Greek (Classical) GCSE GCSE

Greek (Classical) GCSE GCSE

Qualification: Enrichment course with GCSE qualification

Course type: Level 2 (pre advanced)

Entry requirements:
Greek is an Enrichment course studied alongside your normal AS/A2 programme. To study Greek, students must qualify for an Advanced programme at KGV (4 x B grades at GCSE). The course is open to first and second years, but you must do two years' study to get a GCSE.

Head of Department: Miss Julia Clayton

Course assessment:
The course is taught entirely from scratch and 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! During the first year of the course, students will be entered for the four EMACT examinations. These are nationally recognised qualifications which act as stepping stones to GCSE. In addition to learning the language and studying the impact of Greek on English vocabulary, you will be reading some Greek texts in their original language, such as Xenophon's description of the constitution of Sparta. In the second year students take the GCSE, which consists of three exams.

What can this course offer me?
KGV is one of the few sixth form colleges in Britain to offer students the opportunity to study Classical Greek from scratch. The course is open to any first or second year students studying advanced level courses at the College, and you may choose to study Greek for one year or two. However, please note that you will require two years of study to reach GCSE standard in Greek; any student intending to take the GCSE exam will therefore need to start the course when they join College in their first year.
Studying Greek gives you the opportunity to explore one of the oldest European languages - still in use today, in a modified form - and to understand the contribution of Greek culture and politics to our modern world. Many students have said that although Greek was only their "enrichment" course, taken in addition to their A level programme, it became the highlight of their week and inspired them to carry on with Greek after leaving KGV.

What will I learn?
Greek offers you the chance to challenge your intellect with a demanding yet highly rewarding subject. It will help you to get closer to the ancient world by reading Classical authors in their original language. Studying Greek will improve your understanding of English spelling, grammar and vocabulary. For Classics students, it offers the chance to study authors (e.g. the female poet Sappho) and topics that do not feature on the AS/A2 Classical Civilisation or Ancient History courses, as well as reading some authors, such as Homer, who are studied on the Classics syllabus. Greek also complements the study of modern foreign languages at AS/A2.

What Makes a good Greek (Classical) GCSE student?
Studying Greek requires the use of logic, so students who excel in Greek are usually those who enjoy puzzles and problems. An interest in languages and their history is also helpful, along with a good memory, attention to detail and not being scared of grammar!

Which other courses link well with this subject?
Most students who study Classical Greek are also taking Ancient History or Classical Civilisation at A level. However, students studying Biology, Chemistry, English and Modern Languages have also enjoyed studying Greek in the past.

Future Opportunities
As the teaching of Greek within the state education system is so rare, GCSE Classical Greek will enhance your CV or UCAS form with a highly unusual qualification. It provides an excellent foundation for studying Classics or Ancient History at university; studying Greek has helped many of our students to secure places on highly-competitive courses such as the Classical Archaeology & Ancient History course at Oxford (in 2008, every student on the second year of the GCSE Greek course obtained a place at Oxford). Greek is also popular with university Admissions Tutors for courses in Medicine, Biological Sciences, Modern Languages and Philosophy.

Is there anything else I need to know?
The GCSE Greek exam involves two compulsory papers (one Language Paper and one Homer paper). Students then have the option to take a paper on Prose Set Texts (currently we study the Death of Cleopatra), sit an exam on an aspect of Greek Civilisation, or write a 2000-word coursework essay.