Classical Languages
Latin in Years 5-8
Latin is studied at Heritage from Year 5 onwards. It is great to have the opportunity to learn this language which is so foundational to our own and other languages at such an early age. However, If you are joining us in Year 6, 7 or 8 without having studied Latin before, don’t worry, the course is structured to enable you to pick it up easily.
The grammatical content of the syllabus roughly follows that of Common Entrance Levels 1-3 in a spiral structure adding new grammar whilst also covering the basics again each year so that by the end of the course grammatical content is very secure and those new to the subject have had ample chance to catch up.
While the grammatical content of the syllabus follows a spiral structure, the stories, that are at the very heart of the course, are always fresh. It was Charlotte Mason’s strong conviction that children should study living books which exposed them to the rich fabric of great stories from history, legend and myth told in a vivid and engaging way. Story is a powerful vehicle for learning and by following a theme for a term pupils get to enjoy the story unfolding bit by bit and reaching a climax. Such stories from the Classical World also open up fascinating areas for discussion, whether it is the morality of Odysseus, the love and tragedy of Dido or the cruelty and civilisation of the Romans.
The study of Latin and Classics as a whole in Years 5-8 is enlivened and enriched by trips to Verulamium, the Museum of Classical Archaeology and the British Museum.
Course Outline
| Y5 | The Present Tense, sum, imperatives,The Five Cases, Adjectives, Prepositional Phrases. | Verulamium – Domestic Life
Bellum – The Roman Army Fabulae – Greek Myths |
| Y6 | The Perfect & Imperfect Tenses, Nouns of 3 Declensions, Expressions of Place, Irregular Verbs. | Rome – its stones and stories
The Odyssey Latin Plays |
| Y7 | The Future and Pluperfect Tenses, Nouns and Adjectives of 3 Declensions, Comparison of Adjectives, Pronouns. | The Persian Wars
Alexander the Great Pompeii |
| Y8 | The Passive Voice, Nouns and Adjectives of 3 Declensions, Numbers, Expressions of Time, Participles, Ablative Absolutes, | The Trojan War
Dido & Aeneas Caesar’s Invasions of Britain |
GCSE Latin
Why?
Latin teaches you to think clearly and to communicate effectively. Pupils often remark that the vocabulary and grammar they study in Latin helps them to understand English better; and how the process of translation, of looking for just the right word or phrase, helps them express themselves more precisely in their own language. Universities and employers alike value the high level of analytical thought that Latin develops and the strong communication skills it imparts. More than this, of course, the study of Latin opens a window on the fascinating culture, literature and history of the Romans, one of the greatest civilizations the world has known.
Course Content
In Years 9 and 10 pupils continue to work on their mastery of Latin grammar and syntax, drawing upon John Taylor’s Latin to GCSE course as well as other texts and materials. Regular vocabulary tests, exercises and translations build and increasing fluency in the language. From the second half of Year 10 pupils begin to study their set texts, drawn from original Latin prose and poetry, alongside their continuing language work. This is a real highlight of the course: studying some of the most sublime literature in the world in its original language is an immensely rich and rewarding experience.
Assessment
We use the Cambridge OCR exam board for Latin GCSE (J282)
Paper 1: Language (J282/01) (50% – examined)
Knowledge of the language is tested through unseen translation, comprehension and translation of short, simple sentences from English into Latin.
Paper 2: Prose Literature (J282/02) (25% – examined)
The texts set for 2027 are two tales that centre around the miraculous affection of animals for humans. First is Aulus Gellius’ telling of the story of Androcles and the lion, a remarkable example of animal loyalty in the bloody setting of the arena in Rome in the presence of the emperor. The second is Pliny the Younger’s account of a boy playing with a dolphin in the sea and the relationship that grows up between them.
Paper 3: Verse Literature (J282/05): (25% – examined)
The set text for 2027 is drawn from the dramatic Laocoon episode from the opening of Virgil’s Aeneid book 2, where Aeneas tells of the Fall of Troy. In this section Laocoon rushes down from the citadel of Troy to warn the Trojans not to trust the horse, uttering the famous line “I fear the Greeks even when they are bearing gifts.” Of course the Trojans tragically do not heed his warnings and the fates are against him as serpents divinely sent from the sea attack both him and his sons as he his sacrificing on the shore; we shall compare Virgil’s account with the exquisite statue group of the same subject, sculpted most likely in the 20s BC at the same time that Virgil was writing the Aeneid.
GCSE Classical Greek
Why?
Pupils progress from exploring a fascinating new alphabet to reading Aesop’s Fables, then stories from the Odyssey and the life of Alexander the Great, the wisdom of Socrates and a host of other stories from Greek myth and history. Pupils enjoy the opportunity to explore an ancient language, uncovering the roots of many technical English words in the process! Perhaps the greatest reward comes in the second year of the course with the opportunity to read some of the greatest literature of the ancient world.
Course Content
We follow John Taylor’s Greek to GCSE course which enables pupils to progress independently at their own pace. Regular vocabulary tests, exercises, translations and feedback build an increasing fluency in the language. In their second year, pupils begin the study of their set texts, drawn from original Greek prose and poetry, alongside their continuing language work.
Assessment
We use the Cambridge OCR exam board for Classical Greek GCSE (J292)
Paper 1: Language (J292/01) (50% – examined)
Knowledge of the language is tested through unseen translation, comprehension and translation of short, simple sentences into Greek.
Paper 2: Prose Literature (J292/02): (25% – examined)
For 2027, the set texts are drawn from Tales from Herodotus (Farnell & Goff) sections:
- VI (How Arion was Saved by a Dolphin)
- VII (Story of Euenius)
- X (Respect for Suppliants enforced by an oracle)
First the miraculous account of how a dolphin rescued the singer Arion and carried him through the sea back to his homeland; then the story of Euenius who was deprived of his sight by his fellow-citizens for not looking after sacred sheep and was subsequently tricked by them despite being vindicated by an oracle; and finally a bizarre description of an oracle enforcing respect towards suppliants. After 2500 years Herodotus (the ‘father of History’) remains the best of story-tellers and surprisingly modern in feel with his fascination and respect for cultures and customs other than his own. Herodotus (484-425BC) was fascinated by the different cultures and customs found in different parts of the world. He records stories that are intriguing and amusing in turn.
Paper 3: Verse Literature (J292/04): (25% – examined)
The set text for 2027 is Homer’s Odyssey book X, lines 203-245, 302-347 and 371-399, where Odysseus encounters the enchantress Circe who turns his men into pigs and would have inflicted the same fate on Odysseus himself were it not for the divine assistance of Hermes.
Written in c.725 BC, but drawing on a long oral tradition, Homer’s Odyssey is a masterpiece of literature that has remained unsurpassed since it was first written. The prose and verse components are designed to develop learners’ knowledge and understanding of ancient literature through studying the set texts listed. These components assess learners’ ability to analyse, evaluate and respond to the ancient literature they have studied.
GCSE Classical Greek is offered as an after school course. The aim is to complete the course in two years; this will require a significant amount of independent work. You can always try it out to see how it goes for a shorter period. A final decision on entry for the GCSE will be taken in January of the final year of the course.
