Welsh and a Modern Language (BA)

We employ a range of teaching methods including lectures, seminars, language classes, and workshops. 

Lecture content provides an overview of the key concepts and frameworks for a topic, equipping you with the skills to carry out independent research for the seminars and to develop and try out your own ideas. These materials may be delivered to you in face-to-face format or provided in a digital format so that you can study them at your own pace and convenience.

Seminars are interactive classes that consist of a small group of students and a member of the module teaching team. They may take various formats, including plenary group discussion, small group work and student-led presentations. Seminars provide a dynamic environment in which you can explore and critically engage with the ideas and debates outlined in lectures. 

All teaching focuses on active learning and meaningful student participation, with opportunities provided to practise and develop key competencies and skills. 

Class preparation and independent study form a key part of your learning. Between classes, you’ll prepare material, evidence and arguments, and complete language tasks individually or in groups. Research is also central to the student experience at Cardiff University and all our teaching is informed by the latest findings and academic inquiry.

Our teaching methods foster intellectual skills, such as critical thinking, close analysis, evaluating evidence, constructing arguments, using theory and the effective deployment of language in writing and in debate. We also help you gain experience in team working, independent research and time management in a supportive environment.

How will I be supported?

You’ll be guided through your studies by a Personal Tutor, who is able to advise you on academic issues. If you encounter any problems which affect your studies, your personal tutor should always be your first point of contact. You’ll meet with your personal tutor regularly during each academic year, and you are encouraged to get in touch with them at any other time if you need help or advice.

During your year of study or work abroad you’ll be assigned a Year Abroad Coordinator, who will keep in touch with you and monitor your progress.

Our modules have a dedicated space on the Cardiff University Virtual Learning Environment where you’ll be guided through the weekly activities and tasks you need to complete. You’ll also have access to shared learning materials and resources such as lecture recordings, tasks and resources, information about assessments and links to digital resources including the library materials available in electronic format. 

Professional Services staff within the School of Welsh and the School of Modern Languages will also be available to provide your with advice and guidance in a supportive, caring and confidential environment.

In addition, Student Life, located in the Centre for Student Life, offers a range of services. These support services encompass: Advice and Money, Student Futures, Counselling, Health and Wellbeing, the Student Disability Service, Academic Study Skills and Student Mentoring, and excellent libraries and resource centres.

How will I be assessed?

Our assessments are designed to support you in developing your ideas, skills and competencies. They encourage you to be innovative and creative, to think critically about the texts and cultures you encounter and to present evidence-based arguments in Welsh, English and through the medium of the modern language you’re studying. 

We use traditional assessment formats (such as essays, exams, quizzes, oral exams, presentations and dissertation) as well as more innovative forms of assessment, (the creation of vlogs, podcasts, video and audio projects, interviews, portfolios and poster presentations). Assessments also include source criticisms, research projects, reviews, creative-critical portfolios and blog posts. 

Some of our assessments allow you to work collaboratively on a project, while others include writing and creating for different audiences. You’ll have the opportunity, for example, to choose a Welsh creative writing assessment, or assessments which ask you to form policy documents or critiques. While long essays allow you to explore a literary, cultural or linguistic issue or debate in more depth.

In all cases, our assessments are designed to support you in developing your ideas, skills and competencies. They help equip you with skills to link your knowledge to local, national and global issues, and encourage you to be innovative and creative; to find new ways to address problems or ask questions; to collaborate in solving problems and presenting findings; and to present evidence-based arguments. 

Individual and group feedback on assessments and other learning provides you with the opportunity to reflect on your current or recent level of attainment. Individual feedback is provided on all assessed work to help you improve performance for future assessments, and you’ll have opportunities to discuss this feedback with your tutors.

What skills will I practise and develop?

The Learning Outcomes for this programme describe what you will achieve by the end of your programme at Cardiff University and identify the knowledge and skills that you will develop. They will also help you to understand what is expected of you. 

On successful completion of your programme, you’ll be able to:

Knowledge & Understanding:

KU1 Speak, write, and understand a modern foreign language to degree standard.  

KU2 Understand the structures, registers and varieties of Welsh and the modern foreign language you are learning and use them flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes, as appropriate.

KU3 Critically analyse aspects of the cultures, literatures, histories and societies of Wales and the countries in which your modern foreign language is spoken by drawing on a range of materials and approaches. 

KU4 Demonstrate an in-depth, critical knowledge, awareness and understanding of the similarities and dissimilarities of cultures and societies other than your own.

KU5 Apply an in-depth intercultural understanding including specific knowledge of other cultures, to navigate and mediate between more than one culture.

KU6 Critique the development of the Welsh language and its literature in different historical periods, from a linguistic, literary, social and professional context as well as evaluate attempts to restore and promote the language

Intellectual Skills:

IS1 Communicate clearly, concisely and effectively to diverse audiences, in writing and speech, in English and/or Welsh and in a modern foreign language.

IS2 Adopt a range of strategies to initiate and undertake analysis of information and language.

IS3 Formulate conclusions about the strengths and weaknesses of views and arguments, justifying these with sound reasoning and detailed interpretations of source material.

IS4 Critically evaluate ideas and arguments, through the coherent presentation of information and ideas using a plethora of written and oral skills. 

IS5 Draw on relevant and effective research techniques to plan and write or deliver academic texts (essays, presentations, audio-visual texts) using evidence and the correct referencing conventions.

IS6 Critique texts, data, materials, concepts and theories relevant to Welsh language and literature, using appropriate vocabulary and terminology.

Professional Practical Skills:

PS1 Use digital media effectively as a source of information, a means of communication and as an aid to learning. Use digital media effectively as a source of information, a means of communication and as an aid to learning. 

PS2 Apply enhanced linguistic skills to produce a range of material using written and spoken Welsh and/or, English and a Modern Language that is appropriate for the workplace and intended to address a range of audiences 

PS3 Identify and describe problems and work collaboratively towards their resolution. 

PS4 Demonstrate resilience, adaptability and independence through time spent in immersive modern language contexts. 

PS5 Demonstrate critical thinking, reasoning and the ability to assimilate and summarise complex information and ideas though the independent selection and critical analysis of an appropriate range of evidence.

PS6 Apply information, understanding and skills in a professional context.

Transferable/Key Skills:

KS1 Employ critical thinking and reasoning to analyse and evaluate diverse and complex texts and ideas.

KS2 Apply practical research skills

KS3 Generate original ideas and apply creative, imaginative and innovative thinking in response to identified needs and problems   

KS4 Learn from constructive feedback and incorporate its insights.

KS5 Be resourceful and take responsibility for your own guided and independent learning and professional development. 

KS6 Utilise a range of employability and enterprise skills, such as creativity, initiative, organisation, time management, independent and team working. 

KS7 Act as a global citizen, engaging with and valuing cultural difference through practical experience of other countries.