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Welsh

Abigail Rees

Head of Welsh

”Welsh is of this soil, this island, the senior language of the men of Britain: and Welsh is beautiful. - J.R.R.Tolkien

Why is Welsh Important?

Wales is a multi-lingual country and it is therefore useful for children to grow up using its native language. Many jobs are only available to candidates that can speak Welsh as well as English. Even people who do not speak Welsh in work will find that, whilst living in Wales, having a basic knowledge of Welsh is helpful. Road signs are often written in Welsh, transport announcements are given in Welsh first and it is easier to engage with people if you have a basic grasp of the country’s language. Teaching Welsh as part of the National Curriculum of Wales is important as it keeps the language alive, and this is important for the nation’s cultural identity. As a school we are proud to be Welsh. As a department we are lucky to be supported by the school and staff to promote both the Welsh language and Welsh culture. We embrace our Nationality by ensuring that there are opportunities to use and celebrate the Welsh language and Welsh culture outside of the classroom. We do this by:

  • Using bi-lingual signage around the school building.
  • Providing subject specific Welsh terminology across all departments.
  • Introducing a Welsh word or phrase of the week within tutor time.
  • Encouraging the use of incidental Welsh across the school.
  • Providing Welsh language support and training for staff, parents and carers.
  • Celebrating Welsh culture by holding an annual Eisteddfod, which is popular amongst both pupils and staff.
  • Holding Welsh language transition days with feeder Primary Schools.
  • Having a Welsh Committee which is made up of staff and pupils from both key stage 3 and 4.
  • Whole school celebrations of Welsh cultural events such as St David’s day and ‘Diwrnod Shwmae’.
  • Whole school assemblies to celebrate Welsh culture and heritage.

What Will I Learn At Key Stage 3?

Pupils study a variety of topics, which can be found listed below. Each topic will cover relevant language patterns and sentence structures which include:

  1. A detailed personal introduction.
  2. The expression of opinions using a variety of language patterns and adjectives.
  3. Use of the 3rd person.
  4. Use of the past tense.
  5. Use of the future tense.
  6. Making comparisons.
  7. Agreeing and disagreeing with the opinions of others.

We aim to allow the pupils to develop confidence and the required skills in writing, reading and speaking through the medium of Welsh. This will prepare them for the requirements of the GCSE course they will follow during Key Stage 4.

What Topics Are Covered At Key Stage 3?

Year 7

  1. Fy Hunan / Myself
  2. Ddisgrifiadau / Descriptions
  3. Anifeiliaid anwes / Pets
  4. Hobiau / Hobbies
  5. Ffilm a Theledu / Film and Television
  6. Yr Ardal Lleol – The Local Area

Year 8

  1. Gwyliau / Holidays
  2. Arian Poced / Pocket Money
  3. Y Cartref / The Home
  4. Yr Ysgol / School
  5. Bwyd a Diod / Food and Drink
  6. Newid Amser a Pherson / Changing Tenses and Person

Year 9

  1. Ffasiwn / Fashion
  2. Cerddoriaeth / Music
  3. Ddisgrifiadau / Descriptions
  4. Diddordebau / Interests
  5. Ddoe, Heddiw ac Yfori / Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
  6. Mynegi Barn / Expressing opinions

How Will I Be Assessed At Key Stage 3?

Students learning will be monitored using formative assessment, and ongoing feedback will be provided. This will be done through:

  1. Regular marking of books using the whole school marking sheets.
  2. In-class recap exercises and quizzes.
  3. In class questioning.

Students progress will be assessed using summative assessment at the end of each topic. This will be done by the pupils completing a written assessment, a reading assessment and speaking assessment at the end of each half term. Success criterions are given to support the pupil to ensure they include the required information. Work is marked and levelled, with detailed feedback being given. Pupils also have the opportunity to self assess their work using a structured rubric. This allows them to improve their own learning, and understand how they can make further progress.

What Will I Learn At Key Stage 4?

Key stage 4 pupils will be given the opportunity to build upon their knowledge of the Welsh language gained in KS3. They do this by expanding upon language patterns, terminology, study skills and revision techniques. The work completed and resources provided prepare them fully for the GCSE course requirements. The WJEC GCSE specification in Welsh second language will enable students to:

  1. Understand and use the language for a variety of purposes and audiences.
  2. Develop language learning skills and strategies in order to enable them to communicate and interact confidently and spontaneously in relevant situations and specified context.
  3. Develop language learning skills and strategies to enable them to grasp Welsh further.
  4. Develop listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in an integrated manner, emphasising listening and speaking skills.
  5. Use Welsh in further studies, in the work place and in their communities.
  6. Develop curiosity about the Welsh language.

Unit 1: Oral response to visual stimulus Non-examination assessment : 6 – 8 minutes (pair) 8 – 10 minutes (group of three) 25% of the qualification 50 marks 1 task Speaking (10%) Listening (15%) A task for a pair/ group of three based on visual stimuli provided by WJEC to stimulate discussion. The assessment will consist of two parts conducted in the following order:

  1. watch a visual clip (approximately 2 minutes) twice and fill in a related sheet
  2. discussion between the pair/group of three on what was watched.

Learners are not permitted to use dictionaries or any other resources in any part of the assessment.

Unit 2: Communicating with other people

Non-examination assessment :

6 – 8 minutes (pair) 8 – 10 minutes (group of three) 25% of the qualification 50 marks 1 task

Speaking (20%) Listening (5%) A discussion in pairs/groups of three based on triggers such as a combination of graphs, pictures and short reading texts provided by WJEC.

Learners are not permitted to use dictionaries or any other resources in any part of the assessment.

Unit 3: Narrative, specific and instructional Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes 25% of the qualification 100 marks

Reading (15%) Writing (10%)

Reading tasks with non-verbal and written responses, including one translation task from English to Welsh and one proof reading task and writing tasks. Learners are not permitted to use dictionaries or any other resources in any part of the assessment.

Unit 4: Descriptive, creative and imaginative Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes 25% of the qualification 100 marks

Reading (10%)

Writing (15%)

Reading tasks with non-verbal and written responses and writing tasks.

Learners are not permitted to use dictionaries or any other resources in any part of the assessment.

What Topics Are Covered At Key Stage 4?

The context for learning the Welsh language is organised under three broad themes:

  1. Employment
  2. Wales and the World
  3. Youth

Pupils will be required to cover the following areas:

  1. Listening: understand and respond to different types of spoken language
    1. demonstrate an understanding of spoken language by one or more speakers in public and social situations, for example, conversations, presentations, news reports and television programmes;
    2. understand the main message, main points, specific details and different perspectives communicated verbally in long and short pieces. Speaking: communicate and interact effectively in speech
    3. communicate and interact spontaneously and effectively for different purposes, including conveying information, expressing and justifying opinion, and asking and answering questions;
    4. use a range of strategies to support and sustain effective communication, including asking questions to clarify meaning and eliciting information;
    5. hold conversations and discussions making extended contributions and combining a variety of sentences and language patterns;
    6. use language patterns listed in the Language Requirements;
      1. use different verb tenses;
      2. modify language appropriately for different audiences and a range of situations, using appropriate register, clear pronunciation and appropriate intonation. Reading: understand and respond to different types of written language
    7. understand and respond to written language in different forms written for a variety of purposes and audiences, including correspondence, articles, online information, marketing materials, literary texts, diagrammatic information, public information and instructions
    8. understand the main message, main points, specific details and different perspectives in a variety of long and short, simple and complex written texts, using different verb tenses;
    9. discern meaning within a variety of long and short written texts, including some relating to abstract topics, unfamiliar material and some more complex language, interpreting implied meaning where appropriate;
    10. scan for specific information within extended and multi-format written material. Writing: communicate in writing
    11. write effectively for different purposes;
    12. write accurately using simple and familiar sentences, language patterns and vocabulary to convey meaning and information effectively;
    13. write in an extended and coherent manner in order to convey facts, ideas and perspectives for different audiences and purposes, including descriptive and narrative writing, persuasive and instructional, creative and imaginative, critical / expressing opinions;
    14. use a range of different written forms, for example letters, e-mails, articles, diaries, posters, stories and blogs;
    15. use language patterns listed in the Language Requirements;
    16. use different verb tenses;
    17. make creative use of language, varying and adapting vocabulary and language patterns, style and register intentionally for different purposes;
    18. modify language appropriately, including language and register, for different audiences and a range of situations;
    19. translate short and simple texts from English to Welsh in order to convey the main message and meaning, using language accurately.

How Will I Be Assessed At Key Stage 4?

Students learning will be monitored using formative assessment, and ongoing feedback will be provided. This will be done through:

  1. Regular marking of books using the whole school marking sheets.
  2. In-class recap exercises and quizzes.
  3. In class questioning. The GCSE qualification has two external assessments, which are weighted equally and two internal assessment units.

The two external assessment units test reading and writing skills, while the two internal assessment units test oral and listening skills.

What Facilities Does The Department Have?

Our department is well resourced, and provides support materials and study aids throughout both Key stage 3 and 4.

What Extra Curricular Activities Are There?

Welsh Club is held for KS3 pupils. This provides an opportunity to socialise through the medium of Welsh. It also provides fantastic opportunities to improve Welsh language speaking skills, in preparation for the GCSE qualification. We also encourage pupils to become members of the Welsh Committee, which promotes the Welsh ethos within the school and local community.