Classics, Latin and Greek
Latin was the language of the ancient Romans, but today, about a quarter of the world’s population still keep Latin alive in their speech with languages directly descended from Latin. Over half of English words come from Latin, and all pupils at Hazelwood enjoy the benefits of getting a grasp of this most influential of languages from Year 5. Pupils first begin their study of Latin using Minimus, a brand new coursebook designed to give young pupils confidence in the workings of the Latin language through the adventures of a mouse that lives with a family on Hadrian’s Wall. Greek mythology and the influence of the Romans on Britain are explored, and the language is introduced in a graduated yet accessible way, with the emphasis firmly on exploring the lasting influence that Latin has had on English.
In Year 6, some pupils follow the Cambridge Latin Course, which contains stories based around gladiators, the theatre and the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in Pompeii. However, pupils in the accelerated sets use an in-house coursebook, Discenda (volumes I-IV) which guides them through the vocabulary and grammar required at Common Entrance and Scholarship level. The course was written over a period of three years and is ever evolving to meet the needs of syllabus changes and up to date examination requirements. The course aims to be rigorous, but rewarding. It is hoped that the range of material available to each student, together with continual revision and consolidation, and digressions into areas of ancient life, proves stimulating and worthwhile and helps him or her to progress confidently towards their chosen examination.
Classical Greek is also an option for potential Scholars – over a three year course – or Common Entrance candidates, who have a one year course in their final year. This course forms a natural compliment to the Latin and candidates who are strong in one tend to be strong in the other. The Greek coursebook, Hellenikon (volumes I-IV) has again been generated in-house, and the first volume is also commercially available through the ISEB as a textbook for Common Entrance Level 1. Pupils enjoy the novelty of working with a new alphabet and the intellectual challenge of learning a language so unlike any other. Knowledge of vocabulary and grammar is built up very quickly and the course – as well of being of real intrinsic value – has provided a firm foundation for further success at GCSE and beyond when pupils reach their senior schools.
Classics is alive and kicking at Hazelwood, and we aim to explore the potential of every pupil in Latin and Greek to the maximum.
