Latin Lovers: Bettany Hughes Helps Boris Johnson Launch 'Classics for Schools'
Mayor of London Boris Johnson is to be joined by popular historian Bettany Hughes and head teachers from primary and secondary schools across the city at London’s City Hall tomorrow to launch a new drive to boost classical education in state schools. But is there any point teaching a dead language to already-bored kids?
The tousle-haired Tory studied Classics at Oxford as an undergraduate, and has long talked-up how beneficial a good understanding of classical history can be when it comes to getting to grips with modern politics. In the past he’s called for every child to be taught Latin, and even written a book, The Dream of Rome – made into a documentary by the BBC in 2006 – comparing the European Union with the Roman Empire.
A recent survey by Cambridge Schools Classics Project found that as little as 2% of state primary schools taught Latin, compared to 40% of independent primary schools. A press release from the Mayor’s office stated that Johnson is a “firm believer in taking the ‘class’ out of the classics,” and reiterated his desire to see more state schools embracing Latin as a subject.
Hughes – a regular face on TV, in programmes such as The Seven Ages of Britain – has been brought onboard to champion Latin as “the key to an unsurpassed treasury of literature, history and philosophy”. In a recent blog for The Guardian, she described how she thinks that a decline in interest in history at GCSE can be reversed by making the subject 'cool again'. Hughes showed the way forward by making a documentary, The Spartans, which was a major influence on Zack Snyder’s smash-hit film 300. She’s probably just the sort of media personality that Johnson’s campaign needs to try and make Latin seem cool again, supposing a language synonymous with stuffy academics and dusty textbooks could ever have been considered cool in the first place.
My own experience of classical studies at a state high school admittedly suggests it’s a subject in some need of a reboot. There were just three students enrolled – so few that my teacher taught the class dually with Latin, which was equally as unpopular. I recall at the time finding it hard to complain about a class that seemed to involve watching a video of Spartacus what felt like every other week. But in hindsight, it definitely didn’t serve to enrich my understanding of the ways of the ancient Mediterranean world at high school level as fully as could be hoped.
Knowing how heavily put upon kids and teachers alike are just by the core subjects of the modern schools curriculum, I have to say I find it hard to see how a dead language like Latin can really take precedence over other key areas of study in the 21st century. As already mentioned, GCSE history isn't the most popular of classes at present; the learning of modern languages such as French, Spanish and German could probably do with a boost themselves, and are surely more relevant to a young adult heading out into cosmopolitan Britain from high school today. And aren’t there other valuable contemporary tongues that ought to be added to the curriculum? China is the world’s largest and third richest nation – wouldn’t we be better teaching our kids how to communicate directly with that superpower-in-waiting, rather than empires that have been extinct for millennia?
Let the vox populi speak – we want to hear your thoughts on the subject via the comments field below.
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Instead of teaching dead languages, they should be introducing more exciting ways to encourage kids to connect with history. Look at projects like Living Links and CANVAS - they're going to fire kids' imaginations much more.
I had some years of latin in high school (age 12-14) for four or five hours a week. It was an optional choice, either you had 'latin' direction, or 'modern languages'. Although this made that I had less modern languages and sciences, I made up for that later (well, at least the sciences) and knowing latin helped enormously with my French (latin is closer related to French than Dutch is) and later on with my German, as I was already more familiar with 'massacre' on a word depending on it's case. ;) Not only that, but a basic grasp of latin, imho, gives you beter understand of language in a general, having to deduct the purpose of each word. They also say that - regardless which - extra language you learn, it will enable you to learn other languages faster/better. So... I plead 'pro'. (At least an introductionary course, and then let the pupils decide.)
Learning latin was not only about the language, but the 'classics' as well. Classical literature (in Dutch or latin, if it was simple enough) as well as their philosophy, and way of life. Quite interesting, as a whole!
I gave up latin after those few years (there was no way to get both latin and economics, so I opted for more maths and economics) but looking back at it, I really don't regret those +- 240 hours of my life spend on the basics of the language. (I also had some hours ancient Greek, but well.. that didn't stick.. .)
The issue might be a bit different for Britain, as you're even less related to 'latin' then we (Dutch/Flemish) are.. BUT... I still see benefits for a 'introduction' to latin in school, allowing kids the choice and at least give them some notice that the language exists.
When I was 18, out of more than a 100 pupils in our 6th grade, there was only one taking Latin-Ancient Greek. Probably these odds are even worse now, 7 years later. We do want someone to be able to read the classics in a few years time, so again, I plead the case of at least an introduction course.
"Latin" (the language) is really a red herring. It's the roots of culture we desperately need students to study, and since language is the fabric that binds cultures together, we need study of the languages to understand where our civilization came from. I'm a classics prof from Connecticut, USA, and I'm making classics cool, and not only do my students love it, but they're learning how to be true citizens of a world that's a lot older than it seems. Did you know that video games are ancient, for example?
You say that modern languages are more relevant than Latin, which is a foolish assumption: unless you will need that particular language, you are better off (or as well off) learning one that is at the root of all of them, including 50% of English, and teaches transferable skills of grammar (as well as thinking skills and logical processing, which MFL, taught by rote, rarely do).
Latin is a dead language, not a dead subject, and it is a shame that someone who studied history at university is not capable of taking a longer-term view.
Roger, if I understand 'Living Epic' correctly, you're amongst others combining MMORPGs & the Classics? Quite awesome! (And a long way from our 'vestibulum, atrium, .. ' books about that poor bloke that wasn't allowed to marry girl X.) Yet, I'm not sure if I'd trade me latin copy of Asterix et Obelix for that. ;) ;) ;)
If you ever want to take your Classics to Stonehenge Virtual, you're more than welcome. No virtual Greek & Roman areas YET, but it surely is an interesting concept of teaching. *goes tell Viv, who will surely be interested*
Interesting debate! Ann, I'm curious - at the time, why did you choose to take Latin rather than modern languages?
Although I can imagine that learning Latin would help your later knowledge of German and French, wouldn't learning German and French have been even more advantageous in that respect?
Roger, I love your take on ancient video games! Will definitely be having a good look at that site.
You've got me there... parental pressure. But as I said, I don't regret it now, quite the opposite. (Yet, after two years trading latin for economics I still consider to be a good decision. So I know both what 'Cave Canem' means, as well as that 5500 is 'RC Bank' and anything under '1' capital. Oh.. and how interest works!;)
We had German and French anyway, just one hour less of German and one hour less of French. (We start learning French at age 10, German at 14 I believe, at that time... 13 if I would not have chosen 'latin' at age 12. We also had to sacrifice one hour of biology (still 2 left) and one hour of physics for Latin... and one hour of 'esthetics/arts'.... but as there was quite a bit of 'culture' in the Latin classes, that did not matter much.)
I must say, the class issue that Johnson touches on is a big deal. I do agree with Johnson on the broader issue that there shouldn't be these whole knowledge bases that rich children have, that other children have no option of obtaining - it's totally divisive.
There was no mention of Latin in my school by the way - presumably because an understanding of Latin is useful if you're going to be a doctor or scientist, but not if you're going to end up working in Greggs.
I took Latin for two years in high school because, in pre-Vatican II days, I wanted to know what the "secrets" were the priest said in the mass. Of course, the moment I signed up for Latin, the mass began being said in English.
But I had a marvelous moment in my second year when the language actually started making sense. The beauty of the language just slammed me in the middle of a class.
And, yes, Latin grammar taught me the most about English grammar.
But wait, there's more!
My son took Latin from 7th grade (US) till he finished high school. His college application essay was about why he took Latin, knowing he was going to fail, rather than Calculus, knowing he could pull a great grade. Here's a passage:
"Do I buff my GPA with a class I can’t stand, and get into college because I “look good,” or do I lower my GPA with a class I love, and harm my chances of getting into college at all? To me, the answer was easy. Re-enlist in Latin and bear the consequences."
He got into his first choice college.
Well, this subject has got everyone suitably hot-blooded!
In response to A Teacher's comments, I'd say that in an ideal world of course Latin - as the base for most modern European languages - would be taught to every pupil. Ann's experience demonstrates well just how vaulable Latin can be to someone who has the motivation to use it as a jump-off for learning other languages. But as a teacher, you should know better than anyone how little room for maneuver kids have when it comes to fitting other classes into their timetable, on top of the basics - maths, English etc. In the compromise between parental pressure and a child's own preferences - both alluded to in other comments above - there's only going to be room for one or two language courses at most, and I feel that learning a modern language is more important.
Isn't it more expedient to send a kid out into the world basically fluent in one modern language - French, German or Spanish say - giving them the chance to speak it and perhaps even experience another culture through it, whetting their appetite for the practical value of learning more languages, rather than mastering one overarching tongue in a "dead language"? Equally, Latin is only the core of European languages - what about South and East Asian languages for example? Shouldn't they be considered just as important in the future of British and world society? That's what I'd call the long view!
You have to understand that I'm not saying that Latin shouldn't be part of the curriculum, like at Rebecca's school. Merely that to force it towards the top of the curriculum at the expense of other subjects would be wrong.
Ben - I really like your example, and it illustrates that quite evidently some pupils do enjoy Latin a great deal, and really thrive in the subject. That's fantastic. But other kids won't feel as strongly about it, and it'd be to their detriment if they were made to muddle through Latin classes just because of the idealistic notion of an eccentric Tory mayor.
Just received the following press release, outlining details of the Classics for Schools drive, which will be launched later this afternoon...
Mayor calls for more schools to teach Latin
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson is lobbying for more schools to teach Latin to enable all young people to benefit from a classical education. Currently only two – four per cent of state primary schools teach Latin compared to 40 per cent of independent primary schools.
The Mayor is a firm believer that Latin enriches the education of young people and wants more state educated pupils to have the opportunity to study. He will discuss taking the ‘class’ out of the classics today at a City Hall event which brings together head teachers to discuss the educational benefits of Latin.
At the event the Mayor will welcome the findings of a new survey by Friends of the Classics which found that:
The Mayor has written to Michael Gove, the shadow education minister, to express his concern that Latin is not recognised as a language in terms of the curriculum and to highlight the lack of qualified teachers
The Mayor said: ‘It is absurd that the progenitor of many modern European languages is not recognised on the national curriculum. I firmly believe that we must not starve the minds of students eager to embrace the great intellectual disciplines of Latin. And we must stop the classics being the fodder of the independent sector alone. I commend the efforts of the educational organisations and volunteers bringing Latin back into state schools. I hope the event today will enthuse head teachers to join the campaign to get Latin back onto the curriculum. We cannot possibly understand our modern world unless we understand the ancient world that made us all and there is simply no better way than to make young minds think in a logical and analytical way.’
Dr Peter Jones, co-founder of Friends of Classics, said ‘Our survey produced important findings and there is no question that the demand is there for Latin. Since it is clear that the heavily regulated educational establishment has taken its eye off this particular ball, it is up to classicists, all those who value their classical education and those who know a good thing when they see it, to see what can be done. This is a problem that money will solve.’
Historical author and TV presenter Bettany Hughes will join the Mayor to champion the resurgence of interest in Latin. Bettany who is President of Joint Association of Classical Teachers, said: “When I was at school, the consensus was that Latin was a dead language and that if I studied it I'd end up in a dead-end job. Well, luckily, that is not the case. Not only has my research taken me all over the globe - to some of the world's most extraordinary corners - but the films we have made about antiquity and the power of the past have now been seen by over 100 million worldwide. Not bad going for a passion that was kicked off in the classroom by amo amas amat!”
At the event today guest speakers from successful Latin projects across the capital will discuss the immense educational benefits and detail how more schools can get involved. The Barking Abbey state secondary school, in Barking and Dagenham, introduced the study of Latin a few years ago and it is now a very popular subject.
Anthony Moloney, Head of Classics and Ancient Studies at Barking Abbey School said: “Making Latin relevant to our current young generation is key to its longevity and success. We currently have 50 students across all years studying Latin and I believe it has a place in every school. With a modern twist and innovative pedagogy Latin can live on into its fourth millennia!”
"Currently only two – four per cent of state primary schools teach Latin compared to 40 per cent of independent primary schools." Wow. With us both state and independent (mostly part of the 'catholic' network) schools have Latin on offer. And as far as teachers go, we still had enough back then (no idea now). I must say, those were the teachers most 'motivated' about their subject I've had, except for our economics teacher with an Alan Greenspan poster on the wall, maybe. ;)
I second "We cannot possibly understand our modern world unless we understand the ancient world that made us all and there is simply no better way than to make young minds think in a logical and analytical way" and hope they succeed at their plan!
Malcolm,
I like this eccentric mayor better than the last one. That press release reads like a who's who from The Spectator.
I also second the statement: "We cannot possibly understand our modern world unless we understand the ancient world that made us all...". But I'm just not sure that rolling out Latin teaching is the best way of doing this!
I'll also second Roger's comment above: "'Latin' (the language) is really a red herring. It's the roots of culture we desperately need students to study..." and add that I'd prefer to see a new drive to bolster interest in GCSE level history, and the wider teaching of classical and ancient history as part of that drive.
I believe that, at the very least, all students should have the opportunity and should be encouraged (but not pressured!!) to study Latin. Not only can the subject be interesting, but it is also valuable for its relation to modern European languages, as well as other grammatical and logical benefits as said above. But modern languages are just as important, if not more so, and should certainly not be neglected. I choose to study Latin because I find it interesting and because of the connection to history which it provides. I also hope that it will aid in my understanding of my own English language and Spanish, which I plan to study in the future.
Thanks for your response to my post - it's sweet that you think any pupil leaves school 'fluent' in their modern language! I maintain that Latin teaches the basics which they can build on for ANY language in the future: one of my ex-pupils has found it useful in learning Japanese (so I'm not ignoring Asian languages).
If you disagree with this (very common) opinion, then I can see why you don't see the value of Latin in modern education.
Children already have to choose between subjects like History and Geography at the moment (both valuable I'm sure you'll agree) which course should students choose to drop in order to choose Latin?