Welsh Language Levels

Speaking (interaction and production): 

I can not speak Welsh at all. 

Writing: 

I can not write Welsh at all. 

Speaking (interaction and production):

I can :

• interact in a simple way provided the other person is willing to speak slowly, repeat or rephrase things, as well as being willing to help me
• use basic expressions and phrases, e.g. introduce myself or another person,
• ask and answer questions on familiar topics e.g. ‘Where do you live?’.

Writing:

I can :

• write a short simple message as an email or note, including the time, date and place.
• fill in forms with personal details, e.g. name, address and telephone number.

Speaking (interaction and production):

I can:

• communicate in simple Welsh on familiar topics.
• contribute to very short social conversations, even though I can’t, usually, keep the conversation going myself.
• use a series of phrases to describe and answer questions on my family and other people, the weather.
• convey instructions or very simple telephone messages.

Writing:

I can:

• write short simple notes and messages, connecting together simple phrases with simple connecting words such as 'and', 'but' and 'because'.
• write a very simple letter or email, e.g. thanking someone for doing something.

Speaking (interaction and production):

I can:

• take advantage of a range of simple language to deal with most situations which are likely to arise in my work.
• understand the general meaning of emails and letters on topics of personal interest, as well as theoretical letters within the context of my work.
• enter unprepared into conversation on topics that are familiar, e.g. family, hobbies, work, travel and current events.
• offer advice on simple matters to clients within the context of my work.
• describe experiences and events, hopes and ambitions.
• give reasons and explanations for my opinions and plans concisely. 

Writing:

I can:

• take fairly accurate notes in meetings or seminars where the subject is familiar and foreseeable.
• write letters or emails to describe events, experiences and impressions
• write memoranda or informal emails to convey information.

Speaking (interaction and production):

I can :

• listen to, understand and contribute to discussions in meetings and seminars.
• take an active part in discussion in familiar contexts.
• clearly express an opinion.
• present clear, detailed descriptions on a wide range of subjects related to work
• expand and support ideas with supplementary points and relevant examples.
• explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
• give a clear presentation on familiar topics.

Writing:

I can:

• write short pieces of business correspondence, as a letter or email, on a wide range of topics related to my work or my field of interest, and this in standard Welsh without using a template (but using a spellchecker, dictionary, technical resources etc. when necessary).
• take notes or write reports, passing on information or giving reasons in support or against a particular point of view.

Speaking (interaction and production):

I can :

• express myself fluently and unprompted.
• use language flexibly and effectively for social and professional purposes, and contribute confidently to meetings and oral presentations.
• formulate ideas and opinions, and ensure that my contributions are relevant to others.
• respond appropriately to different cultural and social situations.
• present clear detailed descriptions of complex subjects, integrating sub-themes, developing particular points, and rounding off with an appropriate conclusion.

Writing:

I can: 

• write clear well-structured texts, expressing points of view at some length.
• write detailed explanations of complex subjects in the form of email, letter, essay or report, underlining the salient issues.
• write different types of texts in styles that are appropriate to the reader in mind.

Speaking (interaction and production):

I can:

• understand reports and articles I come across in my work, including complex ideas expressed in complex language.
• take part effortlessly in any discussion.
• express myself fluently and convey finer shades of meaning precisely.
• If I do have a problem I can revise and restructure around the difficulty so smoothly that other people are hardly aware of it.
• advise on complex, difficult and contentious matters such as financial or legal matters, to the extent that my specialised knowledge allows me
• present descriptions or arguments well, smoothly and clearly, in the appropriate register and context, and with a logical and effective structure which helps to draw the listeners’ attention to relevant points.

Writing:

I can :

• take full and accurate notes and continue to take part in meetings and seminars.
• write well-structured and smoothly flowing texts in the appropriate register.
• write complex technical reports or articles which helps the recipients to notice significant points. 
• write reviews of professional and/or literary works.

Guide: Welsh Language Levels requirements (essential/desirable) when advertising posts.

The University has a statutory duty under the Welsh Language Standards to assess the Welsh language requirements of all posts before advertising. The aim of this document is to provide guidance to recruiting managers on Welsh language requirements and suitable CEFR levels for positions that are being recruited.

For posts at levels A1, A2 or B1 the following clause should be included in job descriptions.
[A1 / A2 / B1] or evidence to demonstrate an on-going commitment to learn Welsh to this level.

For jobs without Welsh language requirements (A0) please use
(A0) An ability to understand the bilingual nature of the University and an awareness of the procedures in place to support working bilingually.

Capacity

Please note that consideration should be given to the Welsh language levels of all posts at the University, including senior management positions, alongside consideration regarding the Welsh language levels and capacity within the team/department to provide services through the medium of Welsh and comply with the requirements of the Welsh language Standards.

Interviews

For posts where Welsh is essential at B2+ level, there should be a Welsh speaking member of the interview panel to ask a question(s) during the interview in Welsh. An appropriate task to assess the applicant’s Welsh level should be included before or during the interview. For Welsh essential posts please contact the Centre for Welsh Language Services for further advice.  For posts where appointees are permitted to learn/improve their Welsh skills to the required level, the interview should include a question regarding commitment to learning Welsh. For further details on the scoring of candidates with / without Welsh skills  see the Staff Recruitment and Selection Procedure

Note: Our application form asks all applicants to confirm their preferred interview language. The form will also state: Interviewees can use Welsh, and if necessary, we will use simultaneous translation to facilitate this. Where a candidate has indicated that they wish to use Welsh in the interview we will provide a simultaneous translator if required.

Appointing

For posts where Welsh language skills are an essential requirement, the recruiting manager should ensure that staff are appointed with the required Welsh level. If there are no internal candidates that meet the Welsh essential requirements you should contact Human Resources to arrange the external advertising of the post.

For posts where an appointee is required to learn/improve their Welsh skills to a certain level, the line manager should ensure that they provide opportunities for the individuals to attend courses to learn Welsh and monitor their progress as part of Effective Contribution Scheme (ECS) meetings.

Advertising

For posts that are advertised externally and require Welsh skills at B2+ level (essential), you should contact HR to discuss advertising options for Welsh language publications and specific websites such as Lleol.cymru or Safleswyddi.com.

Further advice

For further advice on Welsh language levels for posts, please contact the Centre for Welsh Language Service:  canolfangymraeg@aber.ac.uk 

Centre for Welsh Language Services Aberystwyth University

To update Welsh Language Levels: 

1. Log in to PoblAberPeople by going to abw.aber.ac.uk or myhr.aber.ac.uk.
2. Click on “Personnel”
3. Click on competence 
4. This will take you into your copmpetence record. Select either Oral Welsh Skill or Written Welsh Skill
   from the drop down field
5. By clicking on this field the level currently recorded will appear as shown below. You then have three
   options:
   
   • Amend the level already recorded.
   • Delete the level recorded.
   • Add a new level.

What courses are available for Aberystwyth University staff?

Dysgu Cymraeg / Learn Welsh offer various courses for learners at all levels, with each course involving 120 hours of work.
Courses can be undertaken during the day or in the evening, through an online virtual class, an in-person class or a blended course.

Full details of the programme are available on Learn Welsh Ceredigion-Powys-Carmarthenshire | Learn Welsh

The courses available to University staff include:

Welsh in the Community courses

• Intensive 4-week Summer Course
• Courses for 4 hours a week held over 30 weeks for one year
• Courses for 3 hours a week held over 40 weeks for one year during the school term
• Courses for 2 hours a week held over 60 weeks for two years

Cymraeg Gwaith / Work Welsh courses

Cymraeg Gwaith / Work Welsh courses focus on the use of Welsh in the workplace. University staff attend the courses during work hours, and they generally involve 2 hours of tuition and an hour-and-a-half of homework every week in order to complete one level, which is 120 hours of work. As part of the scheme there are also self-study courses on the Mynediad (Entry) and Sylfaen (Foundation) levels which give staff the flexibility to work on units at a time that suits them, with a target of completing 120 hours in a year. Registration for Cymraeg Gwaith/Work Welsh courses happens in April. For further details please contact Olwen Morus olm25@aber.ac.uk

Short Online Taster Courses (5 hours)

Short online Cymraeg Gwaith/Work Welsh taster courses are also available to staff, as well as short refresher courses. Please register here https://dysgucymraeg.cymru/cymraeg-gwaith/cyrsiau-cymraeg-gwaith/cyrsiau-blasu-ar-lein/.      

How much do Welsh courses cost for University staff?

The University will pay the fees of staff attending Welsh classes organised by Dysgu Cymraeg. Please note also that 18-25 year olds can enrol free of charge on Dysgu Cymraeg courses as part of a scheme by the Welsh Government and the National Centre for Learning Welsh. Further details and the fees form are available on the Centre for Welsh Language Services website. If you would like a chat or further details about Welsh courses please contact Lowri Jones, lwj@aber.ac.uk  

How long does it take to learn Welsh?

The table below summarises the levels of the five Learn Welsh courses (Mynediad/Entry, Sylfaen/Foundation, Canolradd/Intermediate, Uwch/Advanced and Gloywi/Refresher) along with the recommended minimum contact hours e.g. an entirely new learner is expected to need at least 120 hours to complete the Mynediad level (to reach A1 level). For those staff who already have some Welsh (e.g. at A1 level), completing the Canolradd level would require at least 240 hours of contact (to reach B1 level). The exact number of hours required depends on the individual's progress, and the most successful learners usually undertake additional learning hours too, through revision courses, for example.

National Centre for Learning Welsh
https://learnwelsh.cymru/media/10645/ad-blyn-2020-darllen-spreads.pdf

* There are three courses at Uwch/Advanced level – U1, U2 and U3 (120 hours each)

For details about Welsh courses and resources to help you with your Welsh, please visit the website Welcome | Learn Welsh

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