New A-Level league tables to rank key subjects preferred by leading universities

With bated breath:

“The list of “key subjects” or so-called “facilitating subjects” includes : maths, further maths, English literature, physics, biology, chemistry, geography, history and modern or classical languages. 

Follow the story here:

Ars longa, Twitter brevis? Pope tweets in Latin

From The Times:

“It’s only one quote from the Book of Micah, but the Pope’s latest foray into social media has set the Twitterverse, well, a-twitter.”

Whilst some of us steadfastly continue to resist the dubious appeal of Twitter, the Pontiff has apparently baffled many of his 5000 or so followers with his first tweet in Latin …

The story and the Tweet  is here:

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/faith/article3663600.ece

More primary schools to offer Latin and ancient Greek

Good news!

Latin and ancient Greek are to make a comeback in state schools under Government plans to introduce compulsory language lessons for seven-year-olds.

All primary schools will be expected to teach foreign languages to pupils from 2014 as part of a major drive to boost education standards, it emerged.

At least one subject from a seven-strong shortlist – French, German, Spanish, Italian, Mandarin, Latin and ancient Greek – will be offered to seven- to 11-year-olds.

The move – outlined in a consultation document published by the Department for Education – could result in a major rise in the number of pupils studying the classical languages at a young age.

According to officials, Latin and ancient Greek were included to “give primary schools further options”, with claims that they can provide a good grounding in grammar, syntax and vocabulary which can boost pupils’ understanding of other modern languages.

It comes after a major study found that schoolchildren in England were less likely to study foreign languages to a decent standard than in any other European country.

Read the full story from The Daily Telegraph here:  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/9683536/More-primary-schools-to-offer-Latin-and-ancient-Greek.html#

 

All Greek to them – in New South Wales

classics back in vogue as schools embrace languishing languages:

“The classics are enjoying a revival in NSW high schools and universities, reflecting a similar trend in England where Boris Johnson’s Latin in London scheme is one of several initiatives to bring classical languages into more lives.

Latin is now the most popular language at the school, which is considering offering classical Greek as well. ”Why it has exploded the way it has, I don’t know,” she said. ”They just fall in love with it.”

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/all-greek-to-them-classics-back-in-vogue-as-schools-embrace-languishing-languages-20111016-1lrfe.html#ixzz1bLSg8xRo

 

Cicero in Verrem

Of particular and immediate interest to those of us teaching A Level Latin this year is this initiative from Open Book Publishers which, as their Marketing Manager, Gabriele Civiliene explains  is

 ” an innovative, non-profit , Open Access publisher run by academic scholars based at the University of Cambridge. For our website go to http://www.openbookpublishers.com/ 

 We are soon to publish the book that might be of interest to the members of the bloggers of ARLT – that is, Cicero, Against Verres, 2.1.53–86: Latin Text with Introduction, Study Questions, Commentary and English Translation by Prof Ingo Gildenhard from the Department of Classics and Ancient History, Durham University. (For a copy of the PDF flyer featuring this title go to the ARLT website.)  The book will be available in 3 formats – digital, hardback, and paperback. Its complete version will be also available for free access direct from our website on Google Books. Read more about it here:

http://www.openbookpublishers.com/product.php/96/7/cicero–against-verres–2-1-53-86–latin-text-with-introduction–study-questions–commentary-and-english-translation

Gabriele Civiliene
Marketing Manager
http://www.openbookpublishers.com
For our latest catalogue : https://www.openbookpublishers.com/shopimages/LatestCatalogue.pdf

the greatest renaissance in Latin learning since Julius Caesar invaded

Michael Gove: Secretary of State for Education

It is a source of considerable pride to me that the number of students studying Latin in comprehensives is the highest ever. We are presiding over the greatest renaissance in Latin learning since Julius Caesar invaded. [ Interruption. ] Those who are about to answer should be saluted, as we say in Latin. The critical thing is that we have to ensure that our examinations in every subject are up there with the best in the world. It is striking that before he went to university, one of the iconic figures of the 21st century—Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook—studied Latin, Greek and classical Hebrew.

Education Questions:  July 2011

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm110711/debtext/110711-0001.htm#11071115000503  column 19

“There’s been a Latin teacher in this building since 1843. I refuse to be the last.”

December 28th 2010

From parentcentral.ca

“Latin lovers fight to keep the Latin language in Ontario’s schools:

Here are some things that Amy Liu knows, for 10 points each:

From its Latin derivatives, a ventriloquist is someone who speaks from their belly instead of their lips. Something “marmoreal” is made out of marble. The Ancient Romans’ word for greed was avaritia.

Amy is 17.  Actually, it’s her 17th birthday, and she’s chosen to spend it at the Certamen………”

It’s the familiar story…… young person enjoys learning Latin and appreciates how it will be of benefit. Parents support and encourage its study. Universities and educators acknowledge its value – yet somehow it just has to go.  Too expensive?  Not relevant?  Too elitist? Sound familar?!

The whole article is here, with some reassuring counter-arguments: http://www.parentcentral.ca/parent/education/schoolsandresources/article/911126–latin-lovers-fight-to-keep-the-language-in-ontario-s-schools

Classics and Employability

What’s the point of a Classics degree? Will it get you a job?  Are you employable after doing a Classics degree?   Here is a short video clip produced by Roehampton University, which might suggest some answers.  (with thanks to Dr Kathryn Tempest, who put the clip together) 

http://www.youtube.com/roehamptonuniversity#p/u/6/_trSV7ghvi0

Keeping Latin alive

From Kaitlyn Cole who works with with Onlineuniversities.com.

We recently published an article that you may be interested in entitled, “50 Fun and Educational Websites Keeping Latin Alive“.

I thought perhaps you’d be interested in sharing this article with your readers? After having followed your blog for a while, I feel that this one article would align well with your blog’s subject matter. If interested, here’s the link for your convenience: http://www.onlineuniversities.com/blog/2010/06/50-fun-and-educational-websites-keeping-latin-alive/

Well worth a look!

Lucy and Boris support the push for Latin

LBC Radio has been airing discussion on the merits of re-instating Latin into the curriculum in State schools , to rank alongside modern European languages such as French and Spanish. The push came from an interview they did with Boris Johnson. Apparently Boris made a joke that he secretly would like to be Education Secretary and if he were he would make Latin a Modern Language on the National Curriculum! They debated whether it should be and why room should be made for Latin in preference to other languages such as Chinese.  As a follow-up, LBC then interviewed Lucy Benson, teacher of Latin at King Edward’s G.S. Chelmsford.  Subsequent  comments from pupils who had or who were studying it were generally very positive. You can listen to Lucy’s interview here.