A mother who learned Welsh to support her children has been named Learner of the Year at the National Eisteddfod.
Julie McMillan's family has switched to speaking Welsh at home and the tax officer worker will start a new job teaching Welsh to adults in September.
Mrs McMillan, from Tynewydd, Rhondda, began learning three years ago and said she was "over the moon" with the award.
Another finalist was a Yorkshire man with a father from Hong Kong who became fluent using email and the internet.
David Chan, whose mother is English, has never lived in Wales and is now working with Bangor University despite still living in Yorkshire.
Mrs McMillan was nominated for the award by the head teacher of Ysgol Gynradd Ynyswen in recognition of the voluntary work she has done for the school.
She said she had worked hard for the last three years and was "over the moon" to win the award.
I just don't worry about mistakes any more. And I think that's the key to learning Welsh. Don't worry about your mistakes."
Julie McMillan, Welsh Learner of the Year
She said: "I've reached my ambition and I speak Welsh with my children. It's just amazing because I've only been learning for three years. It's just unbelievable.
"I wanted to learn because of the children because I decided to send them to a Welsh school and I wanted to be part of their school life, really, I wanted to help them with their homework and help them practise for the Eisteddfod."
Mrs McMillan said that before learning Welsh she had gone to parents evenings and felt "really embarrassed" when teachers had to speak to her in English.
She added: "I was determined that I wanted to learn the language to be a part of their life."
Although she admits to still making lots of mistakes, she said she no longer worries about them.
"I just think my language is flowing and I just don't worry about mistakes any more. And I think that's the key to learning Welsh. Don't worry about your mistakes."
She said she, her husband and children Seren, 11, and Ellis, eight, used to speak English at home but now only speak Welsh.
In September, she will start a new job teaching adult learners of Welsh in Treorchy.
Among the other finalists was Albie Abblot who moved to Carmarthenshire from England a decade ago.
He said he started learning Welsh to take his mind off the pain he suffered following an accident.
Scott Rowley, from Connah's Quay, was the fourth finalist. He is now studying Welsh at Bangor University and was described as the "Glyn Wise of Flintshire."
The winner was announced at ceremony on Wednesday night but will presented to the audience in the main pavilion on Thursday.
First published on the bbc news site|