This new GCSE specification in Welsh second language will enable our learners to:
- understand and use the language for a variety of purposes and audiences
- develop language learning skills and strategies in order to enable learners to communicate and interact confidently and spontaneously in relevant situations and specified context
- develop language learning skills and strategies to enable learners to develop their grasp of Welsh further
- develop listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in an integrated manner, emphasising on listening and speaking skills
- use Welsh in further studies, in the workplace and in their communities
- develop curiosity about the Welsh language.
This qualification has two external assessment units which are weighted equally and two internal assessment units. The two external assessment tests reading and writing skills while the two internal assessment unit tests oral and listening skills.
The context for learning the language is organised under three broad themes:
- WALES AND THE WORLD
When studying this qualification learners will be required to cover the following areas:
Listening: understand and respond to different types of spoken language
- 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;
- 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
- communicate and interact spontaneously and effectively for different purposes, including conveying information, expressing and justifying opinion, and asking and answering questions;
- use a range of strategies to support and sustain effective communication, including asking questions to clarify meaning and eliciting information;
- hold conversations and discussions making extended contributions and combining a variety of sentences and language patterns;
- use simple language patterns accurately;
- use different verb tenses;
- 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
- 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
- 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;
- 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;
- scan for specific information within extended and multi-format written material.
Writing: communicate in writing
- write effectively for different purposes;
- write accurately using simple and familiar sentences, language patterns and vocabulary to convey meaning and information effectively;
- write in an extended and coherent manner in order to convey facts, ideas and perspectives for different audiences and purposes, including descriptive and report writing, persuasive and instructional, creative and imaginative, critical / expressing opinions;
- use a range of different written forms, for example letters, e-mails, articles, diaries, posters, stories and blogs;
- use different verb tenses;
- make creative use of language, varying and adapting vocabulary and language patterns, style and register intentionally for different purposes;
- modify language appropriately, including language and register, for different audiences and a range of situations;
- translate short and simple texts from English to Welsh in order to convey the main message and meaning, using language accurately.