Latin OCR GCSE J282
All students are required to study one language paper, lasting 1 hour 30 minutes and which is worth 50% of the GCSE. Students answer both comprehension questions and translate passages of Latin into English. There are two literature papers, which each last 1 hour and each comprise 25% of the total GCSE. Both the Prose and Verse Literature involve the study of our chosen Latin set texts. In these examinations, students analyse, evaluate and respond to the ancient literature we have prepared together in class, practising answering questions in English and supporting ideas with brief Latin quotation from the texts printed on the paper.
Course outline Latin broadens minds in countless ways. Whilst beautiful for its own sake and remarkably relevant to the modern world, its study also develops a logical and analytical mind. Latin is highly regarded in any future career. appearing impressive on future applications - whether in law, medicine, journalism, the media, architecture, politics, science, or indeed, in any sphere. In their study of GCSE Latin, Year 10 continue with the Cambridge Latin Course, where Quintus visits our very own Roman city of Bath (Aquae Sulis) before embarking on further adventures in Chester. Students learn and are tested upon the defined GCSE vocabulary list and discover that they know much of the vocabulary already. Furthermore, as so much of the English language is derived from Latin, making connections between English and modern European words always serves to delight and enthral. By the end of their first year of the course, students have covered all the grammar needed to practise past language papers and access and appreciate the real Latin of the literature texts written two thousand years ago, which is the focus of Year 11.
The prose set texts are translated using the Cambridge Latin Anthology and are a literary treat. We study Tacitus’ ‘Messalina’, which is a shocking account of the emperor Claudius’ wife, her immoral behaviour and subsequent downfall. Contrasting this, we also study Pliny’s ‘avunculus meus’ which describes a day in the life of Pliny the Elder. The verse set text vividly describes Juno’s anger and a vicious storm sent to destroy Aeneas’ ships, from Book 1 of Virgil’s ‘Aeneid’, one of the most beautiful epic poems in western literature. The skills developed at GCSE ensure all students are ready to embrace more literary gems in both IB and A Level Latin.
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