Introduction to Department
Welsh is one of the oldest Celtic languages and is alive and kicking at Ysgol Bryn Elian. We are a vibrant Department, who make learning Welsh a fun and enjoyable experience.
Pupils at Ysgol Bryn Elian learn Welsh as a Second Language and we stress to our pupils on a daily basis how important being bilingual is in today’s world.
We aim to teach Welsh though a variety of teaching methods and deliver the 4 skills required in the subject – reading, writing, speaking and listening, though various teaching style.
The Welsh Department is also responsible for the School Eisteddfod with all KS3 pupils competing in a fun packed day.
Staffing & Responsibilities
Staff MemberDepartmental ResponsibilityAdditional ResponsibilityMiss A. WatersHead of Department
Teacher of WelshMiss H. WaySecond in Charge
Teacher of WelshMrs D. HughesTeacher of WelshMiss E. WilliamsTeacher of WelshLearning ManagerAbout KS3
Welsh at KS3 builds a solid foundation of language skills, and develops pupils’ understanding of a wide variety of sentence structures and vocabulary. We aim to ensure that all learners develop the ability and confidence to communicate effectively orally; respond to a wide range of reading materials; and produce clear and accurate writing for a variety of purposes and audiences.
Topics Studied:
Year 7
Ysgol – School
Anifeiliaid – Animals
Byd Gwaith – World of Work
Chwedlau Cymraeg – Welsh Myths
Year 8
Fy Ardal – My Area
Gwyliau – Holidays
Technoleg a’r Cyfryngau – Technology and Media
Year 9
Bwyd a Bwyta’n Iach – Food and Healthy Eating
Amser Hamdden – Leisure Time
Delwedd – Image
Cymru a Chymreictod – Wales and Welshness
These topics are taught using various teaching methods and resources. The department makes use of many online Welsh language resources such as HWB, as well as magazines like IAW.
Pupils at KS3 participate in the school’s annual Eisteddfod and have the opportunity to compete in singing, dancing, and writing competitions through the medium of Welsh.
The department is also very active with the Urdd; there are annual trips to Glan-llyn, and numerous opportunities for teams to compete in the Urdd’s sporting competitions.
About KS4
Studying the Welsh Second Language GCSE course will provide experiences for pupils that will allow them to reach their full potential in Welsh. The pupils will become aware of the use made of the Welsh language in contemporary Wales by fostering a positive attitude towards the language and the culture. Pupils’ skills will be developed in order to allow them to communicate effectively and purposefully in their everyday lives, and to compete on a level playing field in the world of work in the bilingual society of the 21st century.
This GCSE specification in Welsh second language will enable candidates to:
Understand and use the language for a variety of purposes and audiences.
Develop language learning skills and strategies in order to enable candidates to communicate and interact confidently and spontaneously in relevant situations and specified context.
Develop language learning skills and strategies to enable candidates to develop their grasp of Welsh further.
Develop listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in an integrated manner, emphasising listening and speaking skills.
Use Welsh in further studies, in the workplace and in their communities.
Develop curiosity about the Welsh language.
Course Content
The qualification is made up of four units: Unit 1 and Unit 2 are non-examination speaking and listening assessments; Unit 3 and Unit 4 are reading and writing examinations. The course is suitable for teaching over two years within 120 guided learning hours.
The context for learning the language is organised under three broad themes:
Employment
Wales and the World
Youth
Assessment
Unit 1
Oracy - Communicate with others
Non-examination assessment: 6 – 8 minutes (pair) 9 – 12 minutes (Group of three) 25% of qualification 50 marks
A task for a pair / group of three based on a visual stimuli provided by the WJEC to stimulate discussion. The assessment will consist of two parts which are to be carried out in the following order:
watch a visual clip (twice) and fill in a sheet while listening to the stimulus
discussion between the pair/group of three on what was watched.
Unit 2
Oracy - response to visual material
Non-examination assessment: 6 – 8 minutes (pair) 9 – 12 minutes (Group of three) 25% of qualification 50 marks
1 task (20%) listening (5%) listening
A task for a pair/ group of three based on a visual stimuli provided by the WJEC to stimulate discussion.
About KS5
There are three units at AS level and three further units at A level:
Unit 1 is an oral examination with candidates assessed in groups discussing the film studied during the course.
Unit 2 will be an internal assessment of coursework and candidates will be required to create a project based portfolio that includes at least four different extended written forms.
A written examination to assess Unit 3 and the paper will be assessed in two parts: a series of language excercises: and an essay question relating to the poetry studied throughout the course.
Unit 4 is an oral examination discussing a set play and also includes a synoptic assessment.
Unit 5 is a written examination divided into two sections. Section A is a question based on the study of four short stories carried out during the year and Section B is a Translanguaging question where pupils will write a factual article in Welsh based on information that they read in English.
Changing the world, one site at a time…
