Language and RME Department

The Latin Course develops learners’ translation skills and ability to understand, analyse and evaluate through studying Latin language and literature. Learners also develop knowledge and understanding of literary techniques and Roman culture.

Language is at the core of thinking. Learners reflect, communicate and develop ideas through language. The Course offers learners opportunities to develop and extend various skills. In particular,  the Course aims to enable learners to develop:

• the language skills of translation

• the ability to understand, analyse and evaluate

• the ability to apply knowledge of language

• knowledge and understanding of literary techniques and Roman culture.

At Lanark Grammar School, we teach Latin at all levels - National 3, National 4, National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher.

Assessment

National 3 and National 4

These courses are internally assessed by teaching staff using national guidelines and standards.

Both their translation skills and literary appreciation will be assessed. Assessment will be ongoing, based on evidence that develops out of normal classroom learning.

Pupils will have  regular opportunities to demonstrate that they have achieved the required standard in each of the skill areas.

There is no external assessment at National 3 or National 4 so there is no final exam.

At National 4, Pupils are required to complete an Added Value Unit which involves applying their language skills to investigate connections between a chosen topic and an aspect of Roman culture and presenting their findings.

National 5 and Higher

Pupils will sit an external SQA exam.  

The assessment of the units in this course will be as follows:

Latin: Translating

The purpose of this question paper is to allow learners to demonstrate the challenge and application of the skills of translating. In this question paper, the skills, knowledge, and understanding that will be assessed are:

• translating a detailed unseen Latin prose text into English;

• applying knowledge and understanding of vocabulary, accidence and syntax;

• conveying the overall meaning of the text in English using appropriate language, style and structure.

Latin: Literary Appreciation  

The purpose of this question paper is to allow learners to demonstrate challenge and application in the skills of literary appreciation.  This question paper will allow learners to demonstrate the following skills, knowledge and understanding:

• understand, analyse and evaluate detailed and complex texts in Latin and translated into English;

• apply knowledge and understanding of literary techniques;

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of aspects of Roman culture.

The prescribed texts at National 5 are:

1. Catullus, Poems

2. Ovid, Metamorphoses VIII

3. Virgil, Aeneid II

4. Pliny, Letters 7.27 and 9.33

5. Cicero, In Verrem IV

The five prescribed texts at Higher are:

1. Catullus, Poems

2. Ovid, Metamorphoses Books IV and VIII

3. Virgil, Aeneid Books I, IV and VI

4. Pliny, Letters VI.16 and VI

5. Cicero, In Verrem V

Advanced Higher 

Pupils will sit external SQA exams for Unseen Translation and Literary Appreciation and submit a Dissertation for external marking.

Latin: Translating 

The purpose of this question paper is to allow learners to demonstrate challenge and application in translating. In this question paper, the skills, knowledge, and understanding that will be assessed are:

• translating detailed unseen Latin prose and poetry texts into English

• applying knowledge and understanding of vocabulary, accidence and syntax

• conveying the text's overall meaning in English using appropriate language, style and structure.

Latin: Literary Appreciation  

The purpose of this question paper, is to allow learners to demonstrate challenge and application in literary appreciation skills.  This question paper will allow learners to demonstrate the following skills, knowledge and understanding:

• understand, analyse and evaluate detailed and complex texts in Latin and translated into English;

• apply knowledge and understanding of literary techniques;

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of aspects of Roman culture.

The prescribed texts at Advanced Higher are:

• Letters and Letter-writing

• Ovid and Latin Love-poetry

Latin: Dissertation 

Pupils choose to investigate an aspect of the Latin language, literature or the Roman world as appropriate to their interests. The project dissertation assesses candidates’ ability to apply their skills of translating and literary appreciation in the challenging context of course assessment to plan and produce a dissertation of 3-4000 words.

Future Pathways

Skills Developed