Following the opening of the Qualifications Wales consultation on keeping the Welsh second language GCSE, will the Minister make a statement on Professor Sioned Davies' recommendations regarding developing one qualification by 2018? W
As the independent regulator of qualifications in Wales, it is Qualification Wales' role to ensure the availability of valid qualifications for learners currently following the statutory Welsh Second Language curriculum. Their consultation, which closed on 15 May, sought views on changes to the Welsh Second Language GCSE for teaching from September 2017. The introduction of the new GCSE in 2017 will take place alongside the withdrawal of the Welsh Second Language GCSE short courses.
Qualifications Wales has recently published its subject criteria for GCSE Welsh Second Language and the qualification will reflect the priorities set out in One Language for All and Successful Futures, with more emphasis on speaking, listening and using the language. It will further align the Welsh Second Language GCSE with the Welsh Language (first language) GCSE in preparation for introducing a single Welsh language continuum as part of our new curriculum. My ambition is that by 2021 all schools will be using the new curriculum to underpin learning and teaching for children and young people aged 3-16.