Welsh Language Progression in Primary Schools: What to Expect by Year Group

<p>Every child in Wales learns Welsh. In Welsh-medium schools, Welsh is the language of everything. In English-medium schools, Welsh is taught as a subject — approximately 2-3 hours per week — with additional Welsh language use encouraged throughout the day.</p> <h2 class="article-section-heading">Welsh language stages in the Curriculum for Wales</h2> <p>The CfW describes Welsh language development through four progression steps aligned to age ranges, not years:</p> <p><strong>Progression Step 1 (approx. ages 3-8):</strong> listening and responding to Welsh; participating in conversations with support; recognising Welsh words; using familiar phrases. The focus is entirely oral.</p> <p><strong>Progression Step 2 (approx. ages 8-11 — upper primary):</strong> sustaining conversations on familiar topics without support; reading simple Welsh texts; writing simple sentences and short paragraphs in Welsh; understanding stories and songs.</p> <p><strong>Progression Step 3 (approx. ages 11-14):</strong> more complex Welsh across a wider range of topics; understanding texts with some unfamiliar vocabulary; writing in different genres.</p> <p><strong>Progression Steps 4-5 (14-16):</strong> approaching linguistic complexity similar to English; GCSEs in Welsh.</p> <h2 class="article-section-heading">Pupils who are behind</h2> <p>In English-medium schools, many pupils arrive in Year 7 (secondary) with limited Welsh. The reasons vary: interrupted schooling, English as an additional language (making Welsh a third language), SEND, or simply insufficient Welsh language input in primary.</p> <p><strong>What helps:</strong> daily Welsh use rather than discrete lessons; building from oral interaction before introducing reading/writing; celebrating all Welsh regardless of accuracy; positive attitudes modelled by the teacher; classroom displays in Welsh that reinforce vocabulary.</p> <p><strong>What doesn't help:</strong> correcting spoken Welsh heavily; treating Welsh as a test subject; making children feel ashamed of their Welsh level.</p>