The language patterns continuum
Context
The Welsh regions have mapped language development in order to support English-medium schools and teachers to guide pupils along their language journey. In English-medium schools, these maps are called the 'continuum of language patterns'. The continua logically maps the most important syntax at the beginning of the language journey. This will enable progress in line with the Curriculum for Wales and the Welsh Medium framework. The local continua reflects linguistic and dialectal variations in different parts of Wales. Contact an officer at your LA or regional for a copy of your local language pattern continuum.
What is a Language Continuum?
The Language Pattern Continuum is a collection of constructive core patterns. A continuum leads the work of introducing and reinforcing language patterns in a spiral curriculum.
The patterns are used to introduce vocabulary in practical and social contexts.
The Continuum's intention is to enable learners to use core patterns confidently in a variety of contexts and apply their understanding to communication tasks. Learners can move through the Continuum at a suitable pace in accordance with their confidence and ability within the stages of progress.
The Language Patterns Continuum should be used to enable learners to show linguistic progress.
Through effective planning, you will ensure opportunities for learners to revisit patterns regularly in order to build and extend a range of patterns as they move through the stages of progress.
This is an example of building patterns using the present tense in the first person (Dw i - I am + Mae_ gyda fi - I've got)
Across the school
The Continuum should be planned across the school in order to systematically embed, build and expand patterns across the stages of progress.
In your class
When planning for your learners you should consider previous learning within the Language Continuum in order to make sure that learners are confident to extend and expand on the patterns. Retrieving prior knowledge is key to embedding patterns and extending vocabulary and showing progress.
Remember that it is necessary to secure opportunities to internalise the patterns before moving on in order to build progress effectively.
