LNF Cymru Literacy and numeracy for Wales

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GCSE Cymraeg Language and Literature

GCSE Cymraeg Language and Literature is a first-language literacy qualification: learners analyse a novel, short stories, poems and a film, read and summarise unseen texts, write in many forms, and are assessed on group discussion and an individual researched presentation. WJEC maps no numeracy to any unit, so there are no numeracy skills here. The single biggest thing Key Stage 3 should build is close, evaluative reading of Cymraeg literature backed by purposeful quotation and accurate Cymraeg, including mutations and verb forms.

First taught
September 2025
Amount of literacy work
High
Amount of numeracy work
Low
Specification
Open the WJEC specification (PDF)
How this GCSE is assessed
  • Unit 1: Narrative: Written examination 1 hour 30 minutes, 30% of the Single Award (15% of the Double Award), 60 marks
  • Unit 2: Identity: Non-examination assessment, group discussion in threes up to 15 minutes on a visual text, 20% of the Single Award (10% of the Double Award), 40 marks, marked by the centre and moderated by WJEC
  • Unit 3: Attitudes: Non-examination assessment, poetry appreciation and comparison (500 to 1,500 words) and individual oral presentation (up to 5 minutes), 20% of the Single Award (10% of the Double Award), 60 marks, marked by the centre and moderated by WJEC
  • Unit 4a: Linguistic Connections (Single Award only): Written examination 1 hour 30 minutes, 30%, 60 marks
  • Unit 4b: Linguistic Connections (Double Award only): Written examination 2 hours, 22.5%, 90 marks
  • Unit 5: Respond and Create (Double Award only): Non-examination assessment, group discussion up to 10 minutes and creative writing task (500 to 1,000 words, maximum 3 hours), 20%, 60 marks, marked by the centre and moderated by WJEC
  • Unit 6: Communicating Meaning (Double Award only): Written examination 1 hour 30 minutes, 22.5%, 60 marks

Skills that use Questioning

  1. Group discussion analysing a film and identity

    Assessed: In coursework (non-examination assessment, NEA)

    Unit 2 is a group discussion of up to 15 minutes in threes on how a visual text of at least an hour creates identity, analysing plot, character, theme, dialogue and film techniques such as camera work, music, lighting and costume.

    Literacy: Collaborative talk, Questioning, Understanding, response and analysis, Purpose

    Getting pupils ready

    Year 7
    In threes, pupils watch a short clip of an S4C drama and discuss how the music and lighting change the mood.
    Year 8
    Pupils hold a ten-minute group discussion on how a character in a Cymraeg film shows their identity, each bringing one scene reference to the group.
    Year 9
    Pupils hold a recorded 15-minute discussion in threes on identity in a full-length Cymraeg film, using one side of A4 bullet points and film terms.
    Show the specification wording and the LNF statements

    Where it is in the specification: Unit 2, Sections 2.1.1 to 2.1.3, page 14

    “demonstrate that they are able to engage in spoken activities with others in order to appreciate visual text and confirm a viewpoint”
    Progression step 3

    • I can contribute to group discussion in different roles, taking responsibility for completing the task well.

    • I can ask and answer questions, building on and developing the ideas of others in group discussions.

    • I can collate and make connections, e.g. prioritising, categorising, between information and ideas from different sources including digital and audio-visual texts.

    Progression step 4

    • I can undertake a range of responsibilities to structure and develop group talk, including in more formal situations.

    • I can sustain a convincing point of view, anticipating and responding to other perspectives.

    • I can compare and contrast themes and issues across a range of texts including digital and audio-visual texts.

    Progression step 5

    • I can use a range of options and strategies to enable the group to progress and reach consensus.

    • I can organise talk effectively to critically evaluate and respond to what I have heard, read or seen.

    • I can confidently compare and contrast themes and ideas in a range of texts, including digital and audio-visual texts, exploring how they vary in purpose and effect.

Good to know

Links with other GCSEs

The only number work is optional use of statistics in the Unit 3 presentation, so numeracy support is best left to other subjects.

Source: WJEC GCSE Cymraeg Language and Literature (Single and Double Award) specification, Version 6, for Year 10 cohort starting September 2026 onwards, first award from 2028.