Welsh courses and classes

We will support all employees to not only complete the 10 hour online course, but to continue to learn up to the Foundation (Level 2) qualification. Authorisation to progress will only be given if it is determined by the manager that the post requires this level of Welsh. If you are interested and want to learn Welsh you must seek approval from your manager, before reserving a place on a course.

Once the manager has determined what Welsh skills is required for the role, using the Welsh Language Skills Framework, employees will be able to undertake the relevant Welsh qualification.

Below is a list of the Welsh lessons and training available for 2024 to 2025. If you are not sure which lessons or training is right for you, please contact cymraeg@sirddinbych.gov.uk to discuss your options.

What courses are available?

Welcome Work Welsh

An online 10 hour course for people with little or no welsh language skills. There are a number of units that you will need to complete and some that specialise in various sectors of the organisation. If you work in the care services there is a tailored 10 hour course for your sector that you should complete.

Create an account by visiting the Learn Welsh: create account page (external website) and ensure that you enter your details, accept the terms and conditions and select Cyngor Sir Ddinbych / Denbighshire County Council as your employer. You will then be ready to complete the units.

These are some of the things that you will be able to say:

begin and end a conversation appropriately
understand and use familiar phrases like greetings, say thank you and give directions
understand simple enquiries
transfer a call to a Welsh-speaking colleague

Learn Work Welsh with a tutor

The intensive Learn Work Welsh courses will improve your ability to use Welsh and help you to work bilingually. There are different course levels available:

Level 1: entry

Courses for beginners with an emphasis on speaking Welsh.

Level 2: foundation

An opportunity for learners to strengthen their speaking skills.

Level 3: intermediate

More writing, reading and listening skills and introduced at this level - but emphasis is still on speaking Welsh.

Level 4: advanced

Courses help learners to improve their writing skills but again, the main emphasis is on strengthening speaking skills.

Level 5: proficiency

Courses are available for experienced learners and fluent Welsh speakers who want to strengthen their spoken and written skills.

There is a time commitment to attend these courses, which equates to a minimum of 120 hours per year (4 hours per week), followed by an examination. You must seek approval from your manager to attend, and you must adhere to the required learning agreement. These courses are between north east Wales councils and there must be a minimum total of 8 members of staff between councils to make sure the courses are viable and running. Learn Welsh: find a courses (external website). Not sure which course is right for you? Contact HRdirect@denbighshire.gov.uk to discuss.

If you work in the care services, there may be other courses available.

Work Welsh self-study course

The course provides the learner with the opportunity to follow the same number of learning hours as our traditional courses, but at their own pace. They are asynchronous courses. The course is available at two levels: Mynediad (Entry) for beginners and Sylfaen (Foundation) (see Learn Welsh: learning levels (external website) for more). There is a Tutor support available to support this learning.

Confidence-building course (staff at level 1 and above)

For individuals who can speak Welsh, but are reluctant/lack of confidence to use Welsh to carry out work tasks. A series of group sessions with a tutor and a 2 hour weekly sessions over 10 to 15 weeks. There will be contact with a tutor over 12 months and further actions to be reviewed and agreed after 12 months.

The outcome is to change linguistic practice by gaining more confidence to use Welsh to complete work tasks.

'Use' Work Welsh course (suitable for levels 3 to 5)

The aim of these confidence building courses is for attendees to return to work and be confident to use their Welsh language skills for work purposes. They are presented virtually and led by experienced tutors. Intermediate, Advanced and Proficiency level will be held virtually over 5 days, under the guidance of a tutor, with elements of online self-study to be followed between live sessions.

For more Information, a list of available dates and to register please visit 'Use' Work Welsh Courses (external website).

Other courses

There may be an opportunity for you to learn Welsh through bespoke or ad-hoc courses that are run throughout the year at various locations. Details of these will be included on this page and communicated as and when they are available. These could include holiday and revision sessions, bespoke and tailored sessions.