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Original poster

Cambridge Latin Course

35 replies

Star555 · 28/04/2020 15:27

When students in the UK first learn Latin using the Cambridge Latin Course, don't they already know about Ancient Rome and Roman Britain from primary school history lessons? So these topics don't strike them as totally new and unfamiliar when they read about them in their Latin books, right?

I've been looking at the school curriculum for our school in the US, and it seems that students who choose to study Latin (beginning in 7th/8th grade) are exposed to those history topics for the first time then as well (in Latin class, not history class). So they must not only digest new Latin grammar but also simultaneously new history topics that they were never taught before! (Only American history is taught in primary school.)

OP posts:
Original poster
Star555 · 28/04/2020 15:51

@Lordfrontpaw - I see, that makes sense! What year does his school officially begin Latin in class?

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Lordfrontpaw · 28/04/2020 15:50

Really with Duolingo? I’ll have a wee word with DS’s teacher about that (I suspect he just thought ‘oh well they have Latin’ and hadn’t checked it out).

Lordfrontpaw · 28/04/2020 15:49

He started learning because these was a Latin club at school (the head was a classics teacher) and he absolutely loved it (he’s like his dad - good at languages). He is (was) sitting his GCSE this year.

Original poster
Star555 · 28/04/2020 15:48

@Imtootired please see cambridgescp.com for details. I believe the content is available for free online.

I myself learned Latin using the physical Cambridge Latin textbooks when I was young. Do NOT use Duolingo! It has loads of mistakes, and very often does not accept correct translations. Hopefully in the future they will improve it. Also do NOT use Google Translate in Latin--it is abysmally poor.

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Lordfrontpaw · 28/04/2020 15:47

Duolingo - yes DS’s Latin teacher recommended that. You could start with Minimus! I was learning Italian when DS started and switched as I liked the sound of it. You can get all sorts of books in Latin these days (Harry Potter, Winnie the Pooh...).

The school uses this book series - www.amazon.co.uk/Latin-GCSE-Henry-Cullen-Taylor/dp/1780934408/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?dchild=1&s=books&keywords=latin+gcse&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1588085210&sr=1-1

Original poster
Star555 · 28/04/2020 15:44

@Lordfrontpaw - Wow, isn't year 3-4 very early for starting Latin, even in the UK? (In the US it would be unheard of for schools to offer Latin before 7th grade, i.e. Year 8, age 12 or so.)

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Imtootired · 28/04/2020 15:44

Im sorry for jumping on your thread but is this course a free one? I’ve studied Italian and some ancient history at a university level and now wish I’d done Latin so I could do further study in ancient history. Does anyone know of any good free resources for Latin? I have Duolingo I could use that too

Lordfrontpaw · 28/04/2020 15:41

Ds started Latin in about year 3 or 4 and he knew about the Romans then. Not 100% certain it was from school or home though (not much help sorry).

Original poster
Star555 · 28/04/2020 15:38

I see! I thought UK students study Romans and Roman Britain at an older age as well, around age 9-10 or so. Those topics are part of KS2 history, right? I thought KS2 was ages 7-11 and those topics would be (re)visited closer to age 10? Thank you.

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NoIDontWantToBuildASnowman · 28/04/2020 15:32

They do know a little bit but, on average, 4-5 years have passed between learning about the Romans at age 7 (ish) and starting latin at age 12 (ish).

I’m a latin teacher in the U.K. and like that the context is slightly familiar - you’ve got a knowledge base to work with and deepen.

So yes you’re right, but don’t underestimate how mucho students can forget between primary school and secondary school!