Welsh for Adults

These pages give information about the qualifications and resources which WJEC provide specfically for the Welsh for Adults field.

Y Bont

Y Bont is an e-learning platform for learners and Welsh for Adults tutors. WJEC is responsible for the content of the central website. The learners’ section is open to all, but tutors must be registered with WJEC to access the tutors’ section.  Y Bont contains activities, resources, general information for Welsh learners and tutors.

Qualifications

WJEC provides a suite of qualifications for adults who are learning Welsh, called Defnyddio’r Gymraeg. The suite gives candidates an opportunity to show their ability in speaking, listening, reading and writing Welsh - at different levels.  Qualifications can be gained by sitting examinations on specific days, and they are open to adults who have learnt Welsh as a second language or who are learning at present. It is not necessary to be in a specific class to sit the exams, or to have taken the lower level exams first. The qualifications are for people learning in evening or daytime classes, on intensive courses or on workplace courses. 

The framework in the table below gives an indication of how the qualifications relate to the National Qualifications Framework and to the ALTE / CEFR framework.

Qualification	Level in the Framework	Framework of Reference (CEFR)
Mynediad / Entry	Mynediad	A1
Sylfaen / Foundation	1	A2
Canolradd / Intermediate	2	B1
Uwch / Advanced	3	B2/C1
Hyfedredd / Proficiency	4	C2

Important dates

New: Information about 2014 dates and closing dates is available.

ALTE

WJEC is a full member of ALTE (Association of Language Testers in Europe).  This is an assocation for organisations who offer language examinations across Europe, representing 26 different languages. More information about ALTE is available.

The Common European Framework of Reference describes 6 levels of language proficiency from A1 to C2.  This framework is available on the Council of Europe website.

Past papers, Specifications etc.

To find past papers, booklets for candidates, specifications for tutors, click on the relevant level.  To find the Examinations Bulletin (documents containing marking schemes, examiners’ reports, examples of candidates’ work over recent years) click on 'Show all documents'.

WJEC Credit Pathway

WJEC offer a series of units at Entry (Mynediad), Foundation (Sylfaen) and Intermediate (Canolradd) levels called the credit pathway.  These give candidates an opportunity to gain credits while learning, which are assessed informally by the tutor. More information about the credit pathway is available.

Workplace Welsh Indicators

Welsh Government in partnership with WJEC has developed web-based indicators to help employers in Wales in relation to their Welsh language needs. There are two parts to the website:

• Part 1 helps employers to identify the posts within their organisations which require Welsh language skills;
• Part 2 helps employers to identify the current level of Welsh language skills within their workforce.

Workplace Welsh website

This resource is now available to be used by employers in the private, public and voluntary sectors in Wales. It will be useful for employers in meeting their requirements to offer bilingual services.

Resources

WJEC provides a number of resources for the Welsh for Adults field.

1. Y Tiwtor
   An on-line magazine for Welsh for Adults tutors.
2. WJEC course books
   Course books for the Welsh for adults class, at Entry (Mynediad), Foundation (Sylfaen) and Canolradd (Intermediate) levels.
3. WJEC Flash Cards
   Large and small flash cards containing full colour photographs for the Welsh for Adults field.
4. Proficiency File
   A file of resources at the most proficient level, leading to the Proficiency level qualifications (new October 2009)
5. Self Assessment Tool
   A tool to help learners identify their level.
6. Other resources
   There are a number of other projects in preparation which are being designed or piloted at the moment.

Contact

If you would like more information, or copies of booklets or specifications, contact welshforadults@wjec.co.uk or write to:

Welsh for Adults
WJEC
245 Western Avenue
Cardiff
CF5 2YX 

Telephone: 029 2026 5007