Latin Beginners (Level 1)

This course is aimed at people who want to learn Latin for Reading and Research purposes. Lessons focus on developing reading and text interpreting skills, allowing a fast pace progress. If your language level ranges from beginners to lower intermediate, you are welcome to join.

Key information

Course started in October 2023

• Course: Thursdays 6.00pm - 8.00pm 
  Delivery: On-campus (fact-to-face)
  Timeline: Resumes 18 Janaury - Ends 21 March 2024
  Lengths: 10 weeks (30 learning hours)
  Fees: £140

This course will be taught in a small group. It requires a minimum of 7 and it can have up to a maximum of 12 students. The course fee includes all tuition, access to VLE (virtual learning environment), handouts and any tests/exams, but not a textbook. 

The first term runs from October to December and the second from December to March. The full course comprises 60 learning hours. Lessons are two hours long and take place once a week. When enrolling you are committing to the remaining 10 weeks. You are welcome to join in the second term of a course if you have previous knowledge and experience of the language.

Entry level

No previous knowledge of Latin is required. Although it would be beneficial, the course is suitable for absolute beginners.

Course content

Learning on this course will take place at an accelerated pace to enable you to read Latin texts from a large range of time periods. Each session will focus on fundamental aspects of Latin grammar, including both morphology and syntax. In addition, you will begin reading texts immediately and building a working vocabulary, thereby increasing the amount and level of your Latin knowledge with every session.

As the course progresses, your tutor will find out the genres and periods most appropriate to the interests of each student and will tailor readings accordingly.

Resources

The tutor will provide any necessary handouts and resources.

Our approach

This course aims to take learner from a basic level towards independent reading of authentic texts in Latin. Reading skills are developed by systematically working through short texts and focusing on the recognition of key grammatical structures (verbs, tenses, sentence patterns and word order, negation, nouns, connectors, pronouns, adjectives, prepositions, the passive, idioms, etc.). You will also develop dictionary skills and practise reading strategies to interpret and translate texts in Latin.

Students will be encouraged to seek opportunities to learn and practise outside the classroom taking advantage of learning resources provided by tutors and the programme. The group size is limited to 12 students and planned to allow intensive interactive practice with individual feedback and advice on progress.

Progression

Upon completing this beginners level for Reading and Research purposes (Level 1), you can progress onto the Intermediate level Reading and Research purposes (Level 2).