LATIN AT KEY STAGE TWO

Since 2006, we have been running free Latin courses on the school curriculum at KS2 for state primary schools across the cities of London and Oxford. The courses are designed to support and enhance KS2 curriculum strategies across subjects, particularly focussing on literacy and linguistic skills.

By the end of a year course in Latin, as well as promoting effectively the KS2 requirements in English and others noted below, pupils will have a grasp of simple Latin, including:

Basic vocabulary
Knowledge of syntax and accidence (noun declensions and verb conjugations)
Ability to translate Latin simple sentences into English
Ability to translate simple sentences of English into Latin.
A grasp of different tenses, moods and voices
An understanding of Latin word families
An understanding of word building
A knowledge of prepositions and prepositional phrases.

They will also have a good basic knowledge of a variety of cultural aspects of Ancient Rome, such as myth, daily life, art, histories and religion.

The introduction of Latin into the KS2 school curriculum support its requirements in the following ways:

ENGLISH

1. Writing:

1. Latin broadens vocabulary, enhances ability to construct sentences effectively, and deepens grasp of meaning, aiding communication of ideas and thoughts.

2. Latin increases understanding of how to punctuate a sentence correctly.

3. Latin greatly increases knowledge of spelling, analysis of words into syllables and other known words, knowledge of common letter strings, visual patterns and revision and building upon knowledge of words and spelling patterns.

4. Latin greatly aids knowledge of meaning, use and spelling of common prefixes and suffixes, the spelling of words with inflectional endings, the relevance of word families, and the roots and origin of words.

5. Latin promotes knowledge of word classes, grammatical functions of words, including nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns, prepositions, conjunctions, articles; the features of different sentences, including statements, questions and commands, and how to use them; the grammar of complex sentences, including clauses, phrases and connectives.

2. Reading:

Latin greatly promotes grasp of phonemic and phonic knowledge, word recognition, graphic knowledge, knowledge of grammatical structures and contextual understanding.

3. Speaking:

a) Latin helps vocabulary and syntax knowledge, enabling communication of more complex meanings;

b) Drama-based activities involving myths encourage techniques of communication to an audience, choice of relevant material for listeners, clear shape and organisation with an introduction and an ending, audible speech and evaluation.

4. Listening:

a) Class discussion of Roman society and stories promotes identification of the gist of an account and evaluation of it;

b) Class work on vocabulary identification and etymologies encourages relevant questioning and following up ideas;

c) Presentations on aspects of Roman stories and culture through various media promotes recall of information;

5. Class work on language awareness and myth nurtures appropriate responses to others' ideas and opinions.

6. Group discussion and interaction:

a) Group activities such as preparation of plays on Roman themes encourages contributions and taking turns in discussion, varying contributions, comments and evaluations, and qualification of opinions;

b) Class activities such as mock Roman courts promotes polite dealings with opposing points of view, taking up different roles and adapting them.

7. Drama:

a) Group work on creating plays based on Roman stories and scenarios promotes creation and adapting of different roles, use of character, action and narrative to convey stories, themes, emotions and ideas devised and scripted.

b) Performance and class discussion of plays will encourage evaluation of overall effectiveness.

8. Standard English:

Latin teaches in a clear and accessible way the grammatical constructions that are characteristic of standard English and application of this knowledge in a range of contexts.

MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGES

Latin is the root language for many other languages, and hence its introduction can facilitate language learning in many other languages, especially French, Spanish and Italian. The teaching of Latin involves an emphasis on grammatical training and linguistic analysis which provides a firm foundation for the learning of all other languages and particularly those languages which are directly linked to Latin. The main aim of teaching MFL is to develop children's linguistic competence. Lessons need to be regular and frequent so that previously learnt language can be reinforced and so that pupils can make good progress.

The teaching of Latin at key stage 2 offers opportunities for supporting the introduction of MFLs in the following ways:

* becoming increasingly familiar with the sounds and written form of another language;

* developing language skills and language-learning skills;

* understanding and communicating in a new language;

* making comparisons between Latin and English or another language;

* increasing their cultural awareness by learning about different countries and their people, and working with materials from those countries and communities;

* fostering positive attitudes towards foreign language learning;

* using their knowledge with growing confidence and competence to understand what they hear and read, and to express themselves in speech and in writing;

* forming a sound basis for further study at key stage 3 and beyond.

CROSS-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES

As well as the very obvious ways in which Latin can support and enhance the understanding and acquisition of languages, English and other, Latin can also enrich learning in subjects across the curriculum. The primary ways in which it can aid learning are:

* History: aspects of the history of the Roman empire are already incorporated into the KS2 curriculum. The learning of Latin will provide a broader context within which to explore and understand the Ancient World and its influences upon the modern.

* Geography: everything from names and places to why these names and places exist is covered by the learning of Latin at KS2. Basic understanding of cultures and how they affect geography as well as understanding of geographical terminology.

* Sciences: the vast majority of technical and scientific vocabulary derives directly from Classical languages, and so the learning of Latin will greatly enhance acquisition and understanding of these names and terms in every branch of science, be it biology, chemistry, geology, physics, medicine and many more. Likewise much of the basis of modern science and thought has its seeds in the science and philosophy of the Classical World, and a clear grasp of these beginnings of science can provide an exciting and helpful framework for scientific ideas.

* Art, Design and Technology: the study of the Classical World provides much opportunity for fascinating and useful innovations. From mosaic-making and pottery design, to Roman clothes design and painting, the curriculum can be enriched by the introduction of Classical ideas and models.

* ICT: Latin learning has produced a great range of learning facilities, in the form of the Cambridge Latin Project, amongst many others. These are splendid means of acquiring Latin alongside developing a competence in use of computers. It is a commonly accepted fact that the acquisition of Latin and Greek greatly increases competence in ICT, which involves adeptness at analytical thought and categorisation.

 

We believe that all children are entitled to the opportunity of learning about the languages and cultures of the ancient world, and that these subjects are wonderful tools for enhancing literacy, social awareness and analytical skills. Through a range of initiatives in UK state schools, we work to enrich the curriculum by promoting learning about the ancient world.