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Frequently Asked Questions

I want to teach Classics. How do I go about it?
I live outside the UK and want to find a Classics teaching post in the UK. How do I go about it?
I want to learn Latin but my school does not offer it.
I want to learn Latin as an adult. What help is there?
I want to learn Classical Greek. What help is there?
I'm starting my A level course/my A2 course and want extra help. Where can I find it?

 

I want to teach Classics. How do I go about it?

The answer from JACT is here.
The official government site about teacher training is here. Click on 'Routes into Teaching'.
What follow are some other considerations.

Career prospects are very good in many respects. At the moment there is a serious dearth of suitably qualified teachers and numbers offering Latin in one form or another are on the increase The number of state schools that offer Latin has doubled in the past few years, and they now outnumber independent schools.

Unfortunately, provision for training Classics teachers has been reduced. There is now pressure for new places on training courses to be provided, but at the moment the situation is unsatisfactory.

For those who do qualify, the prospects of finding a good job are very good. This BBC news item from 2001 gives an example.

They may have to offer another subject as well. Classical Greek is at a very low ebb.

The professional body representing Classics teachers is JACT, the Joint Association of Classics Teachers, of which ARLT is a constituent part, being one of three organisations that came together to found JACT 40-odd years ago. JACT can speak with authority about the nuts and bolts of getting into the Classics teaching profession.

A suggestion. Come to the ARLT Summer School and have 5 days to discuss with 40 or 50 Classics teachers what the situation is in their neck of the woods.
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I live outside the UK and want to find a Classics teaching post in the UK. How do I go about it?

Contact JACT, the Joint Association of Classics Teachers, which is our professional body. They keep lists of jobs wanted and offered. You can contact them through their web site.

Post a message on the ARLT (Association for Latin Teaching) Message Board.

The main UK periodical where teaching posts are advertised is the Times Educational Supplement. If you can get hold of a copy in your country, that is probably the best of all.

I want to learn Latin but my school does not offer it.

It's great that you want to learn Latin. It opens up so many worlds of understanding - language, society, literature, politics and much more, and it can be good fun.

There are two lines you can follow. First, you can try to get Latin taught in the school, or secondly you can arrange to learn it on your own. I do recommend that you try the first way first, because it's easier and more fun to learn with others, and from a real live human teacher, and also you will be opening the door for other students to get the chance of learning Latin.

So, how can you get Latin lessons into your school? If you are in a Primary School, then Minimus is what you must look for. Minimus? It's a Latin course about a little mouse and its family near Hadrian's Wall. Boys and girls all over the country and beyond are enjoying its adventures. Your school doesn't have to have a teacher who knows Latin, because the course is written so that any teacher can use it, and another thing - there are probably people in your area who will be glad to come in once a week in lunch hour or after school and run a Latin club. Visit the Minimus site.

In a Secondary School you can tell your favourite teacher about all the help that the Cambridge Latin Course people can offer. With their help schools with no Latin teacher have already introduced Latin into the curriculum. Visit the web page about introducing Latin into your school. It really is possible now. Gather some friends who would like to learn with you, and show your teacher the web page. The Head will probably know that the government is backing this drive to get Latin into schools.

If your school is not able to use these resources for any reason, don't despair. You can use the Independent Learners materials from the Cambridge people.
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I want to learn Latin as an adult. What help is there?

Learning is easiest when you are with others. Unfortunately, we do not hold a nation-wide list of evening classes in Latin, but it may be worth enquiring locally. You could advertise (free) on our Message Board, and your local paper might run a story about how you want to learn Latin, and invite volunteers to join you, and someone might well respond with an offer to be the teacher. It's worth trying.

If that comes to nothing, you can use the Independent Learners materials from the Cambridge Latin Course people. As you will see from their web site, they offer a wide range of printed, on-line and CD materials, and you can pay to have your work marked by email.

For those who can spare the time, there is an intensive 8-week summer course for beginners in Cork in Ireland. See their web site here.
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I want to learn Classical Greek. What help is there?

For people in London, The Classics Academy provides after-school classes in Latin and Classical Greek to GCSE and A-level at various locations. Latin GCSE classes are currently offered in Westminster, Camden, Stamford Hill, Hampton and Streatham; Greek is offered at Camden and Marylebone. Classes are held twice a week, usually from 4.45 to 6.15pm Further information is available at www.classicsacademy.com or by contacting info@classicsacademy.com

For those who can spare the time, there is an intensive 8-week summer course for beginners in Cork in Ireland. See their web site here.
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I'm starting my A level / A2 course and want extra help. Where can I find it?

There are brilliant Summer Schools in Latin, Greek and Classical Civilisation run by JACT and others.

Here are some contact details:
Latin Summer Schools
JACT Latin Summer School
This course caters for students at every level from beginner to advanced and from pre-GCSE to mature. Although primarily residential, the summer school does also accept non-residents. Contact: Tim Wheeler, JACT Latin Summer School, Bilton Grange, Dunchurch, Rugby, CV22 6QU or email: Jact.Latinss@tesco.net

Greek Summer Schools
JACT Summer School (age range 16-25)

Classical Civilisation Summer Schools
JACT Classical Civilisation & Ancient History Summer School at Repton School
Contact: Jo Howling
47 Barnfield Crescent,
Sale,
Cheshire, M33 6WJ

Age limit: 16-106!

There are Summer Schools for Latin and Greek in
St John’s College, University of Durham,
University of Wales, Lampeter,
King’s College London, Strand, London.
Non-residential course held at Rowley Regis, West Midlands
More details here.
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