Latin
Latin is a core subject for all students in Years 7-9 and can be continued at GCSE and IB after that. From being complete beginners in Year 7, students progress to read Latin and translate extended passages into English by the end of Year 9. Beyond that, students get the chance to enjoy excerpts of original Latin including Virgil’s Aeneid and even some love poetry.
As well as learning the Latin language, there is a strong emphasis on studying ancient Roman civilisation, covering topics such as gladiators, theatres, medicine and religion, providing compelling opportunities to make comparisons with the world around us today.
Recent studies in America and the UK have shown that knowledge of Latin dramatically improves pupils' accuracy of spelling, clarity of expression and range of vocabulary – as well as being a great opportunity to investigate a truly fascinating civilisation which so significantly influences British culture today.
Course Content
Years 7-9
Students work from the Cambridge Latin Course, a story-based textbook which follows the lives of a Roman family in the 1st century AD. Books 1 and 2 and part of Book 3 are covered in the MYP. New elements of language, vocabulary and grammar are introduced progressively alongside aspects of Roman life such as:
- Slavery
- Theatres
- Gladiators
- The eruption of Mount Vesuvius,
- Roman Britain
- Ancient Alexandria
- Medicine
Years 10 & 11 (GCSE)
Students progress their study of the language to GCSE level, mainly through continued use of the Cambridge Latin course. Most of Year 10 is spent developing understanding of language. At the end of Year 10 students are introduced to selected excerpts of original Roman literature for analytical appreciation (Verse literature unit) and in Year 11 they begin studying two specific aspects of Roman civilisation (Roman Culture and literature unit). The following culture topics rotate biennially (students study two of the three):
- Myths and beliefs
- Entertainment
- Roman Britain
TGS gave me the perfect introduction to Latin - through the dramatic and rather comedic stories from the Cambridge Latin Course and the contagious love of the subject from our two fantastic teachers, it immediately became my favourite subject!
Eleanor, Year 11