Sanskrit

The Sanskrit Department aims to expose students to the ancient language of the Indo-European tree with key focus on reading and writing the Devanagari script and developing grammatical skills in order to translate texts linked to the faith including the Bhagavad Gita, Mahabharata and the Ramayana. We aim to engage all pupils, ensuring learning is inclusive regardless of religious background and faith with a primary focus on language.

OVERVIEW OF COURSE

Sanskrit is taught as an ancient language i.e. with the purpose of learning grammar and translating texts from the Ancient Indian library. Texts include Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita and Ramayana.


Pupils will develop skills in grammatically analysing texts, which in turn helps to improve the generic grammar skills across the Indo-European language tree.


Pupils have the opportunity to study Sanskrit at IGCSE level and even further at A level.

PROGRAMME OF STUDY

SKILLS / KNOWLEDGE / UNDERSTANDING


Students will develop their skills in reading texts in Devanagari script and practice writing throughout the course. Students understand the eight cases of Sanskrit from Nominative case to Locative case and understand how nouns decline and are used in a sentence. With verbs and a variety of vocabulary, students translate adapted extracts from the Ramayana paying close attention to grammar. Students develop skills in noun-verb agreement, as well as understanding the structure of sentences.

METHODS OF ASSESSMENT


We will use a range of assessments:

Formal tests / examinations

Weekly vocabulary tests

Tracking of quality of class and homework through books/folders

Speaking and oral presentations

Projects

We will also use a range of different styles of feedback to students:

Extensive (deep) marking in which the teacher provides formative comments for future improvement which the student is expect to act on in the following lesson.

Acknowledgment marking, where the teach concisely marks the piece of work, highlighting positive work and addressing major misconceptions.

Non-written feedback which can take the form of verbal, peer and self assessment.

Verbal feedback in class.

HOW PARENTS / CARERS CAN HELP


All students in Key stage 3 are provided with the Sanskrit: An Introductory Course textbook. The book explains how to read and write the Devanagari script and the grammar. Parents can assist their child in practicing to read and write the text at home, test their child with vocabulary, which is found at the back of the book and also ensure tasks are completed in the book.