interaction and communication. Typical activities include pair work, group work, role plays and games. A range of resources will be used to support your learning including presentations, hand-outs, and audio-visual material.</p><p>Homework is highly recommended to consolidate learning.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Students are advised to obtain a copy of BORA BRAV (2nd edition) by Polin Prys and to bring this with them to the first session. (Bora Brav, published by Kesva an Taves Kernewek. ISBN: 9781908965394)</p><p>Please ask your tutor for advice.</p>CelticCornishconfigurable
