What is GCSE Core Cymraeg?

GCSE Core Cymraeg is a modern Welsh language qualification designed for learners educated primarily through English who want to develop practical confidence in using Cymraeg for everyday communication and cultural engagement. The qualification is part of the Made‑for‑Wales suite of GCSEs and supports the Curriculum for Wales by helping students learn Welsh in meaningful social, cultural and real‑world contexts.

Parent and Student Summary

Why this course matters:

• Supports development of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in Welsh.

• Emphasises real‑world communication and cultural understanding.

• Enables students to engage confidently in Welsh‑medium environments, socially and for future opportunities.

• Prepares learners for further study and lifelong use of Cymraeg in Wales and beyond.

What students will do:

• Use Welsh in interactive oral tasks, responding to stimuli and communicating with others.

• Listen to, interpret and respond to spoken and written Welsh in varied contexts.

• Develop written Welsh skills across a range of purposes, including creative and analytical writing.

• Explore Welsh culture, identity and contexts through language learning.

Qualification Structure and Weightings

GCSE Core Cymraeg is composed of four units, each contributing equally to the final qualification:

Unit	Title	Assessment Type	Weighting
Unit 1	Responding to a Visual Stimulus	Non‑examined oral and listening task	25%
Unit 2	Responding to Various Sources	Non‑examined oral and listening task	25%
Unit 3	Preparing for the Future	Written examination (reading, writing)	25%
Unit 4	Literature and Creative	Written examination (reading, literature, creative writing)	25%

All units must be taken together, and the overall qualification is graded on a single scale.

Unit 1: Responding to a Visual Stimulus (25%)

Assessment: Non‑examined assessment in pairs or groups.
Learners are given a short visual stimulus (e.g., images, video clip) and 10 minutes to prepare before responding orally.
Students will:

• Listen to the visual material and analyse key points.

• Discuss content and ideas in Welsh with peers.

• Express opinions and justify responses using appropriate language structures.

Skills developed: spontaneous oral communication, listening comprehension, interactive discussion.

Unit 2: Responding to Various Sources (25%)

Assessment: Non‑examined oral and listening task in pairs or groups.
Students discuss and respond to written or mixed source material provided during the assessment.
Students will:

• Interpret written and visual prompts.

• Engage in purposeful Welsh discussion on familiar contexts.

• Provide justified viewpoints in Welsh.

Skills developed: responsive language use, critical listening, extended oral expression.

Unit 3: Preparing for the Future (25%)

Assessment: Written examination (1 hour 30 minutes).
Learners demonstrate comprehension and written expression across a range of tasks.
Students will:

• Read and understand various Welsh texts.

• Write in descriptive, informative and analytical styles.

• Translate short passages and apply vocabulary and grammar knowledge.

Skills developed: reading for meaning, structured writing, translanguage awareness.

Unit 4: Literature and Creative (25%)

Assessment: Written examination (1 hour 30 minutes).
Learners respond to set literary texts and produce creative written pieces.
Students will:

• Analyse literature such as short stories and poems.

• Produce creative writing in Welsh for specific audiences and purposes.

• Connect cultural and linguistic understanding through text interpretation.

Skills developed: literary analysis, imaginative writing, critical interpretation.

Core Skills Across the Qualification

Learners will develop:

• Effective oral communication and confident use of Welsh.

• Listening comprehension across spoken and multimedia contexts.

• Reading skills for understanding diverse Welsh texts.

• Writing proficiency for clarity, creativity and purpose.

• Cultural understanding of Welsh contexts, identity and community.

How This Course Helps Students

GCSE Core Cymraeg:

• Equips students with practical language skills relevant to everyday life, learning and work in Wales.

• Reinforces confidence in speaking and writing Welsh in real‑world interactions.

• Supports progression to post‑16 language study, including new AS/A levels in Cymraeg or Core Cymraeg.

• Encourages understanding of Welsh culture, heritage and communication in contemporary contexts.

 

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