WJEC commissions acclaimed Welsh poets to enrich GCSE Core Cymraeg
Leading awarding body, WJEC recently commissioned two critically acclaimed Welsh poets Aneirin Karadog and Nia Morais to produce two new poems to support their GCSE in Core Cymraeg.
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| Aneirin Karadog | Nia Morais |
Commenting on this development, Leah Maloney, Qualification Development Officer, WJEC: “We were delighted to have worked with Aneirin Karadog and Nia Morais who managed to produce poems that encapsulate the spirit of the qualification. Their new poems offer learners texts that reflect the heritage of the language, whilst also celebrating the diversity seen across Wales.
Our new GCSE in Core Cymraeg will not only ensure that learners can confidently use the language outside of the classroom but will also enhance their understanding and appreciation of Welsh literature.
Through their studies, learners will explore a range of perspectives through texts created by authors from a range of cultural backgrounds. This will enable them to consider different themes and views, whilst offering them materials that resonate and reflect their personal experiences of a modern Wales.”
The new GCSE in Core Cymraeg has been designed to enable learners to confidently use the language within a variety of settings and to develop an appreciation of a broad range of Welsh literature.
Celebrating diversity
To support the ambition of the qualification, WJEC's Qualification Development team searched extensively to select text that represent today’s Wales. They selected authors from diverse backgrounds across Wales, each bringing different themes through a mixture of short stories and poems. These texts will allow learners to explore different perspectives, cultures, themes and study contributions from BAME communities at a local, national and international level.
Commissioning renowned poets
Whilst this initial collection successfully reflected Wales’ diversity, the team recognised the absence of poems that would support the qualification's objectives. Therefore, they commissioned two distinguished Welsh poets to develop new pieces to form part of texts. Following an extensive search, the team selected current Bardd Cymru, Nia Morais and critically acclaimed poet Aneirin Karadog.
Working alongside the team, Nia Morais produced the poem 'Llwybrau' (Pathways) which explores the theme of identity and diversity. Aneirin Karadog created the piece 'Y Daith' (The Journey) which examines the language, identity and culture, alongside the depiction of a LGBTQ+ love story.
Describing her inspiration for the poem, Nia Morais: “My father's family is from Cabo Verde in West Africa, and I also have family in Portugal. This is a poem I have written as a letter to my Grandmother and Grandfather, remembering the longing for cultural connection I felt as a teenager, and celebrating my mixed heritage.
I hope the poem will strike a chord with the young people of Wales and start discussions in the classroom about the diverse identities that can be seen in Wales today."
Describing his experience of working with WJEC, poet Aneirin Karadog: "It was a pleasure and a privilege to collaborate with WJEC on providing a literary element for the new GCSE in Core Cymraeg.
Presenting literature to those who aren’t native Welsh speakers is a radical change, which is to be welcomed. Having the opportunity to create a piece of poetry that would be suitable, understandable and offer entertaining and interesting discussion points, was an experience I really enjoyed. I hope that my personal passion for the language will pass on to a generation, or possibly, new generations of Welsh speakers."
The new GCSE in Core Cymraeg qualification forms part of WJEC’s new suite of Made-for-Wales GCSEs and related qualifications which are available for teaching from September 2025.
Stay up to date
To keep you up to date with the latest news, opportunities and FAQs regarding the new GCSEs and related qualifications, visit our ‘Made-for-Wales’ web area. This area hosts a wealth of material, including an introduction to our Qualification Development Team who are leading the creation of the new qualifications.