What is the Sabbatical Scheme?

What is the Sabbatical Scheme?
The Sabbatical Scheme is a language course designed for teachers, lecturers, instructors and classroom assistants who want to raise their standard of Welsh and gain confidence in the use of the language. The aim of the course is to develop and improve the Welsh of educational practitioners (native speakers and learners) so that they can feel confident to teach and administer through the medium of Welsh.

Who is the Sabbatical Scheme for?
The higher-level course is aimed at first language Welsh speakers or learners who are able to speak Welsh comparatively fluently, and who work in the primary, secondary or FE sector. The course is available to:

  • full-time teachers and lecturers
  • part-time teachers and lecturers
  • staff from training companies
  • newly qualified teachers *
  • supply staff *
  • classroom assistants *
(* subject to some conditions)

The foundation-level (Sylfaen) course is aimed at second-language Primary school teachers who speak a small amount of Welsh (Entry-level) already.

The entry-level (Mynediad) course is aimed at second-language classroom assistants who have very little or no prior knowledge of the Welsh language.

Who pays?
The course is free of charge. The Welsh Government is responsible for all training costs including supply costs, travel and subsistence.