Classics
Did you hear about the Rome studio nearly burning down? Apparently it's pretty badly damaged, meh! But on the plus side, there's going to be a Roman episode of Dr Who (follow that link).
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In far worse news, it seems they're going to introduce a 'Classics' A Level in place of the old Latin, Greek and Classical Civilisation ones. Thanks to toft_froggy for the link.
This is ridiculous in so many ways. For one thing, the A Levels in Latin and Greek contain little enough substance as it is - yes, you get to read texts, but IME there isn't always as much focus on language specifically as you'd hope, and at the best they'll prepare your ground if you wanted to take these further at university (but you'd still have an awful lot to cover when you got there). Combining not only the two languages, but also the translated text and historical side of Class Civ into one single A Level would basically lead to people knowing even less than they already do about the ancient world when they come to university (and you should see some first year students now - of course what matters is the opportunities they get at the university, because there's always a chance for them to pick things up, but it will make things much harder for them and for us).
Secondly, many people go straight to the classical A Levels without doing them at GCSE (I myself started Class Civ without doing it for GCSE, and I've known people to go straight to Latin or Greek without having done it before) - but if the A Level itself isn't at all intensive, then how are they supposed to be able to pick any of it up? They can cram all they like in their spare time, but do you remember how little spare time you have when you're doing your A Levels?
Furthermore, I'm willing to bet that there isn't suddenly going to be a rush of Greek teachers in schools, so the Greek option within the new proposed A Level isn't exactly going to lead to more people getting experience of Greek. So how is this going to help then? It's just another step in the death of Greek teaching in schools.
This makes me wonder if the International Baccalaureat has any better provision for the classical languages, but I don't have time to check now. But if anyone knows, do pass on the information.
And finally, a quick defence of teaching Latin, Greek and Class Civ in schools. These aren't just irrelevant, dead subjects, they're right at the heart of out 'cultural heritage'. I know that sounds a poncey argument, but it's important. Do you think you can understand how western society came to be what it is without understanding the principles on which it is based? Do you think western literature begins with Chaucer and there's nothing before that? And what's more, learning the languages gives you a huge advantage, both with speaking and writing English, and with learning foreign languages. I know they're not as popular as they might be, but they're fantastic subjects that don't deserve to be sidelined.
***
In far worse news, it seems they're going to introduce a 'Classics' A Level in place of the old Latin, Greek and Classical Civilisation ones. Thanks to toft_froggy for the link.
This is ridiculous in so many ways. For one thing, the A Levels in Latin and Greek contain little enough substance as it is - yes, you get to read texts, but IME there isn't always as much focus on language specifically as you'd hope, and at the best they'll prepare your ground if you wanted to take these further at university (but you'd still have an awful lot to cover when you got there). Combining not only the two languages, but also the translated text and historical side of Class Civ into one single A Level would basically lead to people knowing even less than they already do about the ancient world when they come to university (and you should see some first year students now - of course what matters is the opportunities they get at the university, because there's always a chance for them to pick things up, but it will make things much harder for them and for us).
Secondly, many people go straight to the classical A Levels without doing them at GCSE (I myself started Class Civ without doing it for GCSE, and I've known people to go straight to Latin or Greek without having done it before) - but if the A Level itself isn't at all intensive, then how are they supposed to be able to pick any of it up? They can cram all they like in their spare time, but do you remember how little spare time you have when you're doing your A Levels?
Furthermore, I'm willing to bet that there isn't suddenly going to be a rush of Greek teachers in schools, so the Greek option within the new proposed A Level isn't exactly going to lead to more people getting experience of Greek. So how is this going to help then? It's just another step in the death of Greek teaching in schools.
This makes me wonder if the International Baccalaureat has any better provision for the classical languages, but I don't have time to check now. But if anyone knows, do pass on the information.
And finally, a quick defence of teaching Latin, Greek and Class Civ in schools. These aren't just irrelevant, dead subjects, they're right at the heart of out 'cultural heritage'. I know that sounds a poncey argument, but it's important. Do you think you can understand how western society came to be what it is without understanding the principles on which it is based? Do you think western literature begins with Chaucer and there's nothing before that? And what's more, learning the languages gives you a huge advantage, both with speaking and writing English, and with learning foreign languages. I know they're not as popular as they might be, but they're fantastic subjects that don't deserve to be sidelined.