Standard Grade Latin
Topics Taught
At Standard Grade, the course is divided into three elements: Translation; Interpretation; and Investigation. In S3 and S4 the Oxford Latin Course (Book 2) continues to be used for grammar work. Pupils are also issued with a grammar booklet, produced within the department, which contains both notes and practice exercises and they receive a separate booklet of homework exercises. Pupils at this stage learn more advanced grammatical rules (participles; subjunctive; passive verbs; indirect speech) and are exposed to full passages of Latin, adapted from Roman authors. For the first time, pupils in S3 read stories and poems by Roman writers in the original Latin. This exposure to Latin literature not only complements their translation work but gives them an insight into the various literary techniques employed in Latin literature: pupils are encouraged to assess the effectiveness of these techniques and to give some personal response to the text. The prescribed texts include Aulus Gellius: Androclus and the Lion; Ovid: Metamorphoses (The Lycian Peasants); Catullus and Martial: Poems; Seneca: Letters (Extract); Augustine: Confessions (Extract).Pupils also continue to develop their research skills in undertaking an investigation on a topic of their choosing. Their skills in collecting and presenting information, comparing ancient and modern societies and analysing primary sources are assessed through this element of the course, and it is graded externally.
Homework
Homework consists largely of learning grammar and translating Latin sentences and passages. Pupils will also be expected to answer questions on the prescribed texts.
Assessments (Internal and External)
In S3, formal assessment in translation is conducted on a termly basis, where pupils are asked to translate sentences, before progressing onto translating Latin passages.Assessments in interpretation are carried out on the completion of each prescribed text. The questions are similar to those which will be found in the final exam at the end of S3.The process is supplemented by examinations at the end of the session, where all of the authors studied will be assessed. A Latin passage will also be set for translation.Informal assessment occurs on an ongoing basis, and pupils are invited to evaluate their own progress at the end of each unit of work. In S4, the same pattern of assessment is followed, with an additional prelim exam. Pupils also submit an Investigation to SQA, which they have worked on during S3 and S4.
Next Steps
Pupils gaining a Credit pass at Standard Grade are eligible to work at Higher level in Latin in S5.