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Latin is available as IGCSE from Cambridge or GCSE from OCR or Eduqas. All options are 100% exam based.


CAIE IGCSE Latin[]

CAIE IGCSE Latin page and specification

  • Exams from: June 2020
  • Available in June
  • Specification code: 0480

Subject Content[]

Component 1: Language - Students study vocabulary and syntax

Component 2: Literature - Students study a prescribed verse and a prescribed prose text. Thes change every few years.

Assessment[]

100% exam based.

  • Paper 1 - Language - 1hr 30 mins - 160 marks - 50%
    • In Section A, candidates translate a passage of Latin prose into English. 
    • In Section B, candidates answer comprehension questions on a passage of Latin prose and give four English words which derive from given Latin words.
  • Paper 2 - Literature - 1hr 30 mins - 80 marks - 25%
    • This paper contains two passages from each of the prescribed texts with questions on each passage.
    • Questions test comprehension, translation, scansion and appreciation of the literature.

Resources[]

There are no endorsed textbooks for the IGCSE specification. It might be worth looking at materials from the Cambridge Schools Project.

Past papers can be found on the specification pages or sites such as papacambridge. Each series has 3 sets of papers available. These are because they were sat in different time zones. They are the same syllabus and useful for practice.

OCR GCSE Latin[]

OCR GCSE Latin page and specification

  • Exams from: June 2019
  • Available in June
  • Specification code: J282

Subject Content[]

Content is broken down into 6 components. Candidates must study Component 1, then any 2 from Components 2-6

Component 1: Language

This is a compulsory component.

Students build their knowledge of vocabulary and linguistic structures and should become familiar with the vocabulary in the defined vocabulary list (DVL) and prescribed syntax and accidence. A restricted vocabulary list (RVL) and restricted grammar list (RGL) will be provided for the translation of the English sentences into the ancient language.

Component 2-6: Literature/Literature and Culture

These are optional components consisting of 2 prose options (components 2 and 3), 2 verse options (components 4 and 5) and 1 literature and culture option (component 6). Candidates choose any 2.

The literature units are based on prescribed set texts or groups of texts of 110-120 lines. They change every 2 years.

The literature and culture option is designed to develop learners’ knowledge and understanding of Roman civilisation and culture through the study of ancient literature and other ancient source material. Learners should study the prescribed ancient source material in the ‘Prescribed Sources Booklet’ for both of the topic areas set in any given year. The combination of topics changes every 2 years.

Assessment[]

100% exam based.

  • Paper 1 - Language - 1hr 30 mins - 100 marks - 50%
    • Compulsory Paper
    • Section A consists of 30 marks. Based on an unseen passage that recounts a story drawn from mythology or Roman domestic life.
    • Section B consists of 70 marks. The unseen passages will recount a story or stories drawn from history. 20 marks will be available for answering comprehension questions in English. 50 marks will be available for translating a passage of unseen Latin of at least 90 words into English.
  • Papers 2/3/4/5 - Literature Options - 1hr - 50 marks - 25%
    • Optional papers - candidates sit 2 of papers 2-6
    • Learners will be asked to translate a short passage of the set text from Latin into English and answer comprehension questions.
    • They will also be required to answer analysis questions and an extended response, which draws upon material from the set text.
  • Paper 6 - Literature and Culture - 1hr - 50 marks - 25%
    • Optional paper - candidates sit 2 of papers 2-6
    • Questions will require learners to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the materials in the ‘Prescribed Sources Booklet’ and their own study as well use the unseen sources provided in the insert booklet for the assessment.

Resources[]

Textbooks

Latin textbook OCR

Latin to GCSE Part 1; By Henry Cullen and John Taylor. Published by Bloomsbury

Latin to GCSE Part 2; By Henry Cullen and John Taylor. Published by Bloomsbury

OCR Essential Latin by John Taylor

OCR Latin Stories by Cullen, Dormant and Taylor

Past papers

Past papers can be accessed through the specification page or here

Websites

OCR Resources - vocabulary lists, literature guides and prescribed sources

Bloomsbury Publishing - Resources linked from the textbook

WJEC/Eduqas GCSE Latin[]

For Latin the spec is the same for Wales (WJEC) and England (Eduqas)

  • Exams from: June 2018
  • Available in June
  • Specification code: C990PA or C990PB

Specification code varies depending on option chosen for component 3

Subject content[]

Components 1 and 2 are compulsory, candidates choose from component 3A or 3B

Component 1: Language - Students need to cover prescribed vocabulary, syntax and accidence.

Component 2: Literature and Sources (Themes) - This covers 2 themes, which change every 3 years. Each theme, comprising both prose and verse, is accompanied by a selection of prescribed ancient source materials (e.g. paintings, mosaics, sculptures, buildings, graffiti) on which one or more questions will be asked. Candidates will answer choose to answer questions on 1 theme.

Component 3A: Latin Literature (Narratives) - There will be a choice of two narratives, one prose and one verse. Each narrative contains a continuous passage of Latin and approximately the same amount in an English translation.  The narratives change every 2 years.

OR

Component 3B: Roman Civilisation - There will be a choice of two topics. Each topic has 5 subtopics listed in the specification.  The topics change every 3 years.

Assessment[]

100% exam based.

  • Paper 1 - Language - 1hr 30 mins - 100 marks - 50%
    • Compulsory Paper
    • Section A consists of a range of short comprehension questions testing understanding of the storyline and translation of a passage from Latin into English, with a gradation of difficulty,  
    • Section B consists of either translation from English into Latin or the permitted alternative, i.e. recognise, analyse and explain items of syntax and accidence
  • Paper 2 - Literature and Sources (themes) - 1hr 15 minutes - 60 marks - 30%
    • Compulsory paper
    • A prescription of Latin literature, both prose and verse, on a theme together with prescribed ancient source materials on the same theme.   
    • A choice of one of two themes is offered.   
    • This is an open-book assessment. Candidates will be provided with a copy of the resource booklet.
  • Paper 3A /3B- Latin Literature (narratives) or Roman Civilisation - 1hr - 40 marks - 20%
    • Optional paper - candidates sit either 3A or 3B
    • 3A - A choice of one of two narratives (one verse, one prose) is offered.  This is an open-book assessment. Candidates will be provided with a copy of the resource booklet.
    • 3B - A choice of one of two topics on aspects of Roman Civilisation is offered.

Resources[]

There isn't a textbook specific to the Eduqas course but it is closely linked to the Cambridge Schools Project.

CGP publishes revision guides.

Eduqas has a key documents section on the spec page with source booklets and other useful resources.

Past papers can be accessed through the specification page or here.

Resources[]

Cambridge Latin Course

Galore Park publish a range of Latin materials and are very home-ed friendly.

Association for Latin Teaching

Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions project

Romans in Focus

History books by Peter Connolly  are very useful for Roman Civilisation topics.

The Classics Library is aimed at Classics teachers, but would also be useful for home-ed families.  Includes discussion forums on each syllabus/exam board.

Memrise Latin Courses

World History Encyclopaedia

The Classical Association

Minimus - generally aimed at younger but may be fun way to recap

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