Welsh Language Skills Framework

A Welsh Language Skills Framework is a way of easily assessing language skills based on types of communication tasks (reading, writing, speaking, and understanding) which our employees are able to undertake in Welsh. This will then be used to determine what level of skills are needed for the job role and what course employees will require.

Welsh language levels

L1 – Pre Entry

Listening and speaking

Pronounce place names and personal names correctly.
Greet customers at reception or on the phone.
Open and close a conversation.

Reading

Understand short text about a familiar topic when it is communicated in plain language, e.g. basic signs, simple instructions, includes agendas.

Writing

Write personal names, place names, job titles and names of council departments.

L2 – Entry

Listening and speaking

Understand the core conversation.
Receive and understand simple messages on normal patterns, e.g. time and place of a meeting, request to talk with someone.
Convey basic information and simple instructions.
Open and close conversations and meetings bilingually.

Reading

Understand most short reports and instructions within the expertise of work, if there is sufficient time allowed.

Writing

Understand most short reports and instructions within the expertise of work, if there is sufficient time allowed.

L3 – Foundation

Listening and speaking

Understand and participate in most normal day-to-day conversations in the office.
Offer advice to the public on issues relating to the post. Referring to specialised or technical terms in English.
Contribute to a meeting or a presentation on general issues relating to the post; referring to specialised or technical terms in English.

Reading

Understand most of the reports, documents and correspondence that would be expected to be discussed in the normal course of work.

Writing

Prepare informal messages and reports for internal use.

L4 – Intermediate

Listening and speaking

Contribute effectively in internal and external meetings in the context of the work subject.
Understand differences in tone and dialect.
Argue for and against a particular case.
Chair meetings and answer questions confidently.

Reading

Understand formal correspondence and reports.

Writing

Produce business correspondence, short reports, e-mails and promotional literature with editing assistance.

L5 – Advanced / Proficiency

Listening and speaking

Contribute fluently and confidently regarding all aspects of daily work, including negotiating and advising on technical, specialised or sensitive areas.
Contribute to meetings and provide presentations fluently and confidently.

Reading

Understand reports, documents and articles linked to the normal course of work, including complex concepts expressed in complex language.

Writing

Produce business correspondence, short reports, e-mails and promotional literature to an acceptable level with the aid of standard language tools. E.g. Cysill
Draw up detailed notes while taking a full part in the meeting.

How to reach the next level...

From 0 to L1

From L1 to L2

From L2 to L3

From L3 to L4

From L4 to L5

Welsh Language Skills Framework

Welsh language levels

Listening and speaking

Reading

Writing

Listening and speaking

Reading

Writing

Listening and speaking

Reading

Writing

Listening and speaking

Reading

Writing

Listening and speaking

Reading

Writing

How to reach the next level...

National Centre for Learning Welsh

Other

Entry courses (choose one):

National Centre for Learning Welsh (term time)

Other

Foundation courses (choose one):

National Centre for Learning Welsh (term time)

Other

Intermediate courses (choose one):

National Centre for Learning Welsh (term time)

Other

Higher / Proficiency courses (choose one):

National Centre for Learning Welsh (term time)

Other