GCSE Welsh (Second Language)
Key Details
- Available at:Online
- Study Mode:Part-time
- Course Length:
30 weeks, 3 hours per week
GCSE Welsh (Second Language)Courses for School Leavers
Courses for 24/25 are now full.
For courses starting in September 2025, applications will be open from July 2025.
Please refer to our FAQs at the bottom of this page which may answer some questions for you.
Please note: We recommend that you have access to a laptop or Chromebook to enable coursework to be completed digitally at home. There is a dedicated IT Digital Inclusion fund to support those learners who do not have a digital device and are unable to purchase one.
Course Description
Grŵp Llandrillo Menai can provide opportunities for you to further develop your Welsh Language skills.
GCSE Welsh Second Language will help you understand and be able to use Cymraeg in a variety of contexts. You will develop listening, speaking, reading and writing skills that will enable you to use Welsh confidently in your personal and professional life. Welsh language skills are becoming an increasingly desirable and in-demand employability skill; many employers value bilingual skills within their workforce and in some industries the ability to communicate effectively in Welsh is essential.
Who is the course aimed at?
Anyone interested in gaining a GCSE or wanting to improve on a previously achieved grade.
If you are under 16 years of age, please refer to our FAQs section.
You may want to learn Welsh in order to help your children with their schoolwork.
Maybe you want to get more involved in your local community, and be able to converse in Welsh with friends and neighbours.
Or maybe you have your eye on a new job or promotion and being able to communicate in Welsh will give you the edge.
Whatever your reasons for wanting to learn Welsh, studying GCSE Welsh second language will provide you with opportunities to develop a wide range of Welsh language skills.
Key Topics covered
Oracy: You will develop your speaking and listening skills throughout the course, in formal and informal situations.
You will be assessed delivering a presentation or talk and you will take part in group discussions. These will be recorded by your tutor.
Reading and Writing: You will develop your ability to write for a range of purposes and audiences.
Cost
£235 (£190 tuition fee, £45 exam entry fee)
Entry Criteria
A good understanding of basic Welsh is required which will be assessed before you are accepted onto the course. If appropriate, we will recommend a different course prior to you enrolling onto GCSE and refund your course fees.
If you have not taken the exam previously, or if it was taken a considerable time ago, your tutor will have a chat with you to determine whether this course is right for you.
The following technology is required:
- Laptop/Desktop PC/Tablet
- A stable broadband connection
- You will be expected to have a working camera and speaker to contribute fully in the lesson
Learners will be expected to access emails, Google Classroom and potentially other online tools that will support their learning. Support in accessing these will be provided.
For online classes:
You must live within easy access of a Grŵp Llandrillo Menai campus as you will need to attend a campus to undertake your assessments and exams.
Delivery
Online learning
Discussions
Group work
Debate
Regular homework will be set
Your programme will include a combination of:
- Essential Skills qualifications and/or
- GCSE resits
Essential Skills
This may include a combination of Application of Number, Communication, Digital Literacy and Essential Employability Skills
GCSE resits
This may include GCSE Numeracy/Maths and/or Welsh/English Language.
Maths & Welsh/English
If you don't achieve a C or above in Maths and/ or English/Welsh, we will support you to retake these subjects as part of your study programme.
Assessment
Two written exams and an Oracy assessment.
Provisional Exam Dates are: Wednesday 13th May 2026 (am) and Tuesday 2nd June 2026 (am)
Progression
You could choose one of the many different courses available at Grŵp Llandrillo Menai.
Other details
Course type: Courses for School Leavers, Adult Learners
Level:
2
Programme Area:
- GCSEs
The course is available bilingually at the following campuses/locations :
- Online
Part-time GCSEs: Frequently Asked Questions
What GCSE’s do you offer and where?
- English Language - Abergele, Bangor, Rhos-on-Sea, Online
- Welsh (2nd Language) - Online only
- Mathematics - Abergele, Bangor, Rhos-on-Sea
- Mathematics (Numeracy) - Abergele, Bangor, Online
- Biology - Rhos-on-Sea
What time are the GCSE courses?
The time and location of the part-time GCSE courses will be available on the website (May/June each year).
How much will they cost?
The total cost is £235. Tuition fee is £190, the exam fee is £45.
You may be eligible for a concession on the tuition fee.
How can I find out if I am eligible for a concession?
Please visit the Fees and Concessions page for more information
What is the process for applying for part time GCSE courses?
All part-time GCSE courses are applied for through the website.
How do I pay for my GCSE course?
Payment is made when you apply for the course.
I am under 16, can I do my GCSE’s at college?
Yes, if you are 15 years old on the 1st September and you are home-schooled and not in statutory education. You will need to have an appropriate chaperone with you at each lesson throughout the year. Fees are charged at the usual college rates.
Before you enrol, we suggest your parents contact Learner Services for more information.
I have applied for a full-time course, can I do my GCSE re-sit as well?
Full-time courses have their own GCSE programme. You do not need to apply to do these as your tutors will advise you as to the best GCSE/ESW to meet your course requirements.
If you have applied for a full-time course, please do not apply for part-time GCSE’s through the website.
I would like to apply for the GCSE Numeracy or Maths course. How do I know my maths skills are good enough to cope with the course?
We will ask you to complete a short assessment when you are enrolled.
If we feel that we need to signpost you to a more appropriate course we will contact you to discuss this further and refund your fees.
The only course that does not require an assessment is the GCSE Biology.
What level is the GCSE Maths / GCSE Numeracy and can I get a grade C?
The intermediate paper will allow you to achieve a grade E to B.
If your tutor feels you have the potential to achieve higher than a grade B, they will discuss the opportunity of entering you for the higher tier paper.
What is the difference between the GCSE Maths and the GCSE Numeracy?
GCSE Mathematics-Numeracy will assess the mathematics that you will need and use in everyday life and the world of work.
GCSE Mathematics will extend to aspects of mathematics needed for progression to scientific, technical or further mathematical study.
If you have a particular progression route in mind, you should check what their specific requirements may be.
I would like to apply for the GCSE Welsh (Second Language) course. Is this course suitable for someone with a limited understanding of the Welsh language?
A good understanding of basic Welsh is required. We will ask you to complete a short assessment before you are enrolled. This will help us to signpost you to the course that's right for you.
I would like to do my GCSE course online - what equipment will I need?
You will need access to a PC, laptop or chromebook and you will need a reliable internet connection. Your device needs to have a webcam, microphone and speaker to allow you to engage fully in the lesson.
You will still need to attend a campus to sit key assessments and final exams, therefore you must live within travelling distance of a GLLM campus.
I am interested in the GCSE Biology, is this available online?
No. This course requires practical elements to be completed and these are only available on campus.
I still have a question about the GCSEs, is there somebody I can talk to?
Please contact Advice and Guidance to discuss your query further.
I have applied and paid for an online GCSE course that starts in September. When will I receive more information about start dates and times and how will I access the course?
You will be contacted directly by your tutor who will advise you of all the information you need prior to starting the course. It is very important that we have your email address as this is how the tutor will send you the information that you need.
Is it possible to sit GCSE as an external candidate without attending the course?
No, we do not accept external candidates for GCSEs. To be able to sit any GCSE exams at the college, you must enrol on the course.
I’m looking to study a GCSE online, where would I sit the exam?
At the start of your course, your tutor will ask you to tell them which campus you would like to sit the exam at. You will be able to choose the campus local to where you live. You can choose from: Bangor, Dolgellau, Glynllifon, Llangefni, Pwllheli, Rhos on Sea, Rhyl
Is there a closing date to apply for GCSE courses?
Once a course is full, or the start date has passed, the course will be removed from the website.
GCSEs
