GCSE Cymraeg Language and Literature
The digital demand sits almost entirely in the NEA units: analysing film techniques in a visual text, preparing a word-processed one-page notes sheet, researching a theme and judging the reliability of sources, and presenting with images. Typing the Double Award creative piece is allowed but optional, and all examinations are written. The biggest thing KS3 should build is independent research in Cymraeg with clear judgements about source reliability and proper citation.
- Awarding body
- WJEC
- Level
- Level 1 and Level 2
- First taught
- September 2025
- Amount of digital work
- Medium
- Specification
- Open the specification
How this qualification is assessed
- Unit 1: Narrative: Written examination 1 hour 30 minutes, 30% of Single Award (15% of Double Award), 60 marks
- Unit 2: Identity: Non-examination assessment, group discussion of up to 15 minutes on a visual text, set by WJEC, marked by the centre and moderated by WJEC, 20% of Single Award (10% of Double Award), 40 marks
- Unit 3: Attitudes: Non-examination assessment, written poetry task (500 to 1,500 words) and individual researched presentation (up to 5 minutes), set by WJEC, marked by the centre and moderated by WJEC, 20% of Single Award (10% of Double Award), 60 marks
- 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, up to 3 hours), set by WJEC, marked by the centre and moderated by WJEC, 20%, 60 marks
- Unit 6: Communicating Meaning (Double Award only): Written examination 1 hour 30 minutes, 22.5%, 60 marks
Skills that use Communication
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Writing news, press and email texts for different audiences, and proofreading
Units 4a and 4b writing tasks draw on forms including newspaper reports, news bulletins, press releases and emails. Learners must also proofread, correct and translate short texts.
DCF: Communication, Creating digital content
Getting pupils ready
- Year 7
- Pupils write a short Cymraeg email in Outlook inviting a visitor to school, with a clear subject line, greeting and sign-off.
- Year 8
- Pupils turn a school event into a 100-word press release in Word with a headline, date and quote, then record it on an iPad as a radio news bulletin.
- Year 9
- Pupils write the same story as a formal newspaper report and an informal email to a friend, then proofread a partner's version with track changes on.
Show the specification wording and the DCF statements
Where it is in the specification: Unit 4a, Section 4.1.3, page 18; Unit 4b, Section 4.1.3, page 20
“news bulletin • press release • diary • email”
Progression step 3
I can show an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of different forms of communication and when it is appropriate to use each, e.g. explain when video conferencing may be more appropriate than e-mail, and vice versa; explain the pros and cons of using instant messaging in social contexts; talk about purpose and audience.
I can use a range of software to select, produce and edit a range of multimedia components for a purpose, such as:
- text and images, e.g. format text (bold, underline, italics, highlight); insert and edit text boxes; columns; use refine tools (spellchecker, find and replace); word wrap; crop; alter size and shape; alter images; add effects; trim and split sound and video clips; transitions; onion skin
- presentation, e.g. page orientation; animations; transitions; remove and alter images; use background; use action buttons to create hyperlink; embed objects.
Progression step 4
I can explore and develop a range of formal text document structures for different audiences and purposes.
I can select and use different online communication tools for specific purposes with higher levels of competence, e.g. set up and manage an address book, organise contacts, use advanced features of e-mail provider (signature, auto reply, read receipt, widgets).
Progression step 5
I can create formal text documents for a professional audience, incorporating the use of collaborative review tools into activities.
I can make use of and reflect on available online communication services for specific purposes, justifying selections made based on their appropriateness for delivery of information.
Good to know
- Notes for the Unit 2 discussion and the Unit 3 written task are capped at one side of A4: "up to one side of an A4 page containing short bullet points (size 11 font or above)" (Section 3.2, pages 28 and 30).
- Unit 3 Task 1 allows reference tools, but the specification does not say whether print or digital: "Learners should be allowed to use dictionaries/thesaurus when completing the task." (Section 3.2, Unit 3, page 30).
- Unit 3 Task 1 is individual work: "Candidates are not permitted to consult each other." (Section 3.2, Unit 3, page 30).
- The Unit 3 presentation must not be read out, so text-heavy slides do not help: "ensure that the learner does not read their presentation" (Section 3.2, Unit 3 Task 2, page 30).
- Typing the Unit 5 creative writing is optional: "Learners are allowed to complete the task electronically." (Section 3.2, Unit 5, page 31).
- Unit 5 stimuli are printed, not digital: "A group discussion based on printed stimulus materials" (Unit 5, page 21).
- Unit 2 is recorded for moderation, but the specification does not say who makes the recording: "The page must be submitted with the recording of the assessment task." (Section 3.2, Unit 2, page 28).
- Use of digital technology is a learning experience only: "the experiences will not be directly assessed" (Opportunities for integration of learning experiences, page 25).
- The specification does not mention AI or internet rules for the NEAs; these fall under malpractice rules: "Candidates must not take part in any unfair practice in the preparation of work for GCSE Cymraeg Language and Literature." (Section 4, page 32).
Links with other qualifications
WJEC's Appendix A (page 39) ticks Digital Competence Citizenship for every unit and Interacting and Collaborating for Units 2, 3 and 5, but not Producing or Data and Computational Thinking; the film analysis overlaps with Digital Media and Film, and the researched presentation and source checking overlap with History.
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.