blas. vs SaySomethingInWelsh: Which Is Right for You?

SaySomethingInWelsh (SSiW) is one of the most respected Welsh learning tools in existence. It's been around since 2005, has a devoted community, and has helped thousands of people go from zero to confident speakers. blas. is a newer app that takes a different approach. This comparison is about understanding what each one does, not declaring a winner. The honest answer is that most serious Welsh learners end up using both.

For a broader look at every Welsh learning tool available, see the Best Apps to Learn Welsh in 2026 comparison. If you're coming from Duolingo, see what happened to the Duolingo Welsh course and what alternatives exist.

Teaching Method

SSiW is audio-only. You hear a phrase in English, pause to formulate the Welsh, then hear the correct answer. There's no text on screen, no grammar tables, no written exercises. The idea is that you learn language the way you learned your first one: through sound, repetition, and pattern recognition. It works remarkably well for building speaking confidence.

blas. is primarily text-based. It teaches through structured lessons, written exercises, and drills. You read explanations, work through examples, and practise in writing before (optionally) moving to conversation. It's a more traditional grammar-first approach, designed for learners who want to understand the mechanics of the language.

These are fundamentally different philosophies, and both produce results. The question is which matches how your brain works and what skills you need.

Grammar Coverage

SSiW deliberately avoids grammar explanation. You learn patterns through repetition. You'll produce correct sentences before you can explain why they're correct. This is by design. SSiW's founders believe that explicit grammar knowledge can actually slow learners down by making them overthink.

blas. puts grammar front and centre. Each topic gets a structured lesson explaining the rule, followed by drills. You learn that Welsh uses VSO word order through bod constructions, why feminine nouns cause soft mutation after the article, and how the lack of "yes" and "no" works in practice. For more on what Welsh grammar involves, see the Welsh Grammar for Beginners guide.

Which approach is better depends on you. Some learners thrive without grammar explanation and find it liberating. Others feel lost without understanding the underlying system. Neither is wrong.

Mutation Teaching

Welsh has three mutations: treiglad meddal (soft), treiglad trwynol (nasal), and treiglad llaes (aspirate), and they're one of the biggest challenges for learners.

SSiW exposes you to mutations naturally through its audio exercises. You'll hear mutated forms and eventually start producing them correctly through pattern matching. But SSiW never names the mutations, never explains which triggers cause which type, and never drills them systematically. You learn them the way a child might: gradually, through immersion.

blas. has dedicated mutation sessions that drill every trigger and every consonant change. Each mutation type is taught separately with its complete rule set, then mixed drills test your ability to apply the right mutation in context. The complete guide to Welsh mutations shows what this involves.

For spoken Welsh, SSiW's implicit approach may be sufficient. Many fluent Welsh speakers can't name the mutation rules but apply them correctly. For written Welsh, reading comprehension, or exam preparation, systematic mutation knowledge is essential.

Reading and Writing

SSiW is audio-only by design. You won't learn to read or write Welsh through SSiW. The course doesn't include written text, and the creators actively discourage reading along during lessons. This is intentional: they want you focused on sound, not spelling.

blas. includes graded reading passages from A1 to C1, plus writing exercises. If you need to read Welsh (signs, websites, books, exams) blas. covers it. SSiW does not.

Speaking Practice

This is where SSiW excels. The entire method is built around getting Welsh out of your mouth. From lesson one, you're producing full sentences. The pause-think-speak rhythm builds genuine speaking confidence faster than any text-based tool. Many SSiW users report being able to hold basic conversations within weeks.

blas. has a conversation feature for text-based dialogue practice with grammar feedback, but it's not the same as the intensive spoken production that SSiW provides. For pure speaking confidence, SSiW is the stronger tool.

Community

SSiW has a large, active, and welcoming community. The forum is one of the best places online to meet other Welsh learners. There are regular online hangouts, meetups, and the annual Bootcamp (an intensive weekend immersion event). The community alone is worth something. Having people to practise with and ask questions of is genuinely valuable.

blas. is a newer app and has a smaller community. It doesn't have a forum or social features. If community and social learning are important to you, SSiW has a significant advantage here.

Pricing

SSiW: First few challenges are free. Full access is ~£13/month or ~£99/year. This includes all audio lessons, the forum, and community events.

blas.: Free tier covers the first two stages of grammar and mutations with unlimited sessions and full spaced repetition. Premium unlocks all content.

Both offer enough for free that you can try them meaningfully before paying. SSiW's free content gives you a real taste of the method. blas.'s free tier has genuine depth within its scope.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Who Should Use SSiW

SSiW is the right choice if speaking is your primary goal and you learn best through audio. If you hate grammar tables, if you want to be conversational as quickly as possible, and if you learn by doing rather than studying, SSiW's method is built for you. The community is also a genuine asset; having other learners to practise with makes a real difference.

Who Should Use blas.

blas. is the right choice if you want to understand the grammar system, if you need to read and write Welsh, or if mutations are tripping you up and you need systematic drilling. It's also the better choice for exam preparation or if you're someone who needs to understand why something works before you can remember it.

The Recommended Combination

The combination of SSiW + a grammar tool is the most commonly recommended approach in Welsh learning communities, and for good reason. SSiW gets you speaking and builds confidence; blas. teaches you why things work and fills the grammar/reading/writing gaps that SSiW deliberately leaves.

A practical approach: SSiW for 20-30 minutes (one challenge) plus blas. for 10-15 minutes of grammar and mutation drilling. The two reinforce each other. The grammar understanding from blas. helps you notice patterns in SSiW, and the speaking practice from SSiW brings your grammar knowledge to life.

If you're also looking for structured classroom learning, consider adding a Dysgu Cymraeg course. The National Centre for Learning Welsh offers free and subsidised courses at all levels. Combined with SSiW and blas., you'd have one of the most complete Welsh learning setups possible.

The Honest Answer

SSiW is a proven, well-respected tool that genuinely works for speaking. blas. is a newer tool that fills the grammar, reading, and writing gaps. They're not competitors. They're complements. If you have to pick one, pick SSiW if speaking is everything, pick blas. if understanding the language system matters more. But the best answer for most serious learners is both.