Head Of Department - Ms B Law, MA (Hons)(Auckland), TCDip, DipTchg
Email: b.law@kingscollege.school.nz
Staff - Mr J Jackson BA (Auckland) Dip. Hum.
Email: jd.jackson@kingscollege.school.nz
Why Take Latin?
For those interested in the Classical world, the major benefit from learning Latin (and also Greek) is the ability to read authors such as Cicero, Caesar and Virgil (or Plato) in their original tongue. A considerable amount of satisfaction and understanding is gained from reading the actual words of the great classical minds. However, the study of Latin has other advantages. Latin was not only the language of Ancient Rome. It was also the language of the early Christian Church and of mediaeval Europe, and it remained the international language of philosophy and science, right up to the nineteenth century. It is still a language of communication in the Vatican. The range of important works which we can read in the original Latin is very wide.
Latin is the source of more than 50% of modern English vocabulary. A knowledge of Latin provides an instant key to both the spelling and the meaning of the English 'Latinate' words, as well as assisting in the study of modern European languages. The ancient civilisations have given the modern European world the basis of its tradition in the fields of literature, art, architecture, philosophy and history; their study is an important part of a general education, and a knowledge of Latin enables that study to be at first hand.
A study of Latin develops linguistic, literary, critical, study and communication skills. It equips students with a wide English vocabulary and with skills needed for literary appreciation, logical thought, debating and public speaking. A study of Latin develops an awareness of European heritage and an understanding of different social, economic and political attitudes and values against which to measure our own.
So where does Latin lead?
Latin may be continued at most New Zealand Universities as part of an arts, education or law degree. Students who have completed a Year 13 course are able to commence University Latin at Stage Two level.
The knowledge and academic skills acquired during its study may be applied in the study of the sciences and medicine, and in the practice of law, teaching, business and management. A study of Latin enables a student to improve his/her craftsmanship in English; it gives a student an historical perspective and it adds an extra dimension to the study of literature, art and music. A knowledge of Latin increases the capabilities of anyone employed in a position which demands accuracy, logical thought and articulate speech.
Latin - Year Nine
Latin is compulsory for 9R and 9A1 in Year 9 and becomes an option for these boys in Year 10 and above. Year 9 provides an introduction to the Latin Language using Units I, IIA and IIB of the Cambridge Latin Course. Some supplementary study of the contribution of Latin to the English language and project work examining Roman Life is done. From the beginning emphasis is placed on correct Latin reading.
Latin - Year Ten
Units IIB and IIIA of the Cambridge Latin Course are followed. A variety of supplementary passages are used for extra reading. Latin reading and investigation of Latin used in English today continue, as well as research projects on aspects of Roman Civilisation.
The Year 10 class is given the opportunity to sit level one NCEA achievement standards, both internal and external.
Latin - Year Eleven
A variety of reading passages and grammatical exercises based on Level 1 NCEA is used in the first semester. Pupils will be given the opportunity to sit NCEA Level One or Two, both external and internal, if they so desire, but the main focus of this year is the CIE IGCSE course.
In Terms Three and Four, a start is made on the CIE IGCSE Latin course, which pupils sit in June of the Year 12 year. The information on this course is to be found under the Year 12 programme.
NCEA Level One (24 credits, of which 16 are externally achieved) | 90114 | Translate unfamiliar Latin Prose into English
6 Credits External | | 90115 | Read + Comprehend elementary unfamiliar Latin Prose
4 Credits External | | 90116 | Understand a familiar passage or passages from Latin literary texts
6 Credits External | | 90117 | Describe an aspect of Roman civilisation
6 Credits Internal | | 90118 | Describe the contribution of the Romans to one aspect of western civilisation
2 Credits Internal | |
If the students have reached the necessary academic level, they will be given the opportunity to sit Level Two NCEA achievement standards, both internal and external.
NCEA Level Two (24 credits, of which 14 are externally achieved) | 90259 | Translate unfamiliar narrative Latin Prose into English
6 Credits External | | 90260 | Read + Comprehend unfamiliar narrative Latin Prose
4 Credits External | | 90261 | Translate + Understand a familiar literary Latin passage from Virgil
4 Credits External | | 90262 | Demonstrate knowledge of familiar literary Latin passages on a given theme by at least 2 authors
4 Credits Internal | | 90263 | Examine familiar literary Latin passages within the wider context
6 Credits Internal | |
Latin - Year Twelve
The focus of this course is the reading of Latin literature in its historical and social context, supported by a programme of systematic acquisition of linguistic and reading skills. The following are the four areas of study:
- Linguistic studies
- Historical and social context
- Literary skills
- Heritage studies
A range of extracts (400 lines of unadapted Latin) is studied.
The reading of Latin aloud is taught and practised.
There is some essay work on historical and social context and on heritage studies.
There is no internal assessment.
Students attempting this course would normally have completed three years of Latin.
The Year 12 students sit the IGCSE Latin exam in June. In 2010 the set texts are:
Verse
The following sections from Two Centuries of Roman Poetry, eds E. C. Kennedy and A. R. Davis (Duckworth, July 2007):
Section 25, Virgil, The Shield of Aeneas (Aeneid VIII, ll 626–731).
Section 29, Ovid, Pyramus and Thisbe (Metamorphoses IV, ll 55-166).
Prose
Introducing Cicero, ed. The Scottish Classics Group (Bristol Classical Press, 2004):
Section 6: Verres the General.
Section 7: The Brilliance of Pompey.
The IGCSE exam consists of two papers:
- Translation into English and comprehension of a Latin passage
- Questions on the set texts studied in class
From July onwards, Year 12 students begin the AS Latin course, which runs for 18 months until the end of Year 13.
Students are also given the opportunity to sit NCEA Level Two External standards in November.
Latin - Year Thirteen
Year 13 completes the AS Latin course, begun in Year 12.
The purpose of the Year 13 course is to provide an understanding of some of the elements of Roman civilization, literature and language which have had a great influence on our own, to fire imagination and to deepen and develop experience by considering a wide range of issues, such as aesthetic, ethical, linguistic, political, religious and social questions.Its aims are to encourage students to:
1. develop, at an appropriate level, a competence in the language studied;
2. read, understand, appreciate and make a personal response to some of the literature in the original language;
3. acquire some understanding of the civilization within which the literature studied was produced;
4. develop a sensitive and an analytical approach to language by seeing English in relation to a language of very different structure and by observing the influence of Latin on English;
5. observe, abstract and analyse information paying due regard to evidence and develop a sympathetic awareness of the motives and attitudes of people of a different time and culture, while bearing in mind Rome's legacy to the modern world.
Year 13 is examined in the Cambridge AS exam.
The set texts consist of two parts, poetry and prose:
Poetry literature
The set text will alternate between:
odd years: Virgil Aeneïdos Book IV lines 1–30, 54–89, 129–172, 259–278 [omit 273], 296–396,
584–629, 642–671, 693–705;
even years: Virgil Aeneïdos Book II lines 1–56, 195–317, 624–649, 679–751, 771–804
Prose Literature
The set text will alternate between:
odd years: Livy Ab Urbe Condita Book I chapters 53 to 60 (omitting 55)
Paragraph 53 & paragraph 56 from Qui cum haud parvus … to … adaequare potuit
are to be studied in English.
even years: Caesar De Bello Gallico Book IV chapters 20 to 38
Paragraphs 27, 33 and 34 are to be studied in English.
There are two exams in November:
Paper 1 (2 hours)
Candidates must answer any two sections of Section A, Section B and Section C.
Section A
Candidates will be required to translate into English a passage or passages of approximately 120 words of unseen Latin prose. The author of the passage will be the same as that for Paper 2, Prose Literature.
Section B
Candidates will be required to translate into English a passage or passages of approximately 15 lines of unseen Latin verse. The author of the passage will be the same as that for Paper 2, Verse Literature.
Section C
Subsection 1: (20 marks) Candidates will be required to translate five out of eight Latin sentences and to identify and fully explain the grammar of the underlined words.
Subsection 2: (30 marks) Candidates will be required to translate ten out of fifteen English sentences into Latin.
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| Paper 2 (2 hours) Translation, appreciation and understanding of the Latin prose and verse set texts |
