Latin
Latin
Latin GCSE is a lively and wide-ranging subject, which is well respected by employers for its development of logical, analytical thinking and communication skills. The course is fascinating in its own right but also opens up a wide range of disciplines and transferrable skills. Latin broadens vocabulary, enhances the ability to communicate effectively and to appreciate literature profoundly and strengthens a grasp of the meaning of ideas. Latin is the root language for understanding many languages - especially English, French, Spanish and Italian - and the vast majority of technical, legal and scientific vocabulary derives directly from classical languages. The history and culture of the Roman Empire help us to understand not only the ancient world but also the modern world and the people we are today.
“Not to know what happened before you were born is to be forever a child.” - Cicero, Orator 34
“There's no such thing as dead languages, only dormant minds.” - Carlos Ruiz Zafón, The Shadow of the Wind
The Latin language is studied in order to translate Latin passages into accurate English, to answer comprehension questions about Latin extracts and to show knowledge of Latin-English word derivations. The prescribed grammar is completed by around Easter of Year 10.
Roman literature - the work of one of the world’s most famous authors, Virgil, is studied in order to show detailed knowledge and to comment on the characters, themes and literary quality of his writing. Passages studied will be short excerpts from Aeneid Book 2: in this classic myth, Virgil recounts the Greeks' deceit and the wooden horse being led into Troy, leading to the city's downfall and destruction.
The Latin language is consolidated in order to translate Latin passages into accurate English, to answer comprehension questions about Latin extracts and to show knowledge of Latin-English word derivations.
Roman civilisation - two topics on everyday Roman life are studied. The classical world is compared with later times, Roman motives and attitudes are investigated, and informed, personal, evaluations are made about original archaeological and literary evidence.
The GCSE will be assessed by means of three written examination papers:
Latin language (90 minutes) - comprehension questions and translation work.
Latin literature (60 minutes) - comprehension questions on the context and literary quality of the original Latin passages.
Literature and Culture (60 minutes) - factual and evaluative responses to original Roman source material already translated into English. For this component there is a booklet of prescribed source material.
The examination board is OCR (specification number J282). You can see the full specification here.
The language paper is worth 50% of the total GCSE qualification, whereas the other papers are worth 25% each. All questions are in English.
There is a set vocabulary list for the language paper which is learned over the two years. Many words have already been learned in Years 7-9.
Latin literature is studied from the original Latin and consists of short excerpts (approximately 120 lines of Latin) from Book 2 of Virgil's Aeneid. A second literature paper is available: if this option is taken, short extracts from a second Roman author's work are also studied instead of the 'Literature and Culture' component.
The Roman sources studied are already translated into English and give direct, fascinating views of the world in which the Romans lived. The set topics for examination in 2027 and 2028 will be:
Myths and Beliefs - gods, state religion, beliefs in the afterlife, Aeneas, Romulus and Remus.
The Romans in Britain - the army, roads, villas and Roman Bath.
If you have any queries about this curriculum, please contact: Mr Philip Towler, Head of Latin, on pt@farlingtonschool.com