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Latin

Jump to: Form 4 | Pre-Q | NCEA Level 2 | NCEA Level 3

Introduction

The Latin Department at Auckland Grammar School is the largest in New Zealand and among the largest in the world. The Latin curriculum in Forms 5, 6 and 7 prepares students for the study of both Classical Studies and Latin in the senior school. Those students who choose to terminate their study after Form 5 can claim a linguistic legacy which will support their future studies.

The study of Latin is not entirely linguistic. Historical, geographical and sociological aspects are addressed. Formal grammar is rigorously taught which will both enhance the knowledge of English and allow easier access to the learning of European languages. The study of Latin assists students enormously with the development of cognitive functions in the brain, improving facility with language, and gaining an appreciation of our Western cultural heritage.

A project display hosted in the Old Boys’ Pavilion has been a highlight for many years. Students create a raft of ancient Roman artefacts such as wax tablets, shields, mosaics and reconstructions of many aspects of Roman life. The most original and well-executed project is awarded an ancient Roman coin as a prize.

Form 4

Prerequisites: Form 3 Latin.

Course description/aims: A complete coverage of Latin accidence (word forms); an introduction to the main areas of syntax (sentence patterns).

Course outline:

  • Students in 4A – 4D or those students who studied from the course books in Form 3 will continue with these books. Students taking the Auckland Grammar School course should take option 6 Latin if possible
  • Students in 4E – 4R or those students who studied from the Cambridge Latin Course will continue with this course if numbers allow. Students taking the Cambridge Latin Course course should take option 5 Latin if possible

Methods of assessment: Three school examinations per year. Course work marks are gained from tests and assessments. A vocabulary booklet is available for all examinations throughout the year.

Continuation of subject: The subject is available at every level to Form 7 in at least one option line. Form 4 Latin provides a firm foundation for Form 5 Latin and beyond.

Form 5 (Pre-Q):

Prerequisites: A background of two years’ study of the language is essential for Form 5. It is important that students should already have been introduced to the passive, the subjunctive, and participles.

Course description/aims: It is intended that this course should lead into both Latin and Classics in the Senior School. The course has been tailored for those students who have a general interest in Roman History and who wish to develop their language awareness by learning formal grammar and by building up their Latin-based English vocabulary without having to acquire the listening and speaking skills of a modern language.

Course outline:

  • Unseen translation with a full vocabulary list provided [External]
  • Comprehension with a full vocabulary list provided [External]
  • Study of Latin poetry, including selected poems of Martial and Catullus [Internal, assessed during the Term 2 and 3 examinations]
  • Completion of a syntax course book on the Latin language [Internal, assessed over four tests during Terms 2 and 3]

The Pre-Q examination will examine an unseen translation, syntax, and the study of Caesar’s De Bello Gallico, at the end of Term 4.

Continuation of subject: A full Latin option is available at Form 6 and Form 7 (NCEA Level 2 or Level 3 Latin), although the credits generated are seldom of use to students taking Latin. On the basis of the Pre-Q Latin course, students will be able to return to NCEA Level 2 or 3, if they do not take Latin in Form 6.

Form 6 (NCEA Level 2):

Prerequisites: A background of three years’ studying the subject is essential for Form 6. It is important that students are already familiar with all tenses, moods and voices of regular and deponent verbs, all declensions of regular nouns, pronouns and adjectives, and elementary syntax.

Course outline:

  • 2.1 – Unseen translation with a full vocabulary list provided [External]
  • 2.2 – Comprehension with a full vocabulary list provided [External]
  • 2.3 – Study of Latin prose and poetry, including Caesar’s De Bello Gallico and Virgil’s Aeneid [Internal, assessed during the Term 3 examination]
  • 2.6 – Completion of a syntax course book on the Latin language [Internal, assessed over four tests during Terms 2 and 3]

Continuation of subject: This course leads directly on to Form 7 Latin and also provides introductory experience for Form 7 Classics.

Form 7 (NCEA Level 3):

Prerequisites: Form 5 and/or Form 6 Latin.

Course outline:

  • 3.1 – Prose unseen translation with a full vocabulary list provided [External]
  • 3.2 – Poetry comprehension with a full vocabulary list provided [External]
  • 3.3 – Study of Latin prose and poetry, including Caesar’s De Bello Gallico and Virgil’s Aeneid [Internal, assessed during the Term 3 examination]
  • 3.6 – Completion of a syntax course book on the Latin language [Internal, assessed over four tests during Terms 2 and 3]

Most students taking Latin in Form 7 will be expected to present for the NCEA Level 4 (NZQA Scholarship) Latin examination.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our staff today.

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