LATIN

Department members:
Mrs Aileen Lockey (Head of Department)
Mrs Anna Hipwell

Levels taught in the department:
• Key Stage 3: all girls learn Latin in Years 7 and 8, and have the option of further study as a lunchtime activity in Year 9.
• GCSE: the specification followed is OCR 1942, Language and Literature option. Assessment is by examination, with no coursework.
• AS/A2: the specification is OCR 3818/7818; there is no coursework.

Aims:
The Latin course at every level should provide a satisfying experience in itself and a sound basis for further study.

Its aims are to encourage students to:

	acquire an understanding of some of the elements of classical civilisation, literature and language which have had a profound influence on modern societies;
	develop competence in the Latin language;
	develop a sensitive and analytical approach to language generally, including an awareness of the relationship between Latin and modern languages;
	at KS4 and KS5 (i.e. GCSE and A-level), read and respond to literature in Latin and understand the cultural context within which it was written.

Why Study Latin?
The benefits of studying Latin may be summarised under three headings: linguistic, cultural and intellectual:

	Linguistic: Approximately 70% of English words are derived directly or indirectly from the Classical languages; this is also true for French, Spanish, Italian and German. Familiarity with Latin and/or Greek aids English users to interpret the meaning of unfamiliar words, spell correctly and widen their vocabulary. Knowledge of a language other than our own gives perspective on the ways in which language is used to express thought: grammatical and syntactic structures, phrases, clauses and sentences; awareness of how different languages work makes us better users of our own language.
	Cultural: The contribution of the Romans and Greeks to modern European culture has been vast, various and persisting: literature, art and architecture, philosophy, law, politics, science and technology. Everyone who is a member of European society should know something of the historical background to our culture and civilisation.
	Intellectual: Translating Latin into English is not easy. The rules of grammar are inflexible and must be rigorously applied, without ambiguity or inaccuracy. Learning to read Latin develops very important skills: accuracy of thought, clarity of expression and a methodical approach to solving problems. These skills are invaluable across the whole curriculum and in adult life.

Course Content

	Year 7: Cambridge Latin Course, Book 1. The book follows the fortunes of a family living in Pompeii in the first century AD. It provides an introduction to the Latin language, and detailed information on the private and public lives of the Romans.
	Year 8: Cambridge Latin Course, Book 2. This book is set in Britain and Egypt. Pupils study more advanced Latin, and learn about life in the Roman provinces.
	Year 9: A variety of activities is provided to maintain interest and extend knowledge of Latin, including quizzes, puzzles, short stories and plays.
	Year 10: Cambridge Latin Course, Book 3/4. The action continues in Roman Britain, following the activities of the army and the career of Agricola, and finally moves to Imperial Rome, looking at key features of the city itself and various aspects of Roman life. In the second half of the year the first of the GCSE set texts is studied (Latin prose: a selection from the letters of Pliny), focusing closely on linguistic content but also exploring elements of the author’s style and literary technique, and developing students’ awareness of the cultural and historical context in which the work was written.
	Year 11: Cambridge Latin Course, Book 4/5. The stories are set in and around the court of the Emperor Domitian, exploring the tensions and effects of living under a tyranny. The second prescribed text is studied (Latin verse: an extract from Virgil’s Aeneid).

For more information about Latin at A-level, please click here.

Classical Greek
Any girl who is interested in studying Classical Greek at GCSE (OCR specification 1941), AS (OCR 3817) or A2 (OCR 7817) should see Mrs Lockey to discuss the possibility of following such a course.

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