Latin AS-Level (2027 exam) & A-Level (2028 exam) – Term 2 (Jan. 2027)

Course Overview

AS-Level Latin is a one-year course (Terms 1, 2 & 3a) comprising both literature and language components, which carry an equal number of marks in examination. The language paper tests understanding of the Latin language by means of translation and comprehension questions. For the literature paper, students study one prose set text and one verse set text.

A-Level Latin is a two-year course (Terms 1, 2, 3b, 4-6), in which students complete four separate components: Unseen Translation, a choice of Prose Composition or Comprehension, Prose Literature (two texts), and Verse Literature (two texts).

Students must have gained at least Grade 5 at GCSE level in Latin in order to undertake either of these courses.

Course Method

To prepare for the language component, students build on their knowledge and application of grammar, syntax, and vocabulary from GCSE during language lessons, and complete assignments of translation and comprehension between classes. These are reviewed and discussed during the lessons. There are few new areas of grammar and syntax introduced compared with GCSE; rather those areas of grammar already met are used in a more complex manner, closer to the style of original Latin authors. Lessons involve oral and written translation and comprehension of Latin sentences and passages, and written homework assignments further help to develop these language skills.

Students must obtain a copy of Latin Beyond GCSE by John Taylor before the course begins (Bloomsbury; ISBN 9781474299831).

To prepare for the literature component, students prepare separate sections of the prose and verse set texts in advance of lessons (as homework), analysing aspects of content and linguistic style, which are then discussed during the lessons. Students are required to have read a small amount of literature in translation so that they understand the context from where the set texts have been taken. Prose texts typically include the works of Cicero, Livy, Tacitus, and Pliny, while verse texts are commonly taken from Virgil, Ovid, Horace, and Catullus. The texts rotate every two years.

To prepare for the literature components, students must obtain the textbook recommended by OCR. There are very good workbooks available from Zig-Zag Education, which help students with translating the literature texts, but purchase of these is optional.

The editions required for Term 1 are:

Cicero pro Roscio Amerino: A Selection with Introduction, Notes, and Vocabulary by Neil Treble (OCR; Bloomsbury; ISBN 9781350384453).

Virgil Aeneid IV: A Selection with Introduction, Notes, and Vocabulary by John Storey (OCR; Bloomsbury; ISBN 9781350383968).

Lessons will alternate on a weekly basis between language and literature. Throughout each term there are regular tests in both language and literature, some of which will be taken from past papers. Students also learn vocabulary from the AS/A-Level defined vocabulary list on a weekly basis, knowledge of which is tested informally during lessons.

Course Details

Term 2 comprises 10 weekly lessons. Each lesson lasts 90 minutes.

In Term 2 students continue to study::

• Cicero, pro Roscio Amerino, 5 (forsitan quaeratis) to 29 (iugulandum vobis tradiderunt).
• Virgil, Aeneid, Book 4, lines 1-128, 529-629.

This PX Classroom is held on Mondays at 4.30pm (London time zone) starting from Monday, 11th January 2027. There will be no on 15th February due to half-term. The last lesson is due to be on 22nd March 2027.