Literacy Through Latin
By the end of a year course in Latin, as well as promoting effectively the KS2 requirements in English
and others noted below, pupils will have a grasp of simple Latin, including:
*Basic vocabulary
*Knowledge of syntax and accidence (noun declensions and verb conjugations)
*Ability to translate simple Latin sentences into English
*Ability to translate simple sentences of English into Latin.
*A grasp of different tenses, moods and voices
*An understanding of Latin word families
*An understanding of word building
*A knowledge of prepositions and prepositional phrases.
*They will also have a good basic knowledge of a variety of cultural aspects of Ancient Rome, such
as myth, daily life, art, histories and religion.
The introduction of Latin into the KS2 school curriculum support its requirements in the following
ways:
ENGLISH
1. Writing:
1. Latin broadens vocabulary, enhances ability to construct sentences effectively, and deepens grasp
of meaning, aiding communication of ideas and thoughts.
2. Latin increases understanding of how to punctuate a sentence correctly.
3. Latin greatly increases knowledge of spelling, analysis of words into syllables and other known
words, knowledge of common letter strings, visual patterns and revision and building upon
knowledge of words and spelling patterns.
4. Latin greatly aids knowledge of meaning, use and spelling of common prefixes and suffixes, the
spelling of words with inflectional endings, the relevance of word families, and the roots and origin
of words.
5. Latin promotes knowledge of word classes, grammatical functions of words, including nouns,
verbs, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns, prepositions, conjunctions, articles; the features of different
sentences, including statements, questions and commands, and how to use them; the grammar of
complex sentences, including clauses, phrases and connectives.
2. Reading:
Latin greatly promotes grasp of phonemic and phonic knowledge, word recognition, graphic
knowledge, knowledge of grammatical structures and contextual understanding.
3. Speaking:
a) Latin helps vocabulary and syntax knowledge, enabling communication of more complex
meanings;
b) Drama-based activities involving myths encourage techniques of communication to an audience,
choice of relevant material for listeners, clear shape and organisation with an introduction and an
ending, audible speech and evaluation.
4. Listening:
a) Class discussion of Roman society and stories promotes identification of the gist of an account and
evaluation of it;
b) Class work on vocabulary identification and etymologies encourages relevant questioning and
following up ideas;
c) Presentations on aspects of Roman stories and culture through various media promotes recall of
information;
5. Class work on language awareness and myth nurtures appropriate responses to others' ideas and
opinions.
6. Group discussion and interaction:
a) Group activities such as preparation of plays on Roman themes encourages contributions and
taking turns in discussion, varying contributions, comments and evaluations, and qualification of
opinions;
b) Class activities such as mock Roman courts promotes polite dealings with opposing points of view,
taking up different roles and adapting them.
7. Drama:
a) Group work on creating plays based on Roman stories and scenarios promotes creation and
adapting of different roles, use of character, action and narrative to convey stories, themes,
emotions and ideas devised and scripted.
b) Performance and class discussion of plays will encourage evaluation of overall effectiveness.
8. Standard English:
Latin teaches in a clear and accessible way the grammatical constructions that are characteristic of
standard English and application of this knowledge in a range of contexts.