There has been much talk in recent years about making modern foreign languages compulsory until GCSE level, and recently, Lucy Noble, the artistic director at the Royal Albert Hall, stated that all students should take a GCSE in a creative art subject. Opinion journalists have also written in prominent publications such as The Telegraph, arguing that a modern foreign language should be studied by all students until the age of 16. I would like to make the case for making the study of a classical language compulsory in all secondary schools, as it has many benefits for both the students and the wider society. Classical languages, like Latin and Ancient Greek, are often overlooked, but I believe they are essential to a complete education.
Classical languages form the basis for much of the English language, with about 60% of the language having either a Greek or Latin origin. In the jargon of science and technology, this number is 90%, with words like "computer" from computo, meaning I count, and species names like Panthera leo. From Greek, we have many of the words we use when describing governments, including:
Most Greek words have entered the language via Latin and then through French; however, some have entered English directly, like the prefix "tele-" found in words like television and telegraph. Because of the thousands of English words with classical origins, it is almost certain that the study of a classical language will increase one's English vocabulary, strengthening one's ability to communicate.
As a result of the Roman Empire expanse through Europe, Latin has influenced many of the continent's languages, forming the Romance group of languages. The most prominent languages in this group are: Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian and Romanian. This language branch has nearly one billion native speakers worldwide, meaning that study of a language like Latin would likely help students with any modern languages that they are studying. The study of Latin, for example, would help students understand the grammatical rules of many of the studied language, such as verb endings in different tenses, and the use of comparative and superlative adjectives. Learning a classical language, with its complex grammatical rules, would help foster transferable skills, like the ability to analyse and think critically, and the ability to contextualise situations, and apply standard rules where necessary, and disregard them where appropriate.
A study of a classical language is also a study of the culture in which it was used. Students that do learn classical languages spend a substantial amount of time looking at the ancient world, the traditional practices, social norms and expectations, history, and often, the writers of the time. Study of a language like Latin or Greek would allow students to study periods of history not typically covered by the standard curriculum, such as the Roman Republic. It would encourage students to read the literature of writers such as Homer, Virgil and Juvenal. It would foster an interest, for some students, in ancient battle techniques and strategies. A seemingly endless stream of opportunities could be opened by opening these opportunities up to all students.
Politicians, plug the gap between students at independent schools and state schools by rasising standards in the public sector. Increase social mobility by arming thousands of students with the ability to think critically and communicate effectively. Do this by teaching a classical language.
Classical languages form the basis for much of the English language, with about 60% of the language having either a Greek or Latin origin. In the jargon of science and technology, this number is 90%, with words like "computer" from computo, meaning I count, and species names like Panthera leo. From Greek, we have many of the words we use when describing governments, including:
- democracy, from demos, meaning people, and kratia, meaning power
- monarchy, from monarkhia, meaning the rule of one
- tyranny, from tyrannos, meaning master
Most Greek words have entered the language via Latin and then through French; however, some have entered English directly, like the prefix "tele-" found in words like television and telegraph. Because of the thousands of English words with classical origins, it is almost certain that the study of a classical language will increase one's English vocabulary, strengthening one's ability to communicate.
As a result of the Roman Empire expanse through Europe, Latin has influenced many of the continent's languages, forming the Romance group of languages. The most prominent languages in this group are: Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian and Romanian. This language branch has nearly one billion native speakers worldwide, meaning that study of a language like Latin would likely help students with any modern languages that they are studying. The study of Latin, for example, would help students understand the grammatical rules of many of the studied language, such as verb endings in different tenses, and the use of comparative and superlative adjectives. Learning a classical language, with its complex grammatical rules, would help foster transferable skills, like the ability to analyse and think critically, and the ability to contextualise situations, and apply standard rules where necessary, and disregard them where appropriate.
A study of a classical language is also a study of the culture in which it was used. Students that do learn classical languages spend a substantial amount of time looking at the ancient world, the traditional practices, social norms and expectations, history, and often, the writers of the time. Study of a language like Latin or Greek would allow students to study periods of history not typically covered by the standard curriculum, such as the Roman Republic. It would encourage students to read the literature of writers such as Homer, Virgil and Juvenal. It would foster an interest, for some students, in ancient battle techniques and strategies. A seemingly endless stream of opportunities could be opened by opening these opportunities up to all students.
Politicians, plug the gap between students at independent schools and state schools by rasising standards in the public sector. Increase social mobility by arming thousands of students with the ability to think critically and communicate effectively. Do this by teaching a classical language.
Comments
Post a Comment