Foundation Core Cymraeg
Entry Level Foundation Core Cymraeg is a two-year Welsh language course for learners aged 14 to 16 working towards Entry Level 1, 2 or 3, and it is almost entirely literacy, in Welsh. Learners read simple texts and answer multiple-choice questions (Unit 1, 25%), hold a role-play conversation about the world of work and present their local area orally (Unit 2, 40%), and write two short practical texts of up to 100 words, such as a CV or application form and information about local facilities (Unit 3, 35%). Everything is built on two themes, Yr Ardal (The Area) and Byd Gwaith (The World of Work). Numeracy is light: learners understand and use times, dates and costs in Welsh, for example the opening times and prices of local facilities.
- Awarding body
- WJEC
- Level
- Entry Level
- First taught
- September 2027
- Amount of literacy work
- High
- Amount of numeracy work
- Low
- Specification
- Open the specification
How this qualification is assessed
- Unit 1: Reading to understand and refer to familiar contexts: Two multiple-choice subject tests of 30 minutes each, taken on screen or on paper within a four-week summer window, 25%, 40 marks (20 per test), set and marked by WJEC
- Unit 2: Oracy for everyday life: Practical assessment of individual oral tasks lasting 4 to 6 minutes, with up to 2 hours of supervised preparation for Part 2 Task 1, 40%, 40 marks, set by WJEC, marked by the centre and moderated by WJEC
- Unit 3: Writing for practical purposes: Written assessment of two writing tasks of up to 100 words each, up to 45 minutes per task plus up to 30 minutes of supervised research, 35%, 20 marks, set by WJEC, marked by the centre and moderated by WJEC
Skills that use Planning and organising for different purposes, audiences and context
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Expressing simple opinions and reasons
Learners read, say and write simple opinions, such as likes and dislikes, enjoy and don't enjoy, and I prefer. In Units 2 and 3 they give simple views about their area and about the world of work, including why they like or dislike something.
Literacy: Purpose, Planning and organising for different purposes, audiences and context
Getting pupils ready
- Year 7
- Pupils say and write whether they like or dislike five hobbies in Welsh, using simple opinion phrases.
- Year 8
- Pupils give opinions in Welsh about places in their town and add a reason with because, in speech and in writing.
- Year 9
- Pupils write and say what they like and dislike about their area and what they would like to see there, giving a reason for each opinion.
Show the specification wording and the LNF statements
Where it is in the specification: Unit 1, Section 1.1.1, page 10; Unit 2, Sections 2.1.1 and 2.1.2, pages 14 and 15; Unit 3, Sections 3.1.1 and 3.1.2, page 17
“Learners should be able to express simple views about the”
Progression step 3
I can share, talk and write about my thoughts, feelings and opinions using a range of techniques to show impact.
I can write about my thoughts, feelings and opinions, showing empathy and respect.
Progression step 4
I can share, talk and write about my thoughts, feelings and opinions showing empathy and respect.
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Writing practical work-related texts
In Unit 3 learners complete a work-related writing task of up to 100 words, such as an application letter, a job application form, a CV or a personal information form. They present information about themselves, including personal skills and the job they would like, and say simply why they want a job.
Literacy: Planning and organising for different purposes, audiences and context
Getting pupils ready
- Year 7
- Pupils fill in a simple Welsh form with their name, age, address, school and hobbies.
- Year 8
- Pupils write a short Welsh letter to a local business asking for work experience, following a model layout.
- Year 9
- Pupils write a short Welsh CV and covering email for a weekend job, including their personal skills, school subjects and why they want the job.
Show the specification wording and the LNF statements
Where it is in the specification: Unit 3, overview and Section 3.1.1, pages 16 and 17; Section 3.2, page 20
“for example writing an application letter, completing a job application form, writing a CV”
Progression step 3
I can adapt my writing style and structure to suit the audience, purpose and context, e.g. suitable balance between facts and viewpoints, a precise conclusion.
I can use and adapt different structures within my writing, e.g. reporting an event, investigation or experiment.
Progression step 4
I can adapt my writing style, choosing and using the best structures for different contexts and purposes, e.g. to successfully describe, explain, persuade, discuss.
I can select and use appropriate strategies to plan and develop my writing for different purposes and audiences.
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Writing information about the local area
For Unit 3 Task 2 learners write up to 100 words of information about clubs, facilities or attractions in their area, covering what it is, time, location, cost, contact details and arrival details, with a simple opinion. They choose the format, for example a Word document, PowerPoint, letter, email or poster.
Literacy: Planning and organising for different purposes, audiences and context, Vocabulary, spelling, grammar
Getting pupils ready
- Year 7
- Pupils write three Welsh sentences about a local park or beach for a class display.
- Year 8
- Pupils write a short Welsh leaflet about a local club, giving the day, time, cost and where it meets.
- Year 9
- Pupils plan and write a 100 word Welsh information page about a local attraction, with headings for times, cost, location and contact details and a short opinion.
Show the specification wording and the LNF statements
Where it is in the specification: Unit 3, overview and Section 3.1.2, pages 16 and 17; Section 3.2, pages 20 and 21
“provide written information about the local area, for example facilities, attractions, clubs.”
Progression step 3
I can explore different ways to plan, draft and present my work appropriately.
I can present my work appropriately in digital contexts.
Progression step 4
I can organise and construct my writing effectively, connecting and developing my ideas for a range of different contexts.
I can present my work appropriately in digital contexts using appropriate digital conventions, e.g. thumbnails, language preferences.
Good to know
- Every unit uses the same two themes, "Yr Ardal (The Area)" and "Byd Gwaith (The World of Work)" (Summary of assessment, page 5).
- Unit 1 is reading only, with multiple-choice answers: learners "read simple texts and answer multiple-choice questions" in two 30 minute tests (Section 3.2, page 20).
- Unit 2 is short: "Candidates must be allowed 4-6 minutes to complete this assessment." Learners can have "up to 2 hours of additional time under formal supervision" to prepare for Part 2 Task 1 (Section 3.2, page 20).
- Both Unit 3 tasks are limited to "(up to 100 words)", with up to 45 minutes per task (Section 3.2, pages 20 and 21).
- Scenarios are set by WJEC, but "centres can adapt the context for their learners" (Unit 2, page 13; Unit 3, page 16).
- For Units 2 and 3 teachers "may allow a learner one opportunity to improve their evidence and resubmit it" before moderation (Section 3.4, page 22).
- The qualification "is reported on a three-point scale: Entry Level 1, Entry Level 2 and Entry Level 3" (Section 5.3, page 25).
- Appendix A (pages 27 and 28) ticks Listening, Reading and Speaking for all three units and Writing for Unit 3 only. For numeracy it ticks only the statistics strand, for Units 2 and 3, although the subject content itself has no data handling.
Links with other qualifications
The specification says the qualification "provides a broad foundation for progression to GCSE Core Cymraeg" (page 7). GCSE Core Cymraeg builds on the same speaking, listening, reading and writing in Welsh but asks for much more: spontaneous discussion and justified opinions, inference in longer texts, extended writing in different forms, accurate mutations, and reading and discussing charts and statistics. The practical writing here, such as job applications and information about the area, matches Foundation English, so the two departments can share models of forms, letters and leaflets.
Source: WJEC Entry Level Foundation Core Cymraeg specification, approved by Qualifications Wales, teaching from September 2027, for award from 2029 (© WJEC CBAC Ltd 2026).