Cardiff West Community High School

Languages

Welsh Second Language 

Key Stage 3 – Cardiff West Community High School

At Cardiff West Community High School, our Welsh Second Language programme offers students the opportunity to explore and embrace the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of Wales. We aim to build confidence in using the Welsh language for everyday communication, while fostering an appreciation for its role in Welsh identity and society.

Our Curriculum

Our Key Stage 3 Welsh curriculum is designed to be inclusive, engaging, and practical. Students develop their language skills through a variety of interactive and creative activities, including:

•🗣️ Speaking and Listening

Building confidence through conversation, role-play, and presentations in Welsh.

•📖 Reading for Understanding

Exploring short stories, articles, and cultural texts to develop comprehension and vocabulary.

• ✍️ Writing Skills

Creating personal profiles, letters, and short narratives using key sentence patterns and structures.

• 🎭 Cultural Exploration

Learning about Welsh traditions, festivals, music, and places to deepen cultural awareness.

• 🎲 Games and Challenges

Reinforcing learning through fun activities such as quizzes, word games, and team tasks.

• 📚 Literary Highlights

Introducing learners to accessible Welsh literature and poetry to inspire curiosity and enjoyment.

Our Goals

• Enable students to communicate confidently in Welsh across a range of contexts.

• Promote bilingualism and cultural pride.

• Prepare learners for continued success at Key Stage 4 and beyond.

Welsh Second Language

Key Stage 4 – Cardiff West Community High School

At Cardiff West Community High School, our Key Stage 4 Welsh Second Language programme builds on the strong foundations established in earlier years, supporting learners as they develop the confidence and skills needed to use Welsh in real‑life situations. We aim to empower students to communicate clearly and effectively, while deepening their understanding of the language’s importance within Welsh culture, identity, and modern society.

Studying Welsh at KS4 not only prepares learners for GCSE qualifications but also equips them with valuable bilingual skills that are increasingly sought after in education, employment, and community life across Wales.

📘 Our Curriculum

Our Key Stage 4 curriculum is structured to develop proficiency across the four key skill areas assessed at GCSE. Students engage in a wide range of purposeful and relevant learning experiences, including:

• 🗣️ Speaking

Building confidence through discussions, role‑play, interviews, and real‑world communication tasks.

• 👂 Listening

Understanding spoken Welsh in a variety of contexts, including conversations, announcements, and media clips.

• 📖 Reading

Interpreting and analysing a range of texts such as articles, advertisements, emails, and short stories.

• ✍️ Writing

Producing accurate and meaningful written Welsh for different purposes, including expressing opinions, describing experiences, and responding to formal and informal tasks.

 

🎭 Themes and Contexts

Learners explore a variety of engaging and relevant themes that reflect life in contemporary Wales, such as:

• Welsh identity, culture, and traditions

• Youth issues and lifestyle

• The environment and global challenges

• Education, work, and future pathways

• Media, technology, and communication

These themes help students apply their language skills to meaningful, real‑world situations.

🎯 Our Goals

• Enable students to communicate confidently and accurately in Welsh across a range of contexts.

• Promote bilingualism and pride in Welsh culture and identity.

• Equip learners with transferable communication skills valued by employers and colleges.

•Prepare students thoroughly for GCSE Welsh Second Language assessments and future study.

 

Key Stage 5 – Cardiff West Community High School

At Cardiff West Community High School, our Key Stage 5 Welsh Second Language programme offers learners the opportunity to develop advanced language skills, deepen cultural understanding, and engage critically with the role of Welsh in contemporary society. Students refine their ability to communicate with accuracy, sophistication, and confidence, preparing them for further study, employment, and active participation in a bilingual Wales.

Studying Welsh at KS5 provides learners with a strong academic foundation, enhances their analytical and communication skills, and opens pathways into a wide range of careers where bilingualism is a valuable asset.

📘 Our Curriculum

The Key Stage 5 curriculum challenges students to use Welsh with increasing independence, fluency, and precision. Learners explore a range of linguistic, cultural, and contemporary themes through:

• 🗣️ Advanced Speaking Skills

Participating in structured discussions, debates, presentations, and independent research tasks to develop confident, articulate spoken Welsh.

• 👂 Listening and Responding

Engaging with authentic Welsh media, interviews, broadcasts, and conversations to strengthen comprehension and interpretive skills.

• 📖 Critical Reading

Analysing a variety of texts, including articles, reports, literary extracts, and contemporary writing, to develop deeper understanding and critical insight.

•✍️ Extended Writing

Producing well‑structured, accurate, and thoughtful written responses for a range of purposes, including essays, evaluations, and creative tasks.

 

🎭 Themes and Areas of Study

Learners explore a broad and stimulating range of topics that reflect life in modern Wales and the wider world, such as:

• Welsh culture, identity, and heritage

• Social issues affecting young people

• Politics, citizenship, and contemporary debates

• Media, technology, and communication

• The changing world of work

• Literature and creative expression in Welsh

These themes encourage students to apply their language skills to complex, real‑world issues and to develop informed personal viewpoints.

 

🎯 Our Goals

• Develop confident, fluent, and independent Welsh speakers and writers.

• Foster a deep appreciation of Welsh culture, identity, and contemporary society.

• Equip learners with high‑level communication and analytical skills valued by universities and employers.

• Prepare students for success in A‑Level assessments and future academic or professional pathways.

Spanish 

Spanish is based on your ability to listen, respond effectively, present and discuss your ideas and opinions in both written and spoken forms. Spanish is interesting, exciting and enjoyable!

You will learn by: -

  • Acquiring new vocabulary in a variety of topics such as social media and holidays 
  • Learning and applying a variety of grammatical constructions and different tenses 
  • Listening to Spanish native speakers, music and watching movies or TV programmes
  • Speaking Spanish to friends, family, to real Spanish people and on trips/holidays

GCSE Spanish will help you: -

  • Develop an understanding of the Hispanic world, culture and way of life
  • Utilise vital communication skills to support your wider studies
  • Focus on producing high quality writing and oracy work in the target language

Recommended entry requirements: -

  • Ability to speak and write in basic Spanish, French or Welsh (This is achieved through classroom-based practice in year 7,8,9)
  • You should have achieved a minimum of point 8 on the language progress continuum.

What can you do with this subject after GCSE

You could continue your study of another language at 6th form or college. You could apply your knowledge to support further study of languages, communication-based subjects or the travel and tourism fields.

Career Paths – Linguist, translator, interpreter, tour guide, airport staff, cabin crew, communications roles, international business person, trader, sales person, diplomatic service, international traveller, holiday representative, teacher, entertainer, hotel employee.