Coleg Gwent
Welsh Language Scheme 2011 – 2014
Contents
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INTRODUCTION
COLLEGE PROFILE
IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING / SERVICE
PLANNING AND DELIVERY
 Responsibilities for Implementation and Monitoring
 Scheme’s Administrative Arrangements
 Policies and New Initiatives
 Third Party Compliance
 Staffing Issues – including recruitment / training /
information regarding linguistic skills of staff
 Monitoring and Reviewing Processes
 Quality
 Comments and Complaints
 Publication of Information and Publicity of the Scheme
THE DEVELOPMENT OF A WELSH ETHOS AT THE
COLLEGE (Strand 1 of the Strategy)
 Administrative Arrangements
 Developing a Welsh Ethos within the curriculum
 Dealing with the Welsh Speaking Public
 The Public Face of the College
 Marketing and promotion of services available in
Welsh/bilingual (including promotion and publicity of
Welsh medium communication units / courses and of
bilingual and Welsh-medium provision).
THE DEVELOPMENT OF BILINGUAL COMMUNICATION
SKILLS TO AUGMENT AN ENGLISH MEDIUM PROVISION
(Strand 2 of the Strategy)
 Planning and Management of College Curriculum
 Current Provision at the College
 The College Curriculum
THE DEVELOPMENT OF WELSH-MEDIUM OR BILINGUAL
PROVISION FOR POST-14 LEARNERS (Strand 3 of the
Strategy)
 Planning and Management of College Curriculum
 Current Provision at the College
 The College Curriculum
 Collaboration and Partnership
TIMETABLE / ACTION PLAN
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1.
INTRODUCTION
1.1
This is a Welsh Language Scheme prepared under the Welsh Language Act
1993.
1.2
Coleg Gwent’s Welsh Language Scheme received the approval of the Welsh
Language Board under section 14 of the Welsh Language Act on 14 January
2005. This document is the successor to the first.
1.3
Coleg Gwent has adopted the principle that in the conduct of public business in
Wales, it will treat the English and Welsh languages on a basis of equality. This
scheme sets out how the College will give effect to that principle when providing
services to the public in Wales.
2.
COLLEGE PROFILE
Serving the community formerly known as Greater Gwent, the College is the
largest in Wales and one of the largest in the UK, and enrolled around 29,000
learners and employed an average of 948 full time equivalent staff in 2009/10.
Operating from five main Campuses and serving a local population of over half a
million, the College provides a wide range of general education courses and
vocational education and training programmes across all Programme Areas.
The Campus at Pontypool (in the middle of the catchment) offers a wide range of
provision from entry level to Level 3. The location of the popular Learn-IT Centre
in Cwmbran has helped to continue to widen participation and encourage
Lifelong Learning. The Welsh for Adults Centre was moved to the Campus in
September 2009 following the closure of The Hill Campus. A Welsh Medium
secondary school, Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw is located in the catchment area.
Crosskeys Campus, also tertiary in nature, is the largest in the College, and is in
fact larger than many colleges. It has over 1000 full time learners mainly
undertaking AS/A2 levels. It also has a successful Engineering Department and a
vibrant Performing Arts Department. The Campus has recently opened a new
£13 million block for A levels, Performing Arts, and Sport.
In the north of the catchment area, Ebbw Vale Campus, in one of the least
prosperous areas in Wales, is a typical further education campus. It is working
with Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council, University of Wales Newport, and
the Welsh Government in the development of The Learning Zone which will be a
state of the art learning venue for all post 16 education in the Borough. It is
planned that the new Campus will open in 2012.
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Newport Campus, close to the M4, is also a typical further education Campus, in
an area of entirely 11 to 18 comprehensive schools. The Campus continues to
develop the “Newport Family of Schools” and is adding to the range of
partnership arrangements that it has with a number of 11 to 18 comprehensive
schools in the Newport Unitary Authority.
At the Usk Campus in the east of the catchment, the provision is based around
Landbased Studies including Farming, Horticulture, Agriculture and Equine
Studies, and also provides Sport & Leisure, Health & Caring, and Business &
Management. The Campus works closely with Monmouthshire County Council
on a number of fronts including 14-16 programmes. The Campus is planning for
a move to new premises alongside the Equine Centre following agreement with
Monmouthshire County council to build their new HQ at the Usk site. The
Monmouth Learn-It that provides a range of courses for the local community is
managed from Usk Campus. The College’s headquarters building is located at
this Campus.
All the Campuses strive to work closely with secondary schools in their areas. In
relation to Welsh medium education, links have been established with Ysgol
Gyfun Gwynllyw, and these will be further built upon in the light of the
implementation of this Scheme.
Welsh Provision
The 5 local authorities in the College’s catchment area are amongst those with
the lowest level of incidence of Welsh speakers in Wales. At the 2001 census,
Caerphilly had 16% of its population (aged over 3) with one or more skills in the
Welsh language, whilst Torfaen had 14%, Newport had 13%, Blaenau Gwent
had 13%, and Monmouthshire had 13%. It is against this background of low
levels of Welsh speaking population that the College is attempting to develop its
Welsh Language provision.
From a staff survey carried out in 2006, only around 3% of staff felt they had
quite good or fluent skills in Welsh. Since then all new staff are asked to assess
their Welsh language skills and this shows that less than 1% of staff have
intermediate or advanced Welsh language skills. Data from enrolment forms for
2010/11 indicate 2.6 % of learners consider themselves to be a fluent Welsh
speaker whilst a further 10.3% consider themselves to be a non-fluent Welsh
speaker. Only 0.2% of learners stated their preferred language for
correspondence was Welsh. The number of learners coming from Welsh
medium secondary schools is measured and the numbers who proceed with
Welsh medium courses, will be established as part of a survey to extend our
understanding of the level of Welsh Language skills amongst learners.
With the publication of Iaith Pawb – the Welsh Assembly Government’s (WAG)
Action Plan for a bilingual Wales – the National Council for Education and
Training Wales (ELWa) established 6 new regional Welsh for Adults Centres.
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From 1 April 2006 Coleg Gwent was one of the originally designated Regional
Welsh Language Centres, now known as the Gwent Welsh for Adults Centre.
The primary remit of the Gwent Welsh for Adults from WAG is to lead the change
agenda for the teaching of Welsh for Adults within the Gwent region.
The Gwent Welsh for Adults Centre is responsible for planning and operating the
effective delivery of all Welsh for Adults provision and establishing third party
agreements where necessary throughout the 5 Unitary Authorities. The Centre is
also responsible for improving the quality of all the Welsh for Adults provision in
the region, providing a wide range of flexible learning opportunities in order to
increase participation and improve progression opportunities to enable more
learners to achieve fluency.
Welsh language classes are provided from Mynediad to Hyfedredd levels
throughout each authority including provision offered directly by Coleg Gwent.
The majority of courses continued to be offered at level Mynediad and Sylfaen,
but with an increasing number now being offered at Canolradd and Uwch with
the improvement in retention rates since 07/08. A small number of Proficiency
level classes are offered, but this is being systematically developed to ensure
provision in every area.
The Gwent Welsh for Adults Centre received a Grade 2 from the Estyn
inspection of its provision in Monmouthshire, Newport and Blaenau Gwent,
“Good features with no important shortcomings” in February 2009. There are
good opportunities for progression with courses available from basic to advanced
learners with a wide ranging extra-curricular programme to enable learners to
practice their oral skills outside the classroom.
The Gwent Welsh for Adults Centre is based at the Pontypool Campus of Coleg
Gwent and continues to develop Welsh Language courses in line with the Welsh
Language Act for public bodies with a statutory duty to provide a service in Welsh
for their customers. The Centre is also actively offering Welsh language
provision for those private businesses and companies who do not fall under the
remit of the Welsh Language Act. This Welsh in the Workplace provision has
seen a major increase in its numbers during the last few years. It is foreseen that
this will continue to grow as the use of Welsh in business increases in all areas in
Wales.
The demand for Welsh classes at the Centre, both through Coleg Gwent’s own
provision and its franchised provision through its six partners in all areas is
continuing to grow with an increasing number of students progressing to higher
levels, gaining accreditation and obtaining fluency. The problems of tutor
shortages especially at the higher levels, remains; but a continuing recruitment
and training campaign funded by DfES will hopefully alleviate this problem. The
Centre is continuing to develop its provision in the area in order to ensure that a
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full range of provision is available in the area. This, together with the highly
popular Welsh Weekends, Summer School and Saturday Welsh Day Schools,
has ensured increased participation.
Despite the low level of demand at the College for learning through the medium
of Welsh, the situation continues to be monitored in the light of possible modules
or units for delivery or assessment through the medium of Welsh. It is envisaged
that the demand for this will increase with the progression and development of
Welsh in the National Curriculum in all schools. The College is strongly
committed to respond actively to Welsh medium delivery in accordance with
demand.
There has been excellent collaboration within the Gwent Welsh for Adults
Partnership Board which leads the Centre strategically through the cooperation
between the College and its six partners ensuring that the Centre’s aims and
objectives are fully enacted. This enables the Centre to focus its resources and
effectively evaluate its achievements in accordance with the sea-change agenda
set by DfES and continue to provide a widening programme of classes and
language support. The Centre will continue to build on an already very strong
programme to ensure that further learners can progress to full fluency.
Welsh Language Aims and Objectives
The College demonstrates its commitment to the development of the Welsh
Language through its Vision, Mission, Core Values (ETHOS) & Overarching
Strategy statements that are detailed in its Strategic Planning Document.
Specifically the Strategic Planning Document 2011/12 includes the following
Strategic Objectives and Target:
3.1a Introduce more Welsh language culture and curriculum through the
implementation of the Colegau Cymru Bilingual Strategy for FE by 2013/14.
Target: 3.1a Implement the Welsh Language Scheme 3 year action plan by
2013/14
3. IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING / SERVICE PLANNING AND
DELIVERY
3.1 Implementation
3.3.1 As the Welsh Language Scheme is implemented the College will ensure
that it keeps to the principle of equality contained in the requirements of
the Language Act of 1993.
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3.2 Responsibilities for Implementation and Monitoring
3.2.1 The Welsh Language Steering Group is made up of senior managers, and
is chaired by a Welsh-speaking Vice Principal. It’s remit includes
monitoring the implementation of the College’s Welsh Language Scheme,
as well as the development of Welsh language services in the College
3.2.2 The Principal/Chief Executive has overall responsibility for the College’s
Welsh Language Scheme. The Director (Marketing, Communications and
Planning), a member of the College Senior Management Team, is
responsible for the implementation and monitoring of the College’s Welsh
Language Scheme on a day to day basis.
3.2.3 For further information on this scheme contact:
Mr Robert Gilvear
Director (Marketing, Communications & Planning),
Coleg Gwent,
The Rhadyr,
Usk,
Mons
NP15 1XJ
Tel 01495 333333
E mail: robert.gilvear@coleggwent.ac.uk
3.3 Administrative Arrangements for Facilitating the Scheme
3.3.1 Authority: The College will ensure that the arrangements noted in the
scheme are approved at the highest level, and carry the full authority of
the College.
(Target: 2011/12)
3.3.2 Responsibility: The Director (Marketing, Communications & Planning)
will be responsible for implementing the scheme on behalf of the College
in general and on a day to day basis.
(Target: 2011/12)
3.3.3 Instruction and Guidance: The College will ensure that its staff are
familiar with the scheme, in addition to those responsibilities which form
part of its implementation, by providing verbal and written instructions to
new staff via briefing sessions undertaken by the Director (Marketing,
Communications & Planning) during staff induction.
(Target: 2011/12)
3.3.4 The College will integrate administrative functions related to the Welsh
Language Scheme into its standard administrative procedures, including
specifications for new or modified computer programs. Where current
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computer systems cannot be modified the College will consider costeffective alternative systems
(Target: 2011/12)
3.3.5 Wherever translation work is required, the College will make use of
translators with valid qualifications, or approved translation agencies.
(Target: 2011/12)
3.4 Assessing the Linguistic Impact of New Developments
3.4.1 The College will consult with the Welsh Language Board concerning any
new developments likely to affect the Scheme, and will not amend the
contents of the Scheme without the prior agreement of the Board. All new
or updated policies and initiatives will be consistent with the Scheme and
will not undermine it.
3.4.2 The College will ensure that new or updated developments will move the
College closer to implementing the principle of equality at every
opportunity.
3.4.3 The College will assess the linguistic consequences of any new or
updated policies or ventures with a view to promoting and facilitating the
use of Welsh wherever possible. This is monitored by the Welsh
Language Steering Group.
3.4.4 The College will ensure that any consultants or members of staff
responsible for the formation or updating of policy will be aware of the
Language Scheme and the College’s responsibilities under the Welsh
Language Act. Existing staff have received sessions to raise their
awareness of the Scheme and inform them of their responsibilities. All new
staff are made aware of the Scheme as part of their induction programme.
Information on the scheme is placed on the staff intranet pages.
(Target: 2011/12)
3.4.5 The College will continue to ensure that every measure contained in the
scheme will be applied to new or updated policies and initiatives when
they are implemented.
(Target: 2011/12)
3.5 Third Party Arrangements
3.5.1 The College works in partnership with public bodies, organisations from
the voluntary sector and other agencies. The College works on many
levels when working with others:
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i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
When the College is the strategic and financial leader within a
partnership, it will ensure that the public service provision is
compliant with the Welsh Language Scheme.
When the College joins a partnership in which any other body is
leading, the College’s input will comply with the Welsh Language
Scheme and the College will encourage other parties to comply.
When the College is a partner in a consortium, it will encourage the
consortium to adopt a bilingual policy. When acting publicly in the
name of the consortium, the College will act in accordance with its
Welsh Language Scheme.
When the College joins or forms a partnership, it will ask prospective
partners about their Welsh Language Schemes, Language Policies
or the means by which they will operate bilingually. Within any
partnership, the College will offer advice and support to the other
partner organisations.
3.5.2 Various services provided on behalf of the College may be operated by
other organisations such as contractors, consultants, agencies, firms and
individuals. All agreements and arrangements for external organisations of
this nature to undertake the provision of services to the public in Wales on
its behalf will comply fully with the term and requirements of this Scheme.
(Target: 2011/12)
3.5.3 The chief officer responsible for the Scheme will supervise and facilitate
the implementation of these commitments by:
 providing written procedures to staff for dealing with agents and
contractors, and processes for ensuring staff are dealing with them
 specifying the requirements as to the use of the Welsh language in
tendering documents, contracts and grant or loan conditions
 monitoring the implementation of the Scheme by agents and
contractors
 encouraging those contractors with their own Welsh language
Scheme to implement relevant aspects
 obtaining regular performance reports from contractors and agents
(Target: 2011/12)
3.6 Enabling the workforce to provide a complete service through the
medium of Welsh
3.6.1 In order to ensure over a period of time that the College is able to deliver
its services in Welsh to a high quality, effectively and efficiently, it will
continue to implement its Linguistic Skills Strategy as part of its human
resource planning. This Strategy has enabled the College to maintain an
overview of its linguistic skills needs and resources, and co-ordinate
training and recruitment activities to facilitate the Scheme’s objectives. The
College encourage appropriate staff to participate in the Welsh Assembly
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Government’s Sabbatical Scheme, and 1 member of staff has participated
in the Scheme so far in 2010/11. The College has committed to ensuring 6
staff undertake the Sabbatical Scheme in 2013/14.
(Target: 2013/14)
In addition staff are encouraged to improve their Welsh language skills in a
number of different ways. The measures that follow will form part of that
strategy:
Following an audit of staff Welsh Language skills in 2006, the College now
records staff’s own assessment of their Welsh language skills on its
management information system. This information is updated when new
staff join the College. This will be supplemented by a new audit to more
fully ascertain staff Welsh language skills.
(Target: 2011/12)
By doing so, it will identify those workplaces where the ability to speak
Welsh is essential and those where it is desirable, to identify the level of
proficiency required in each case, and to formulate team descriptions and
job descriptions accordingly.
3.6.2 The College will continue to include in its Learning and Development Plan
details of actions to be taken to improve the Welsh language staff of its
staff.
3.6.3 The College will look to utilise the Welsh Language Board’s Language
Awareness Training Package as part of its induction programme
(Target: 2011/12)
3.6.4 Learning Welsh
3.6.4.1
The College will support members of staff who wish to learn or improve
their Welsh by:
 Identifying and encouraging staff who wish to learn or improve their
Welsh
 Circulating information regarding Welsh Language courses in the
College to all staff
 Providing Welsh Language courses to staff free of charge and
within working hours where determined this is an essential
requirement for the job.
 Raising staff awareness of Welsh language courses by regular
promotion of their availability through staff notices, intranet, and
incorporation in INSET training days.
(Target: 2011/12)
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3.6.4.2
The College will use the National Language Standards as a means of
establishing the level of both Welsh speaking staff and staff learning
Welsh, with a view to accrediting staff members with a qualification
indicating their linguistic ability. The College will also provide its own
internal training, which will be linked to the staff members’ own field.
(Target: 2011/12)
3.6.5 Recruitment
3.6.5.1
The College will note those positions where the ability to speak Welsh is
essential and those where it is desirable. Priority will be given to those
positions with the greatest amount of contact with the public.
(Target: 2011/12)
3.6.5.2
The College will announce the linguistic requirements of the posts in
3.6.4.1 above in recruitment advertisements, including the level of
ability required in each case. Should a non-Welsh speaker be appointed
to a post where Welsh is considered essential, it will be on condition
that the holder learns the language to an agreed standard by an agreed
time, with the College’s full support. All recruiting advertisements for
any posts requiring Welsh language skills, together with the relevant job
description or details, will be drafted in such a way as to identify clearly
the linguistic requirements of each post,.
(Target: 2011/12)
3.6.5.3
When the ability to communicate in Welsh is an essential qualification
for a post, this will be clearly stated in the advertisement and the job
details. If there is a shortage of potential Welsh speaking applicants in
any specific field, the College will advertise the post and state in the
advertisement that applications from non-Welsh speakers will be
welcomed on the firm condition that if a non-Welsh speaker is
appointed, he/she will learn Welsh to the standard required for fulfilling
the post, and will do so within a specified period. All arrangements of
this nature will be treated as a fair and constructive partnership between
employer and employee, with the employer for his part providing strong
encouragement and practical support for the employee, and the
employee in turn making a fair effort to gain the necessary skills.
By acting in such a manner, the College will treat linguistic skills in
exactly the same manner as any other Professional skill required to fulfil
the responsibilities of a post and subject to review within a certain
period. This condition of employment must therefore be respected and
implemented as strictly as any other condition of employment for the
post, and the employee’s manager will review the standard of
achievement reached by the end of the specified period following the
appointment.
(Target: 2011/12)
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3.6.6 Vocational Training
3.6.6.1
The College will assess the need for vocational training through the
medium of Welsh, and ensure that those responsible for recruitment
and staff development implement a programme to fulfil that need.
These may include various circumstances from the learning of face-toface communication skills for a reception area etc, to skills required for
discussing the personal circumstances of individual students.
(Target: 2011/12)
3.6.6.2
The College will monitor the number of Welsh speaking staff members
required and take action if that number falls below the required level.
(Target: 2011/12)
3.7 Reviewing the Implementation of the Scheme
3.7.1 The College will prepare internal progress reports regarding the
implementation of the Scheme and submit them to the Welsh Language
Steering Group every term and to the Corporate Management Team every
year. Progress reports will be considered by the Welsh Language Steering
Group at their meetings every term.
(Target: 2011/12)
3.7.2 The Corporation will continue to receive an annual compliance report that
will achieve the following aims:
 Measure whether the College is complying with the Scheme;
 Measure if the Scheme is being appropriately managed;
 Analyse its performance on a departmental and corporate basis, in
order to ensure consistency;
 Assess and consider key themes in scheme implementation
including Welsh medium/bilingual curriculum development;
 Recognise any fundamental weaknesses, and set up an action plan,
which will include a timetable to deal with them. A copy of this will be
sent to the Welsh Language Board.
(Target: 2011/12)
3.7.3 In the third year of the Scheme’s implementation the College will prepare a
comprehensive evaluation report that will assess and evaluate
performance in implementing the Scheme since its inception. This report
will:
i) provide an overview and thematic analysis of compliance and
performance over the first three years of the Scheme, from two
perspectives – service delivery and scheme management;
ii) outline priorities for the following three years, together with a revised
timetable for implementing the measures in the scheme.
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At this time, the College will revise and update the Welsh Language
Scheme.
(Target: 2013/14)
3.7.4 The College will review the implementation of the Scheme on a continuous
basis via its Welsh Language Scheme Development Group. All aspects of
the Scheme will be examined. The Director (Marketing, Communications &
Planning) will be chiefly responsible for reviewing the scheme on behalf of
the College, and providing an annual report to the Welsh Language Board.
(Target: 2011/12)
3.7.5 The College will actively seek the feedback and opinion from its learners,
staff, and other service users, as well as monitoring the numbers of
complaints received and responding accordingly.
(Target: 2011/12)
3.7.6 The College will welcome and record suggestions on how to improve the
scheme.
(Target 2011/12)
3.8 Quality Standards
3.8.1 The College is committed to providing an equally high quality service in
Welsh and English. When assessing and measuring the standards and
effectiveness of services and provisions in Welsh, the College will employ
exactly the same ‘performance indicators’ as those utilised with regards to
its services and provisions in English.
3.8.2 The College is subject to inspection by Estyn under the Common
Inspection Framework. The College undertakes an annual Self
Assessment Report which covers bilingual issues. Aspects of the Welsh
Language Scheme relating to learner issues are also considered by the
Learner Services Group.
3.8.3 The College will declare its commitment to ensuring equal linguistic
standards between its Welsh and English provisions in its corporate plans,
annual report, prospectuses and promotional literature.
(Target: 2011/12)
3.8.4 The College is committed to setting specific standards for the use of
Welsh across all its sites when providing services dealing with the public
and will review the standards and their implementation. It will be the
responsibility of the Welsh Language Steering Group to carry out the
review. This team will be responsible for developing, implementing and
monitoring services for Welsh speakers. They will ensure that College staff
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are kept informed of developments. Curriculum managers and functional
managers will be responsible for actively encouraging the development of
the Welsh language skills of their staff.
(Target: 2011/12)
3.9 Comparing Performance against Standards
3.9.1 The College’s annual report on the scheme will compare its performance
against the standards included in the scheme. This will include statistical
details of Welsh medium communications conducted throughout the year
and the progress of the staff development plan. The full contents of the
annual report will be placed on the college website.
3.10 Contact Details
3.10.1 The Director (Marketing, Communications & Planning) shall continually
monitor and review the implementation of this Welsh Language Scheme,
and that monitoring function shall have a definite structure. Their details
are as follows:
Mr Robert Gilvear
Director (Marketing, Communications & Planning),
Coleg Gwent,
The Rhadyr,
Usk,
Mons NP15 1XJ
Tel 01495 333333
E mail: robert.gilvear@coleggwent.ac.uk
3.10.2 Any complaints regarding implementation of the Scheme should be
referred to the above as they will be dealt with in accordance with the
College’s general complaints procedure.
3.11
Ensuring Publicity for the Scheme
3.11.1 The College will ensure publicity for its Welsh Language Scheme
amongst the public in order to ensure that, on the one hand, the public
and students who come into contact with the College are aware of its
Welsh medium services and provisions, and that on the other hand, the
College’s employees, agents and contractors are aware of the need to
operate in accordance with the requirements of the Scheme.
(Target: 2011/12)
3.11.2 The College will adopt the following means of publicising its Welsh
Language Scheme:
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 Posters and leaflets advertising the College’s activities to include
reference to the Welsh Language Scheme
 Statements and articles to the press and other media
 Distribution of summarised electronic/hard copies of the Scheme to
both administrative and academic staff
 Distribution of copies of the Scheme to other organisations and
individuals interested in the College’s Welsh Language provisions
 Place the Scheme on the College’s website
(Target: 2011/12)
4.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF A WELSH ETHOS AT THE COLLEGE
4.1 Administrative Arrangements
4.1.1 The College has recorded the Welsh language skills of its staff and asks
for this information from new staff.
(Target: 2011/12)
4.1.2 The College will establish a list of staff who feel confident enough to join a
team to provide services for Welsh speakers. These staff will be
encouraged and supported to further improve their Welsh language skills
through a number of courses that are offered by the Welsh for Adults
Centre.
(Target 2011/12)
4.1.3 The College will note in its publications those departments where Welsh
speakers are available.
(Target: 2012/13)
4.2 Developing a Welsh Ethos within the curriculum
4.2.1 In line with Colegau Cymru’s draft National Bilingual Strategy for Further
Education (Strand 1), the College will seek to promote a ‘sense of place’ in
relevant courses, and will increase learners’ understanding and
appreciation of their Welsh identity, provide learner support provision
through the medium of Welsh, and ensure the role of key corporate
activities in improving the use of Welsh in the College, by developing and
implementing a Learner Support Strategy which sets out the ways in which
learners wishing to learn or receive a service through the medium of
Welsh can be identified and supported.
(Target 2011/12)
4.2.2 The College will continue to ensure that all learners are made aware of the
need for bilingual skills and any advantages arising from them by actively
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publicising the services offered by the College and key partners, and by
continuing to develop its existing tutorial programme.
(Target 2011/12)
4.2.3 Services through the medium of Welsh will be introduced on a section by
section basis, within college constraints. It will be dependent on the Welsh
language skills of its staff (see 4.1 above) and may be extended beyond
that outlined above once staff bilingual expertise is identified.
4.3
Dealing with the Welsh Speaking Public
4.3.1 Corresponding with the Public
4.3.1.1 The College welcomes correspondence in Welsh or English.
4.3.1.2 The College will continue to respond in Welsh to letters written in Welsh.
Responses in Welsh will be subject to the same performance indicators
as those written in English.
(Target: 2011/12)
4.3.1.3 Corresponding in Welsh will not in itself lead to delay.
(Target: 2011/12)
4.3.1.4 Letters from the College following a Welsh language conversation (either
face to face or via the telephone) will continue to be written in Welsh.
(Target: 2011/12)
4.3.1.5 The College will continue to correspond in Welsh with those who would
prefer to do so.
(Target: 2011/12)
4.3.1.6 The College will ensure that standard letters produced centrally for the
public in Wales will be published bilingually. All areas of the College have
been issued with guidelines indicating the requirements for such letters.
(Target: 2011/12)
4.3.1.7 Electronic mail will be treated in the same manner as traditional mail.
(Target: 2011/12)
4.3.1.8 The College will establish a database of those people or organisations
wishing to communicate through the medium of Welsh.
(Target: 2011/12)
4.3.1.9 The College will open formal communications bilingually with those
whose preferred language is not known.
(Target: 2011/12)
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4.3.2 Communicating via the Telephone
4.3.2.1 Anyone telephoning Coleg Gwent is welcome to speak Welsh or English
according to his/her choice. As a matter of courtesy, and in order to
indicate to telephone callers that a choice of language is being offered,
staff (both administrative and academic) will respond to all external calls
with a short bilingual greeting as follows:
 Bore da, good morning
 Prynhawn da, good afternoon
Frontline staff will continue to receive Welsh language training
(Target: 2011/12)
4.3.2.2 If the telephone caller speaks in Welsh and the responding staff member
is unable to speak Welsh, he/she will explain that they are unable to
communicate in Welsh and will offer the caller the choice of:
 Transferring the call to a Welsh speaking member of staff
 Continuing with the call in English
 Submitting the query in written form in Welsh
(Target: 2011/12)
4.3.2.3 In order to facilitate the arrangements above, the College will compile a
list of members of both administrative and academic staff who are able to
deal with telephone enquiries in Welsh. This list will be included on the
College website and in the College’s internal telephone directory.
(Target: 2012/13)
4.3.2.4 All recorded messages on the College’s telephone answering machines
will be bilingual, and the time target will be the same for replying to
Welsh telephone enquiries as for English ones.
(Target: 2011/12)
4.3.2.5 All e-mail signatures and out of office auto-responses will be bilingual,
and the time target will be the same for replying to Welsh e-mail
enquiries as for English ones.
(Target: 2011/12)
4.3.3 Public Meetings
4.3.3.1 The College will publicise that members of the public are welcome to
communicate with the College in Welsh or English.
(Target: 2011/12)
4.3.3.2 Every agenda, invitation, summons or advertisement for such meetings
shall be bilingual and shall include a note informing the public that they
will be welcome to use Welsh or English at the meeting, and requesting
16
them to inform the organiser beforehand which language they wish to
use at the meeting.
4.3.3.3 Staff who are able to communicate in Welsh will be encouraged to attend
public meetings in order to make those in attendance who may wish to
use Welsh feel at ease and in order to promote natural bilingualism at
such meetings. In order to facilitate this, the above officers will wear
‘Working Welsh’ badges to indicate that they can communicate in Welsh
or are learning Welsh.
(Target: 2011/12)
4.3.4 Other Meetings
4.3.4.1 The College will encourage members of staff who are able to converse in
Welsh to attend meetings open to the public (for example open evenings
or parents’ evenings). The College will give advance notice that bilingual
members of staff are available to hold face-to-face discussions. In order
to facilitate this, the above officers will wear ‘Working Welsh’ badges to
indicate that they can communicate in Welsh or are learning Welsh.
(Target: 2011/12)
4.3.4.2 Any person who wishes to conduct private or one-to-one meetings with
the College is welcome to do so in either Welsh or English. The College
will therefore take every step practically possible to offer a language
choice each time a meeting is arranged.
4.3.4.3 Where Welsh is the requested medium, arrangements will be made with
an appropriate Welsh-speaking member of staff. If there are no Welshspeaking members of staff in the appropriate department, the situation
will be explained to the individual who will then be offered the choice of:
 Conducting the meeting in English
 Submitting a written enquiry in Welsh
4.3.4.4 By offering a language choice, the college recognises:
 That individuals can express their views and needs better in their
preferred language
 That enabling individuals to use their preferred language is a matter
of good practice, not a concession
 That denying them the right to use their preferred language could
place individuals at a real disadvantage
4.3.4.5 The above measures are applicable to all kinds of non-public meetings.
(Target: 2011/12)
17
4.3.5 Dealing with the Public in Other Ways
4.3.5.1 The College will follow the same guidelines as those in 4.3.3 and 4.3.4
above in situations where other means of spoken communication, such
as video links or public address systems, are used.
(Target: 2011/12)
4.3.5.2 The College will ensure that its website is bilingual, with information
given on how to contact the College in Welsh electronically. Pages and
course databases describing individual courses taught solely through the
medium of English may remain in English only, as will sections for the
International market.
(Target: 2011/12)
4.4 The Public Face of the College
4.4.1 The Corporate Identity of the College
4.4.1.1 The College’s corporate identity and public image will be bilingual.
Therefore a bilingual format will be utilised to convey its corporate
identity on signage and in publications and the names of its services; the
addresses of its offices; its logo; its corporate slogan; its letter headings;
its business cards, fax paper, identity badges, greetings slips, e-mail
‘signatures’ and all corporate writing on its premises.
(Target: 2011/12)
4.4.1.2 Other standard materials containing the College name and logo, such as
letters, vehicles, fax paper, business cards and badges, will also be
bilingual.
(Target: 2011/12)
4.4.2 Information Signs within College Boundaries
4.4.2.1 All new or replacement information signs within the boundaries of
College property will be bilingual.
(Target: 2011/12)
4.4.2.2 The size, quality, legibility and prominence of the words in both
languages will respect the principle of equality.
(Target: 2011/12)
4.4.2.3 Where Welsh and English signs are displayed separately, the size,
quality, legibility and prominence of the words in both languages will also
respect the principle of equality.
(Target: 2011/12)
18
4.4.2.4 Where signs are being produced outside of the College, the contents will
be sent in word-processed format to ensure correct spelling.
(Target: 2011/12)
4.4.3 Other Public Information Signs
4.4.3.1 Information signs in Wales lying outside of the boundaries of the College
but remaining under the College’s responsibility will also be bilingual
(Target: 2011/12)
4.4.4 Publishing and Printing Material
4.4.4.1 Due to the nature of College resources, a selective approach will be
taken as to which documentation will be produced in bilingual format.
However, generic information aimed at the public will be published
bilingually, either as a single bilingual document or in separate Welsh
and English versions, with a presumption in favour of a single bilingual
document. Where separate versions are produced, the College will
ensure that both are publicised in the same way, and that a supply of
both is equally available. The College will also work on the principle that
the Welsh language should be used to advertise all those services which
the College can provide in Welsh, and that such services should be
noted in all major publications, such as the College prospectus,
regardless of the main language used. Details of individual courses will
be advertised in the same language as the medium of instruction.
(Target: 2011/12)
4.4.4.2 The price of a Welsh version of a document will not be greater than the
price of an English version. Also, each version will carry a message that
the document is also available in the other language.
(Target: 2011/12)
4.4.4.3 Whenever priced bilingual documents are published, the price will be no
higher than a monolingual version of the same document.
(Target: 2011/12)
4.4.4.4 Whenever Welsh language versions of documents are published, they
will be charged at the same price as the English version.
(Target: 2011/12)
4.4.4.5 The College will ensure that staff, consultants, designers and printers
receive written instructions on how to deal with bilingual publications.
This will include the Welsh Language Board Guide to Bilingual Design.
(Target: 2011/12)
19
4.4.4.6 The College will provide bilingually other types of printed materials, e.g.
posters, cards, timetables, invoices and cheques.
(Target: 2011/12)
4.4.5 Forms and Explanatory Materials
4.4.5.1 The College will provide forms and explanatory materials for the public
bilingually or with separate Welsh and English versions.
(Target: 2011/12)
4.4.5.2 The following categories will be completely bilingual:
a. Gwent Welsh For Adults Centre enrolment forms
b. College medical disclosure forms
4.4.5.3 The following categories will have separate Welsh and English versions:
a.
b.
c.
d.
College enrolment forms
College quality forms
Learner policies
College financial forms
4.4.5.4 The College will ensure that whenever Welsh and English forms and
explanatory materials are published separately, they will be published
and distributed simultaneously with equal availability of both, and a
message confirming availability in the other language.
(Target: 2011/12)
4.4.5.5 The College will keep a database of Welsh speaking customers, and
open communications bilingually with those whose preferred language is
not known.
(Target: 2011/12)
4.4.6 Notices to the Press
4.4.6.1 In order to maximise current resources, press releases to the Welsh
language press may be issued bilingually or in Welsh only, while press
releases to the non-Welsh medium press may be issued bilingually or in
English only. News releases that have a specific relevance to the Welsh
language will be targeted at both the Welsh and English medium media
in Wales. Press releases on the College website will also be bilingual
where they relate to Welsh language topics.
(Target: 2011/12)
20
4.4.7 Publicity Materials
4.4.7.1 All publicity material, such as prospectuses, will contain generic
information bilingually. There will be specific mention of Welsh language
opportunities, and consideration will be given to making this information
available at other learner points of contact. The College will publicise
advantages associated with Welsh language skills. We will treat the two
languages on a basis of equality.
(Target: 2011/12)
4.4.8 Advertising Campaigns and Exhibition Materials
4.4.8.1 All forms of college advertising to appear only in Wales shall contain
bilingual elements, such as bilingual headings and bilingual contact
details. The College will treat the two languages on a basis of equality.
Materials aimed at Welsh medium schools or the Welsh media will be in
Welsh only or bilingual
(Target: 2011/12)
4.4.8.2 Advertisements and publicity to be placed in media that circulates
throughout the U.K. (e.g. the Times Education Supplement) will be in
English only. Advertisements to be placed in Welsh language media shall
be in Welsh or bilingual as appropriate.
(Target: 2011/12)
4.4.9 Responding to Publicity Materials
4.4.9.1
Response mechanisms linked to the College’s advertising and publicity
activities in Wales will enable contact through the medium of Welsh.
The College will issue named contacts for this purpose
(Target: 2011/12)
4.4.10 Official Notices and Recruitment
4.4.10.1 Staff recruitment notices will be bilingual whenever Welsh is considered
desirable, regardless of whether they are advertised in the Welsh
language media or not. Staff recruitment notices for positions where
Welsh is essential will be in Welsh only (with a footnote in English) and
those where there is no linguistic requirement may be in English only.
(Target: 2011/12)
4.4.10.2 The English and Welsh versions of the bilingual notices in 4.4.10.1
above will be equal in size, quality, legibility and prominence.
(Target: 2011/12)
21
5.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF BILINGUAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS TO
AUGMENT AN ENGLISH MEDIUM PROVISION
5.1
The overall responsibility for the planning and management of the
College’s provision lies with the Vice Principal (Curriculum & Quality).
Each academic year the College’s provision is reviewed by Campus
Deputy Directors and modified in line with learner demand, quality
considerations, staff availability and Welsh Assembly Government
directives
The College has a comprehensive curriculum covering all classified
subject sector areas, across all levels up to and including Level 4.
5.2
In line with Colegau Cymru’s draft National Bilingual Strategy for Further
Education (Strand 2), the college will seek to introduce:

Iaith ar Waith to groups of vocational students

A Welsh-medium Communication Key Skill for students following
courses that could lead to work in the public sector
(Target 2012/13)
5.2
The College will further develop the opportunities of utilising the Gwent
Welsh for Adults Centre staff expertise in increasing Welsh language
opportunities in mainstream provision and for general Welsh language
skills development for learners aged 19+.
(Target 2011/12)
5.3
The College will also seek to offer Welsh language skills development
sessions for learners aged 16-18.
(Target 2011/12)
2013/14
In line with Colegau Cymru’s draft National Bilingual Strategy for Further
Education (Strand 2), the college will seek to introduce:
 Iaith ar Waith to groups of vocational students
 Delivery of a Welsh-medium Communication Key Skill for students
following courses that could lead to work in the public sector
6.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF WELSH-MEDIUM OR BILINGUAL PROVISION FOR
POST-14 LEARNERS
Planning
6.1
The overall responsibility for planning and management of the College
provision lies with the Vice Principal (Curriculum & Quality). Heads of
School work with their Campus Deputy Director to identify opportunities for
bilingual and Welsh medium provision, based on learner demand and staff
expertise in delivering bilingually or through the medium of Welsh.
22
Current Provision
6.2
As the largest College in Wales, the curriculum offer is wide and diverse,
ranging from entry level to Level 4, and across virtually every sector
subject area.
6.3
The College’s Tutorial Enrichment Programme that is available to all full
time learners includes an option on the Welsh language.
Wherever feasible the College offers work experience in Welsh language
environments, and undertakes to enable assessments to be undertaken
through the medium of Welsh.
All learners related policies and forms are available in English and Welsh.
6.4
The College will offer an element of Welsh medium provision to any
student who wishes it by offering the following wherever possible within
College constraints:








6.5
written work accepted in Welsh
specific course elements or modules offered in Welsh
work experience in a Welsh speaking environment
the provision of bilingual notes, including terminology
language classes offered in Welsh to support subjects taught in
English
lessons taught bilingually
Welsh language classes to support learners improve their Welsh
language skills
Initial assessment
(Target: 2011/12)
The College will work together with Sgiliaith to facilitate and promote
bilingual and Welsh medium provision by, wherever possible:
 offering guidance in Welsh to Welsh speaking students studying
courses in English
 encouraging and supporting the training needs of staff in the Welsh
Language by offering Welsh Language courses as part of a staff
development programme. Staff who have contact with the general
public will be actively encouraged to take advantage of these
opportunities
 identify staff to attend the National Sabbaticals Scheme
 offering Student Services advice in Welsh
 sharing students on courses where individual College enrolments are
low
 providing Welsh medium work experience by forming links with key
partners and careers agencies
(Target : 2011/12)
23
College Curriculum
6.6
The College currently delivers limited provision through the medium of
Welsh or bilingually, although it has previously run Iaith ar Waith to groups
of vocational students. It is dependent on having teaching resource with
appropriate Welsh language skills.















In 2010/11 the following courses were run:
OCN Introduction to Welsh Language & Culture Level1
OCN Defnyddio Cymraeg gyda Phlant Bach – Rhannau’r Corff Entry 3
OCN Defnyddio Cymraeg gyda Phlant Bach – Cyfarchion Entry 3
OCN Defnyddio Cymraeg gyda Phlant Bach – Tywydd, Tymorau ac
Amser Entry 3
OCN Defnyddio Cymraeg gyda Phlant Bach – Rhifedd Entry 3
OCN Gwylio – Rhaglenni Cymraeg Teledu (Uwch) Level 3
Darllen – Darnau o Ryddiaeth Level 3
OCN Cyfarch Plant Bach Level 1
OCN Defnyddio'r Gymraeg gyda Phlant Dan 5 Oed Level 1
OCN Siarad - Sgiliau Derbynfa Level 1
OCN Amser Cofrestr gyda Phlant Bach Level 1
OCN Darllen Stori I Blant Bach Level 1
OCN Rhoi Gorchmynion I Blant Bach Level 1
OCN Siarad - Sgiliau Derbynfa Level 1
OCN Siarad Caffi / Ty Bwyta Level 1
These courses have run over a number of subject areas including Access
to HE, Childcare, Health & Social Care, Pharmacy, A Level, IT &
Business, and also through the Tutorial Enrichment Programme.
6.7
The College will identify opportunities to increase 16-19 provision through
the medium of Welsh or bilingually, and consider alternative means of
offering Welsh-language or bilingual provision.
6.8
Consider alternative means of offering Welsh-language or bilingual
provision (either entire programme or alternatively individual identified
units), eg video conferencing provision or other distance learning methods,
where appropriate
6.9
The College will The College is committed to ensuring at least 32 learners
pursuing Welsh-medium or bilingual courses or modules by 2013/14.
(Target: 2013/14)
Collaboration & Partnership
6.10 In line with Colegau Cymru’s draft National Bilingual Strategy for Further
Education (Strand 3), the College will develop as a medium-term goal
24
Welsh-medium or bilingual provision for post-14 learners as identified by
the 5 local 14-19 Learning Networks that operate within its catchment
area.
(Target 2012/13)
6.11 Monitor learners’ use of language to identify whether present provision
encourages the use of Welsh informally in the classroom and for formal
assessment
(Target 2013/14)
6.12 In conjunction with key partners, language skills and academic/vocational
specialities of all teaching staff within the 14-19 Network area, or within the
immediate south east Wales area, as appropriate, to be identified and
mapped.
(Target 2013/14)
6.13 Network area, regional and national skills in relation to Welsh to be
identified in conjunction with key partners on the 14-19 Learning Networks.
(Target 2013/14)
6.14 Identify and implement support arrangements for staff teaching on
bilingual or Welsh-medium courses (eg mentoring, models for co-working
with teachers from the Welsh-medium school, etc).
(Target 2013/14)
6.15 Identify other staff training needs (eg teaching methodologies, support in
incorporating Welsh language activities into schemes of work and lesson
plans) and arrange appropriate training.
(Target 2013/14)
General
6.16 The College will continue to ensure that Welsh speaking students with
special educational needs are able to access all the services offered in 4.8
above having extended its College’s Equal Opportunities Policy, Disability
Statement and Student Charter to this Scheme.
(Target: 2011/12)
Although all aspects of the Scheme are timetabled, the following represents the
major targets aimed for over the three academic years:
2011/12
Develop and implement a Learner Support Strategy that sets out the services the
College will develop to identify and support learners who wish to improve their
Welsh language skills, receive more support through the medium of Welsh.
25
2013/14
In line with Colegau Cymru’s draft National Bilingual Strategy for Further
Education (Strand 3), the College will develop as a medium-term goal Welshmedium or bilingual provision for post-14 learners as identified by local 14-19
Learning Networks.
26
7. (ii) Summary of Timetable for Implementing the Measures in the Scheme
The following is intended as a summary only. The exact wording of each measure can be found in the main body of the
scheme.
Action
Target Date
(Academic Year)
Implementation and Monitoring / Service Planning and Delivery
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
The College will ensure that the arrangements noted in the scheme are approved at the highest level, and carry
the full authority of the College
The College will ensure that its staff are familiar with the scheme
The College will integrate administrative functions related to the Welsh Language Scheme into its standard
administrative procedures
Wherever translation work is required, the College will make use of translators with valid qualifications, or
approved translation agencies
The College will ensure that any consultants or members of staff responsible for the formation or updating of
policy will be aware of the Language Scheme and the College’s responsibilities under the Welsh Language Act
The College will continue to ensure that every measure contained in the scheme will be applied to new or
updated policies and initiatives when they are implemented
All agreements and arrangements for external organisations to undertake the provision of services to the public
in Wales on its behalf will comply fully with the term and requirements of this Scheme
The College will prepare internal progress reports regarding the implementation of the Scheme
The Corporation will continue to receive an annual compliance report
In the third year of the Scheme’s implementation the College will prepare a comprehensive evaluation report that
will assess and evaluate performance in implementing the Scheme since its inception
The College will review the implementation of the Scheme on a continuous basis
The College will actively seek the feedback and opinion from its learners, staff, and other service users, as well
as monitoring the numbers of complaints received and responding accordingly
The College will welcome and record suggestions on how to improve the scheme
The College will declare its commitment to ensuring equal linguistic standards between its Welsh and English
provisions in its corporate plans, annual report, prospectuses and promotional literature
27
2011/12
15. The College is committed to setting specific standards for the use of Welsh across all its sites when providing
services dealing with the public
16. The College will ensure publicity for its Welsh Language Scheme amongst the public
2011/12
Strand 1: The development of a Welsh ethos at the College
1. Staffing
 The College has recorded the Welsh language skills of its staff and asks for this information from new staff.
 The College will establish a list of staff who feel confident enough to join a team to provide services for Welsh
speakers
 The College will note in its publications those departments where Welsh speakers are available
 The College will seek to promote a ‘sense of place’ in relevant courses, and develop and implement a Learner
Support Strategy setting out the ways in which learners wishing to learn or receive a service through the
medium of Welsh can be identified and supported
 The College will continue to ensure that all learners are made aware of the need for bilingual skills
2. Corresponding with the public
 The College will continue to respond in Welsh to letters written in Welsh
 Corresponding in Welsh will not in itself lead to delay
 Letters from the College following a Welsh language conversation (either face to face or via the telephone) will
continue to be written in Welsh
 The College will continue to correspond in Welsh with those who would prefer to do so
 The College will ensure that standard letters produced centrally for the public in Wales will be published
bilingually
 Electronic mail will be treated in the same manner as traditional mail
 The College will establish a database of those people or organisations wishing to communicate through the
medium of Welsh
 The College will open formal communications bilingually with those whose preferred language is not known
 All e-mail signatures and out of office auto-responses will be bilingual, and the time target will be the same for
replying to Welsh e-mail enquiries as for English ones
 The College will publicise that members of the public are welcome to communicate with the College in Welsh
or English
3. Communicating via the telephone
 Staff (both administrative and academic) will respond to all external calls with a short bilingual greeting
28
2011/12
2011/12
2011/12
4.
5.
6.
7.
 Staff will offer callers a range of options if they are unable to correspond in Welsh
 The College will compile a list of members of both administrative and academic staff who are able to deal with
telephone enquiries in Welsh.
 All recorded messages on the College’s telephone answering machines will be bilingual, and the time target
will be the same for replying to Welsh telephone enquiries as for English ones
Meetings
 Every agenda, invitation, summons or advertisement for public meetings shall be bilingual
 Staff who are able to communicate in Welsh will be encouraged to attend public meetings
 The College will encourage members of staff who are able to converse in Welsh to attend meetings open to
the public
Corporate Identity
 The College’s corporate identity and public image will be bilingual
 Other standard materials containing the College name and logo, such as letters, vehicles, fax paper, business
cards and badges, will also be bilingual
 All new or replacement information signs within the boundaries of College property will be bilingual
 The size, quality, legibility and prominence of the words in both languages will respect the principle of equality
 Where Welsh and English signs are displayed separately, the size, quality, legibility and prominence of the
words in both languages will also respect the principle of equality
 Where signs are being produced outside of the College, the contents will be sent in word-processed format to
ensure correct spelling
 Information signs in Wales lying outside of the boundaries of the College but remaining under the College’s
responsibility will also be bilingual
Website
 The College will ensure that its website is bilingual, with information given on how to contact the College in
Welsh electronically
Marketing and Promotion
 Generic information aimed at the public will be published bilingually, either as a single bilingual document or in
separate Welsh and English versions, with a presumption in favour of a single bilingual document
 The price of a Welsh version of a document will not be greater than the price of an English version.
 Whenever priced bilingual documents are published, the price will be no higher than a monolingual version of
the same document
 Whenever Welsh language versions of documents are published, they will be charged at the same price as the
29
2011/12
2011/12
2011/12
2011/12
English version
 The College will ensure that staff, consultants, designers and printers receive written instructions on how to
deal with bilingual publications
 The College will provide bilingually other types of printed materials, e.g. posters, cards, timetables, invoices
and cheques
 The College will provide forms and explanatory materials for the public bilingually or with separate Welsh and
English versions
 The College will ensure that whenever Welsh and English forms and explanatory materials are published
separately, they will be published and distributed simultaneously with equal availability of both, and a message
confirming availability in the other language
 The College will keep a database of Welsh speaking customers, and open communications bilingually with
those whose preferred language is not known
 Press releases to the Welsh language press may be issued bilingually or in Welsh only, while press releases to
the non-Welsh medium press may be issued bilingually or in English only
 All publicity material, such as prospectuses, will contain generic information bilingually, treating the two
languages on a basis of equality
 All forms of college advertising to appear only in Wales shall contain bilingual elements, such as bilingual
headings and bilingual contact details
 Advertisements and publicity to be placed in media that circulates throughout the U.K. will be in English only.
Advertisements to be placed in Welsh language media shall be in Welsh or bilingual as appropriate
 Response mechanisms linked to the College’s advertising and publicity activities in Wales will enable contact
through the medium of Welsh
 Staff recruitment notices will be bilingual whenever Welsh is considered desirable, regardless of whether they
are advertised in the Welsh language media or not. Staff recruitment notices for positions where Welsh is
essential will be in Welsh only (with a footnote in English) and those where there is no linguistic requirement
may be in English only, and will be equal in size, quality, legibility and prominence
Strand 2: The development of bilingual communication skills to augment an English medium provision
1. The College will continue to implement its Linguistic Skills Strategy as part of its human resource planning
2. The College will encourage appropriate staff to participate in the Welsh Assembly Government’s Sabbatical
Scheme, has committed to ensuring 6 staff undertake the Sabbatical Scheme in 2013/14.
3. The College will undertake an audit to more fully ascertain staff Welsh language skills
4. The College will look to utilise the Welsh Language Board’s Language Awareness Training Package as part of
30
2011/12
2013/14
2011/12
2011/12
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
its induction programme
The College will support members of staff who wish to learn or improve their Welsh
The College will use the National Language Standards as a means of establishing the level of both Welsh
speaking staff and staff learning Welsh
The College will note those positions where the ability to speak Welsh is essential and those where it is
desirable
When the ability to communicate in Welsh is an essential qualification for a post, this will be clearly stated in the
advertisement and the job details
The College will assess the need for vocational training through the medium of Welsh, and ensure that those
responsible for recruitment and staff development implement a programme to fulfil that need.
The College will monitor the number of Welsh speaking staff members required and take action if that number
falls below the required level
The college will seek to introduce Iaith ar Waith to groups of vocational students and a Welsh-medium
Communication Key Skill for students following courses that could lead to work in the public sector
The College will further develop the opportunities of utilising the Gwent Welsh for Adults Centre staff expertise in
increasing Welsh language opportunities in mainstream provision and for general Welsh language skills
development for learners aged 19+
The College will also seek to offer Welsh language skills development sessions for learners aged 16-18.
Strand 3: The development of Welsh-medium or bilingual provision for post-14 learners
1. The College will offer an element of Welsh medium provision to any student who wishes it within College
constraints
2. The College will work together with Sgiliaith to facilitate and promote bilingual and Welsh medium provision
3. The College is committed to ensuring at least 32 learners pursuing Welsh-medium or bilingual courses or
modules
4. The College will develop Welsh-medium or bilingual provision for post-14 learners as identified by the 5 local 1419 Learning Networks that operate within its catchment area
5. Monitor learners’ use of language to identify whether present provision encourages the use of Welsh informally
in the classroom and for formal assessment
6. In conjunction with key partners, language skills and academic/vocational specialities of all teaching staff within
the 14-19 Network area, or within the immediate south east Wales area, as appropriate, to be identified and
mapped.
7. Network area, regional and national skills in relation to Welsh to be identified in conjunction with key partners on
31
2011/12
2011/12
2011/12
2011/12
2011/12
2011/12
2012/13
2011/12
2011/12
2011/12
2011/12
2013/14
2012/13
2013/14
2013/14
2013/14
8.
9.
the 14-19 Learning Networks
Identify and implement support arrangements for staff teaching on bilingual or Welsh-medium courses
Identify other staff training needs and arrange appropriate training
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2013/14
2013/14