Cymraeg at Ysgol Bro Carmel

Celebrating the Welsh language, culture and heritage

At Ysgol Bro Carmel, we are proud of our Welsh identity and the important place that the Welsh language, culture and heritage hold within our school community. Situated in Carmel, near Holywell in Flintshire, we want every child to develop an appreciation of the language and traditions of Wales while gaining the confidence to use Welsh in everyday situations.

As an English-medium primary school, we are committed to providing meaningful opportunities for children to learn, practise and enjoy speaking Welsh throughout their time with us. Our aim is to help children develop a positive attitude towards the Welsh language, recognise its importance in modern Wales and feel proud of the country in which they live.

Learning Welsh at Ysgol Bro Carmel

Developing confidence in speaking and understanding Welsh

Welsh language development is an important part of our curriculum. From Nursery through to Year 6, children have opportunities to develop their Welsh language skills through progressive, age-appropriate learning experiences. We encourage pupils to develop their confidence in:

• Speaking Welsh: Using familiar words, phrases and sentences in everyday situations.
• Listening and understanding: Recognising and responding to spoken Welsh.
• Reading Welsh: Developing an understanding of Welsh vocabulary and written language.
• Writing Welsh: Building confidence in communicating ideas through written Welsh.
• Using Welsh naturally: Applying their language skills beyond individual lessons.

We recognise that learning a language takes time, practice and encouragement. Our approach celebrates effort and progress, helping children become increasingly confident and independent Welsh language learners.

Cymraeg Bob Dydd – Everyday Welsh

Making Welsh part of everyday school life

At Ysgol Bro Carmel, we believe that learning Welsh should extend beyond the classroom. We actively encourage children to use everyday Welsh, known as Cymraeg Bob Dydd, as part of their normal school experiences. This includes opportunities to practise familiar greetings, questions, instructions and conversational phrases. For example, children may use:

Bore da – Good morning
Prynhawn da – Good afternoon
Sut wyt ti? – How are you?
Dw i’n iawn, diolch – I’m fine, thank you
Diolch – Thank you
Os gwelwch yn dda – Please
Hwyl fawr – Goodbye

By regularly hearing and using Welsh, children become more familiar with the language and develop confidence in communicating with others. Our aim is to make Welsh a natural, enjoyable and valued part of school life.

Criw Cymraeg – Our Welsh Language Ambassadors

Pupil voice and leadership in promoting Welsh

Our Criw Cymraeg provides opportunities for pupils to take an active role in celebrating and promoting the Welsh language within our school community.

Through pupil leadership, children can develop their communication skills, confidence and sense of responsibility while encouraging others to engage with Welsh.

Our Criw Cymraeg has contributed to whole-school activities, including sharing the story of Santes Dwynwen (Saint Dwynwen) with pupils during a school assembly.

Activities such as these help children recognise that Welsh is a living language that connects people, communities and traditions.

We value the enthusiasm of our pupils in helping to promote a positive Welsh-speaking culture throughout Ysgol Bro Carmel.

Celebrating Welsh Culture and Heritage

Developing a sense of belonging and Welsh identity

Learning about Wales is an important part of helping children understand their identity, heritage and place within the wider world.

At Ysgol Bro Carmel, we recognise the value of exploring Welsh traditions, history, literature, music and culture as part of a broad and engaging curriculum.

Through opportunities across the curriculum, children can develop an appreciation of:

• Welsh traditions and celebrations.
• The history and heritage of Wales.
• Welsh music, poetry and storytelling.
• Significant Welsh people and their achievements.
• The geography and natural environment of Wales.
• The importance of the Welsh language within communities.
• The relationship between local identity and national culture.

Our location in North Wales provides a valuable context for helping children understand the communities, landscapes and heritage that make Wales unique.

We want our pupils to feel connected to their local area while developing curiosity and respect for other cultures and communities.

Welsh Language and the Curriculum for Wales

The Curriculum for Wales places importance on developing learners who can communicate confidently and understand their cultural identity. Welsh language learning contributes to the development of communication, literacy and multilingual skills, particularly within the Languages, Literacy and Communication Area of Learning and Experience.

At Ysgol Bro Carmel, we aim to provide opportunities for children to build their Welsh language knowledge progressively throughout primary education. Learning Welsh also supports the development of the Curriculum for Wales’ four purposes, helping children become:

• Ambitious, capable learners who develop confidence in acquiring new language skills.
• Enterprising, creative contributors who communicate ideas and engage with Welsh culture.
• Ethical, informed citizens who appreciate the importance of language, identity and cultural diversity.
• Healthy, confident individuals who develop a sense of belonging and pride in their community.

By connecting Welsh language learning with meaningful experiences, we aim to help children recognise its relevance beyond school.

Supporting Welsh Language Learning at Home