Assessing Proficiency in Reading and Writing Welsh

In 2004 the Basic Skills Agency commissioned Beaufort Research to conduct a survey of Welsh speaking adults across Wales to assess their reading and writing proficiency. Prior to this survey, no such surveys had been conducted on the Welsh language (despite a number of surveys being conducted on literacy and numeracy in the English language).

The research universe was defined as Welsh speaking adults between the ages of 16-64 year old. Within each Welsh region, quotas were set on age within gender, on ability to speak Welsh and on working status.

Headline results
Entry Level 1 Literacy 5%
Entry Level 2 Literacy 18%
Entry Level 3 Literacy 17%
Level 1 Literacy 22%
Level 2 Literacy 37%

The target level of achievement for the National Basic Skills Strategy is Level 1.