Latin GCSE GCSE

Latin GCSE GCSE

Qualification: Enrichment course with GCSE qualification

Course type: Level 2 (pre advanced)

Entry requirements:
Latin is an Enrichment course studied alongside your normal programme. It is only available to students who have qualified for an Advanced Level programme with 4 B grades at GCSE. The course is open to first or second year students, but the full GCSE requires two years' study.

Head of Department: Miss Julia Clayton

Course assessment:
During the first year of the course, which is based on Books 1 & 2 of the Cambridge Latin Course, students will be entered for two examinations run by the Cambridge Latin Project (Latin Graded Tests Level I and IIA). These are nationally recognised qualifications which act as stepping stones to GCSE. Each examination consists of two papers: a language paper and a civilisation paper. Students take the GCSE exam at the end of the second year of the course, typically doing three written exams and a piece of coursework.

What can this course offer me?
As most state schools no longer offer Classics as part of the curriculum, students at KGV are given the opportunity to study Latin completely from scratch. It will give you a fresh insight into the Classical and Medieval world, improve your English, help you understand the references in Harry Potter, and challenge your intellect in a rewarding way.

What will I learn?
This course is aimed at complete beginners. There are no oral examinations at any stage - this is therefore an ideal course for students who enjoy learning to read a language, but feel inhibited about speaking it! The focus is on learning to translate Latin into English, but we also study aspects of Roman civilisation, and study the works of Latin authors such as Virgil, Julius Caesar and Tacitus.

What Makes a good Latin GCSE student?
Successful Latin students tend to have good memories, pay attention to detail and are interested in the origins of English words. It helps to have a good track record in studying Modern Languages, especially reading & writing (listening is less important).

Which other courses link well with this subject?
As an enrichment course taken alongside A levels, Latin attracts a wide cross-section of students from across the College. Some students take it to complement their A level courses, such as Classics, Ancient History, Archaeology, Modern Languages or History), others to help with their intended degree subjects.

Future Opportunities
As an additional GCSE subject, taken with your AS/A2 subjects, Latin will enhance your CV or UCAS form with a very unusual qualification. It has helped many of our students to secure places on highly-competitive courses, such as the Classical Archaeology & Ancient History course at Oxford. Latin is also popular with university Admissions Tutors for courses in Ancient & Medieval History, Law, Medicine, Modern Languages, Philosophy and Biological Sciences.

Is there anything else I need to know?
According to our students, Latin is not an easy enrichment course, but it's one which offers great rewards. You will be expected to put the work in, and produce a translation each week for homework, but in return you will acquire a qualification which will impress employers and universities with your intellectual and analytical ability!