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Issue link: https://thelinguist.uberflip.com/i/99426
OPINION & COMMENT Why kids need Classics CIOL member Rosemary Emmett discusses the rise of Latin and Ancient Greek in state primary schools At a time when cuts are being made to modern language courses, the news seems surprising, yet classical languages are returning to the schools curriculum. Latin, Greek and Classical Studies have always been part of the syllabus in independent schools, but in recent years the Cambridge Schools Classics Programme has done a lot to promote the subjects in state schools. The Cambridge Latin Series, which is the most widely-used Latin text in schools, now has an online version, and other Latin courses have been written for use at Key Stage 2 (ages 7-11). Their authors are teachers of Latin and Greek, who strongly feel that a knowledge of one or both languages can be of great benefit for modern language learning, and for life in general. Written by Classics teacher Barbara Bell, the Minimus Primary Latin Course has sold 130,000 copies since it was published in 1999, and has been taken up by primary schools in the USA and Italy. Some state primary Latin classes were offered during out-of-school hours, but this is changing, with Latin being incorporated into English literacy classes in the curriculum from Year 4. Most courses are now taught by volunteers, including former teachers, university students and new graduates. The Iris Project was set up in 2006 to promote the Classics in state schools. The educational charity���s current focus is on schools in deprived urban areas, and it is running Boris Johnson���s Love Latin Scheme, which recruits volunteers to teach Latin and ancient culture in such schools. The London Mayor is a passionate advocate for Latin (���it delivers lasting value���) and all things classical. In 2012, students from Swansea University���s Department of History and Classics began teaching the Iris course to pupils in Years 5 and 6. A mixture of teaching methods is used to engage children, with games, songs, crafts, drama and bingo, as well as grammar 26 The Linguist exercises. When I teach the course, I find the children���s excitement towards Latin and the classical world very uplifting. They are communicative, engrossed and keen for more, and love discovering the Latin roots of English words. The fact that the word mater comes down to us in ���maternity��� recently caused an eight-year-old pupil to remark ���Latin is an amazing language!���. Pupils not only acquire the languages, but also develop broader language-learning skills. According to Iris���s Founding Director, Lorna Robinson: ���As Latin word-roots of English are discussed and learned, the children grow in confidence as they understand what they hear and read, and then are able to express themselves in speech and writing.��� The teaching of Ancient Greek is a newer venture; Iris set up its programme in 2010. Again, it is taught by volunteers and graduates. Iris introduces Greek into the curriculum in Year 6, when children are excited by the challenge of learning a new alphabet. At this stage, the language ���successfully connects with other aspects of the school curriculum, ranging from history and geography, drama, art and sport, DECEMBER/JANUARY WINNING FORMULA Pupils have a Latin lesson at the Emirates stadium, home to Arsenal FC through to the sciences of physics, chemistry and biology,��� says Dr Robinson. Although the volunteering aspect is going well, sustained teaching of the Classics in the curriculum will need more trained teachers. As is the case with modern languages, this means a recognition of the value of such programmes by the Ministry of Education. There seems to be a growing acceptance of the importance of classical languages, with frequent conferences and other networking opportunities, including the annual London Classics Festival in February. Via Finland���s national Yleisradio radio station, it is possible to hear up-to-the-minute international news in Latin from anywhere in the world. The Classics might not (yet) be totally mainstream, but they are well on their way. Useful resources www.irisonline.org.uk www.minimus-etc.co.uk http://yle.fi/radio1/tiede/nuntii_latini. www.iol.org.uk