The Department of History and Classics (Swansea University)
in collaboration with the Iris Project,
the South West Wales Reaching Wider Project, and the South West Wales Classical Association
Literacy through Classics: Student Work Placement
Information for Students
The Project
The Iris Project is a charity which brings Classics to primary and secondary schools in the UK. As part of its
mission, it runs a very successful Literacy through Latin project, in which students from various universities
teach Latin to local primary and secondary school pupils, with the aim of improving young people’s literacy
skills. The national Literacy through Latin project was nominated for the prestigious EU Language Label 2013,
which demonstrates the impact of the project, not only nationwide but also internationally.
In October 2011, the Department of History and
Classics (Swansea University) started working
together with the Iris Project and we set up the
first Literacy through Latin project in Wales. We
piloted the project in a local primary school
with sixty-five pupils between 9 and 11 years
old being taught by eight students. The
feedback was immensely positive, and since
then, about 140 students have taught
approximately 500 pupils in the local area. We
now also teach ancient history with a focus on
literacy, so you don’t need to know Latin or
Greek.
Jack Mullins teaching Latin basketball
We reimburse all travel costs of our student volunteers, as well as all the teaching materials. Our students
are trained by Swansea University, the Iris Project, the South West Wales Reaching Wider Partnership, and
other teaching organisations. All students are also DBS-checked (former CRB).
Why Teach Latin/Classics?
In an increasingly competitive market, having any kind of work experience always works in your favour.
Having teaching experience is not only beneficial for students who wish to become teachers, but also for
anyone who wishes to go into a graduate programme. Employers nowadays look for skills that can be
applied across a wide range of jobs, such as leadership skills, oral presentation confidence, time
management, effective communication with employers, peers and the community, among others.
Receiving formal training, having a group of peers to support and engage with, and teaching valuable skills to
young people, all look good on a C.V.
However, more than anything else, this project offers you, as well as the pupils, a lot of fun. Bring out your
inner child and let children sing songs, solve puzzles, tell stories, and play games. You’ll be guided through
the whole process by the Project Coordinator – you’re not on your own in this.
Student Feedback from previous years:
“Although the class was not really used to
activity and games at the beginning, they
started having fun and seeing this project as
a way of discovering the Ancient world. As
these pupils were already aware of a chunk
of Welsh and French we can link these
languages with English and, indeed, Latin.
Several workshops by experts made it
happen that not only the children at school
but also we could develop in a positive way
through this project.” Alex Hoffelner, level 1
“Being part of the Literacy through Latin
project has been an amazing experience.
It's so rewarding to know that you are
helping pupils to improve their skills and
knowledge. It has taught me so much about
Student volunteers get training at Swansea Metropolitan University
myself and my own abilities too and has
helped in my own learning as well.” Vicci Stokes, level 2
“I have really enjoyed the Literacy through Latin project, as it has allowed me to share my understanding of
Latin with young enthusiastic children! I have had to teach confidently in front of a class as well as dedicate
much time and thought into working with my fellow teachers to create a fun and educational lesson plan for
each lesson. I believe that the project has improved my eloquence, as you must make Latin as clear as
possible to the children, lest they misunderstand.” Jenny Blake, level 3
“The project has been an extremely positive experience for me in several ways. Not only has it increased my
understanding of the language and the methods behind the learning process from a teacher’s point of view,
but it has shown me how to transmit my knowledge of the subject to others. The experience has solidified
my ambition to become a teacher and has given me invaluable teacher training experience which can only
increase my employability. There are several practical skills that I have been able to improve upon whilst a
part of the project, such as time management in relation to the class organization, working effectively within
a group in preparing the lesson plans and transmission of these plans to a class in an interesting and
effective manner.” Jack Mullins, MA level
Q&A:
1) Do I need to know Latin/Greek to join the project?
No. Students who have taken Latin for one term are invited to take part in the Literacy through Latin
project, which teaches Latin. Students who have not studied Latin can either work as Teaching
Assistants or teach ancient history, depending on your timetable availability.
2) How often do I teach?
If you’re a volunteer, you’ll go into a school one hour every two weeks. I don’t want the volunteering
experience to take away from students’ own learning. If you take the Work Placement module in
year 2 or 3, you’ll be teaching every week.
3) Do I have to make all my own lesson materials?
That depends. A syllabus has been created, and you’ll be asked to send all your lesson plans to the
Project Coordinator before every class. However, you’re welcome to adapt lesson plans to suit the
interests of the class and the school.
4) Do I get paid for the teaching?
Students work as volunteers, but all
your travel costs are reimbursed, all
class materials are provided, and all
photocopying is done for you.
5) I
study
History/English/Media
Studies/Politics. Can I teach too?
Yes. We always have a number of
students from outside our department
going into schools as teaching
assistants.
6) I want to apply for a PGCE. Do you offer
any help with my application?
Rhiannon Birdsall and Beth Flynn teaching Latin spells at Halloween
Yes, we offer sessions on how
to write a good application and we hold
mock interviews which so you can learn how to give a good presentation.
7) What other teaching experience can I get in the Department?
We organise an Ancient Languages in the Park project, at which students from our Department
teach
Latin,
ancient
Greek,
and
Hieroglyphs
during
the
Summer.
See:
http://swwclassicalassociation.weebly.com/ancient-languages-in-the-park.html
Pupil feedback from previous years:
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‘I loved every single lesson’.
‘I liked the mock test because I like being challenged and learning new things’.
‘The Latin class I found most exciting was the lesson where we looked at the first Harry Potter book
in Latin, English and Welsh’.
‘I liked the last lesson before Easter because of the song and the Easter egg hunt’.
‘I liked the songs because I now know ‘Reach for the stars’ in Latin’.
‘Learning about the verbs: past tense and the future tense’.
Website
Our website, made by students: http://ltlresources.weebly.com hosts all the resources created by our
students again, as well as lots of images of the project. There are also blog posts from the students on their
experience in the programme.
How to get involved
If you would like to get involved, fill in the application form and send it to the Project Coordinator, Dr Evelien
Bracke (e.bracke@swansea.ac.uk) or put it under my door (James Callaghan 139).
1. Lots of photos of the project can be found on the Facebook page of the SWW Classical Association:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/South-West-Wales-ClassicalAssociation/121485431289104?id=121485431289104&sk=photos_stream
2. University news: http://historyclassics.wordpress.com/2013/01/16/the-literacy-through-latinproject-is-expanding/
3. The Iris Project: http://irisproject.org.uk/index.php/projects/literacy-through-latin/55-south-westwales-latin
4. Our website: www.ltlresources.weebly.com
Rhiannon Terrett and Phillip Myers teaching Latin in the Park
Department of History and Classics
Literacy through Classics Project
APPLICATION FORM
Please delete what is not applicable.
Name:
Level:
Student number:
Mobile phone no.:
DBS-checked by
Discovery?
Level of Latin/Greek?
Which project do you
wish to get involved
in?
Please delete what is
not applicable.
Yes
- No
Latin: Beginners - Intermediate - Further - Advanced
Greek: Beginners - Intermediate - Further - Advanced
n/a
-
Literacy through Latin: Semester 1 / Semester 2
Literacy through Greek: Semester 1 / Semester 2
Literacy through Classics: Semester 1 / Semester 2
Ancient Languages in the Park: Latin / Greek / Hieroglyphs
Tell us, in a few
sentences, why you
would like to take
part in the
volunteering project,
and e.g. if you have
any prior
teaching/volunteering
experience.
Do you have a car?
Yes
- No