WJEC GCSE Welsh Second Language specification (3020)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your WJEC GCSE Welsh Second Language exam. It lays out exactly what you need to learn, how you'll be assessed, and what skills the examiners seek. Whether you're working through the course for the first time or revising for your final exams, the specification helps you stay focused and confident in your preparation.
We've included helpful revision tools to support you in putting the specification into practice. Wherever you're starting from, you'll find everything you need to feel prepared, from the official specification to high-quality resources designed to help you succeed.
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In the next section, you'll find a simplified summary of the official WJEC GCSE Welsh Second Language specification, along with a breakdown of key topics, assessment structure, and useful study resources. We've also included links to topic-level guides and revision tools to help you put the specification into practice.
Contents
Disclaimer
This page includes a summary of the official WJEC GCSE Welsh Second Language (3020) specification, provided to support your revision. While we've made every effort to ensure accuracy, Save My Exams is not affiliated with the awarding body.
For the most complete and up-to-date information, we strongly recommend consulting the official WJEC specification PDF.
Specification overview
The WJEC GCSE in Welsh Second Language enables learners to understand, speak, read and write in Welsh for a variety of purposes and audiences. It aims to develop confidence, spontaneity and grammatical accuracy in using the language. Emphasis is placed on listening and speaking skills while fostering the ability to express opinions, respond to different contexts and translate between English and Welsh. The course also promotes curiosity about the Welsh language and supports further study, employment, and active participation in the Welsh-speaking community:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}.
Subject content breakdown
Broad Themes
- Employment
- Wales and the World
- Youth
Listening
- Understand spoken Welsh in public/social situations
- Identify main ideas, specific detail, perspectives
Speaking
- Communicate and interact effectively, conveying information and opinions
- Use various tenses, appropriate register and intonation
- Sustain conversations using accurate sentence structures
Reading
- Interpret diverse texts: articles, emails, diagrams, literature, and ads
- Understand literal and implied meaning; scan for detail
- Use a range of tenses and understand unfamiliar vocabulary
Writing
- Communicate effectively for narrative, descriptive, persuasive, instructional, and imaginative purposes
- Use accurate spelling, grammar, and sentence variety
- Translate short texts from English to Welsh
- Adapt style and register to audience and purpose
Language Requirements
- Verb tenses: present, past (regular/irregular), future, perfect, conditional, imperative
- Use of adjectives, mutations, pronouns, conjunctions, articles, idioms, clauses, and common sentence structures
- Numerals (traditional/contemporary), prepositions, greetings, and question forms
Assessment structure
Unit 1: Oracy response to visual stimulus
- Non-exam assessment: 6–8 mins (pair) or 8–10 mins (group)
- Speaking 10%, Listening 15% (50 marks)
- Discussion based on WJEC-provided video clip and worksheet
- 25% of GCSE
Unit 2: Communicating with other people
- Non-exam assessment: 6–8 mins (pair) or 8–10 mins (group)
- Speaking 20%, Listening 5% (50 marks)
- Discussion prompted by graphs, images and texts
- 25% of GCSE
Unit 3: Narrative, specific and instructional
- Written exam: 1 hr 30 mins
- Reading 15%, Writing 10% (100 marks)
- Includes translation (English to Welsh) and proofreading
- 25% of GCSE
Unit 4: Descriptive, creative and imaginative
- Written exam: 1 hr 30 mins
- Reading 10%, Writing 15% (100 marks)
- Creative tasks including blogs, letters, diaries, and descriptive pieces
- 25% of GCSE
Assessment Objectives
- AO1 Speaking – 30%
- AO2 Listening – 20%
- AO3 Reading – 25%
- AO4 Writing – 25%
Key tips for success
Doing well in your WJEC GCSE Welsh Second Language isn't just about how much you study, but how you study. Here are a few proven tips to help you stay on track
- Start with a clear plan: Break the subject into topics and create a revision schedule that allows enough time for each. Start early to avoid last-minute stress.
- Focus on understanding, not memorising: Use our revision notes to build a strong foundation in each topic, making sure you actually understand the material.
- Practise regularly: Attempt past papers to familiarise yourself with the exam format and timing. Mark your answers to see how close you are to full marks.
- Be strategic with your revision: Use exam questions by topic to focus on weaker areas, and flashcards to reinforce important facts and terminology.
- Learn from mistakes: Whether it's from mock exams or practice questions, spend time reviewing what went wrong and why. This helps prevent repeat mistakes in the real exam.
- Stay balanced: Don't forget to take regular breaks, eat well, and get enough sleep, a healthy routine makes revision much more effective.
With the right approach and consistent practice, you'll build confidence and improve your chances of exam success.
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