Latin was not only the language of the Roman people, but of the empire they built. It was thus not merely a descriptive tool, but a weapon – whether in a senator’s speech, on the lips of a diplomat, as a legal document or a work of poetry, Latin was used to take and hold power. In this subject students further develop their knowledge of Latin grammar, vocabulary and Roman civilisation; in so doing they begin to read more advanced Latin texts, and learn to think critically and creatively about language and how it encodes meaning.
In Year 10 students are taught to understand the Latin language for the purpose of reading Latin texts containing complex sentences. Their knowledge of Roman culture is deepened through translating texts of increasing length, complexity, and depth. Students become acquainted with more advanced linguistic building blocks of both English and Latin, and learn to analyse and interpret these structures.
Year 10 students complete parts 3 and 4 of the renowned Cambridge Latin Course
Part 3 focuses on the way Roman power politics could involve and affect the people they ruled, particularly in distant parts of the empire. Students learn to recognise and translate Latin participles and deponents, and further expand their core vocabulary.
Part 4 explores the social customs and values of the Roman elite, and what role these played in the creation of empire. Students become familiar with subjunctive verbs and the most common uses of the ablative case, as well as further developing their core vocabulary.
The following areas of study are assessed throughout the year:
vocabulary
grammar
translation
comprehension
Additionally, there are Semester 1 and 2 examinations.