What will students be studying in Latin?
We value the importance of Latin as an academic subject at Newstead. Year 7 students will be able to study Latin on an opt-in basis. There will be one lesson per week either at lunchtime or after school, starting in October. As Latin is an enrichment course, there is a charge of £100. Students will use Latin to GCSE Part 1 by Henry Cullen and John Taylor.
In Years 8 and 9 we offer Latin as an after-school option as part of our twilight program of study. Students will be able to take GCSE Latin at the end of Year 10, if they are keen and work well independently. There is a charge of £220 per academic year.
In Year 8 students will students will continue to develop their knowledge of Latin language but will also complement this with the study of Latin short stories. Students will develop their knowledge and understanding of vocabulary and grammar and move onto the translation of more complex sentences. They will get a solid grounding in the present and past tenses, the agreement of adjectives and the use of relative pronouns. Students in Year 8 will complete Latin to GCSE Part 1.
In Year 9 students will move on to Latin to GCSE Part 2. They will continue to read and respond to Latin in its social and cultural context. They will get a solid grounding in the role of all cases. New grammar will focus on the role of participles, pronouns, the indirect statement and the use of the imperfect and pluperfect subjunctive form of the verb.
Expectations of Students in Latin
The Latin course takes place after school for an hour each week with a potential progression route to the Latin GCSE examination in Year 10. In view of its accelerated nature students have every opportunity to develop their ability to be independent learners. To this end self-assessment is an important element of the course and the weekly starter on an aspect of grammar or vocabulary is especially important.
What are the major assessments this year?
In the Autumn Term students will undertake regular vocabulary/grammar tests and an end-of-unit test containing translation, comprehension and grammar exercises. There will be a similar pattern in the Spring Term. The end of year exam in the Summer Term will also be structured on skills in translation, grammar and comprehension.
What will the current performance grade be based on and what do the levels mean?
Student performance in understanding grammar and its application to translation and comprehension is assessed regularly, both in class and homework exercises. The assimilation of prescribed vocabulary is an essential part of the course. The current performance grade encompasses all these elements. Students have an overview of the areas of assessment in their folders.
What should my daughter do if she feels she is struggling in the subject?
Your daughter should seek advice from her subject tutor who will help identify the precise aspect of the course that is presenting a problem and be able to suggest ways to aid understanding of grammar. Additional exercises in the course book may be set. The course website www.cambridgescp.com contains some very useful exercises to consolidate learning of vocabulary and grammar.
How can I support my daughter?
The best way to support your daughter is by taking an interest in her work in Latin. No prior knowledge is required! Indeed, if you have never studied Latin you might find it interesting for your daughter to share some of her learning with you, as this is a powerful way for her to reinforce her knowledge and understanding of the subject. Do offer to help with testing vocabulary. Look out for interesting online articles and television programmes about the classical world which can enlarge your daughter’s knowledge of those times.
What kind of independent work should my daughter be completing ?
Although your daughter will be set regular homework targeted at specific vocabulary and grammar, she needs to take responsibility for regular revision of all aspects of grammar. This is especially important for your daughter’s mastery of the first, second and third declension endings together with the verb endings.
Who can I contact for further advice and information ?
Ms Bongout has oversight of the twilight language courses and will be pleased to follow up any queries: pbongout@newsteadwood.co.uk