All year 8 and year 9 boys study Latin. Learned through two volumes of a new text book cheerily entitled "So you really want to learn Latin" the course is based on the old fashioned ideas that Latin grammar is VERY logical and the study of it encourages logical thinking. There are also stories of early Roman history and stories from mythology most of which the Romans swiped from the Greeks (they thought they'd get away with it by changing names and places but don't be fooled!)
GCSE Latin
Nature of the Course
At the end of year 9 all boys have the option of pursuing
Latin as a GCSE subject. An outline of the course is given
below. The advantages of studying Latin are numerous but
perhaps two are particularly well worth mentioning:
i. the enormous support it gives to the learning of EVERY
other language
ii. the fact that Latin is still a subject which carries
immense academic kudos
All year 9 boys are issued with a leaflet from the Joint
Association of Classics Teachers which includes a longer
list of reasons to study Latin and other information.
The GCSE Latin syllabus consists of two papers, each of one and three quarter hours duration.
Paper I
(i) Language:
One passage of Latin prose on which a series of questions
will be set in English, testing understanding
(ii) Language:
One passage of Latin (with a title in English) to be translated
into English
(iii) Literature:
A set text (prose) passage on which questions will be set
to test knowledge of translation and content, and a simple
appreciation of style and literary merit.
(iv) Civilisation:
Questions will be set on a prepared short topic related
to the theme of the Prose Literature. These questions will
be about the way the Romans lived, their customs, institutions
and attitudes.
Paper II
Section A:
Set Text Verse: questions will be asked on selected passages
to test knowledge of meaning and content and a simple appreciation
of style and literary merit.
Section B:
Either 8 short sentences of English to be translated into
correct Latin, OR a passage of Latin prose, on which a series
of questions will be asked in English, testing understanding
of the passage.
The two year course will therefore involve:
- systematic revision of previously learned grammar and vocabulary;
- new grammar and vocabulary (to standards laid down by NEAB);
- practice in unseen translation, comprehension and composition;
- careful preparation of the set texts for the course.
A-Level Latin
Entry Qualifications
GCSE Latin is essential, preferably at Grade A, or at least Grade B. It would not normally be advisable to attempt A Level Latin with a lower grade.
Nature of the Course
After GCSE the option exists to study Latin at AS and A2 level. Again an outline of the course is given below. As with GCSE there are many good reasons for continuing the study of Latin and the fact that it is a subject which so well complements both humanities and sciences as well as more obviously languages is to be taken into consideration now that 6th formers are encouraged to broaden their horizons with a wider curriculum.
Assessment
Unit 1
|
1 hour exam: |
AS: 35% of marks - |
|
Foundation Language |
Unseen comprehension and translation of a prose author. |
Unit 2
|
1¼ hour exam: |
AS: 30% of marks - |
|
Prose Set Text |
|
Unit 3
|
1¼ hour exam: |
AS: 35% of marks - |
|
Verse Set Text |
|
A2 EXAMINATION
Unit 4
|
1¼ hours exam: |
A2: 17½% of marks |
|
Further Language |
Further unseen comprehension and translation of both prose and verse. |
Unit 5
|
1½ hours exam: |
A2: 17½% of marks |
|
Prose or Verse Set Text |
|
Unit 6
|
1¼ hours exam: |
A2: 15% of marks |
|
Literature and Society |
Questions set on a particular topic (eg Satire) on an author or authors to be studied both in Latin and in English. |
Career possibilities
For graduates of Classics (Latin and Greek) Career possibilities
are as varied as for graduates of every other non-vocational
degree course. Companies who particularly like classicists
are banks, management consultancies and MI5 and MI6. Could
you be the next Commander James Bond?