Grammar for ancient languages: an introduction
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
- Course Code: RL001
- Dates: 09/01/24 - 11/01/24
- Time: 18:00 - 20:00
- Taught: Tue+Thu, Evening
- Duration: 2 sessions
- Location: Online
- Tutor: Andrew David
Course Code: RL001
Duration: 2 sessions
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Center for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
This short course aims at introducing the basic concepts of grammar and is particularly suitable for those who are new to learning languages or have not studied English grammar.
This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.
What will we cover?
We will cover basic terminology such as case names, pronouns, nouns, adjectives, complements, verbs and clauses.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- identify the subject and object of a sentence
- distinguish between a tense and a mood
- demonstrate knowledge of the functions of cases
- have an awareness of parsing and what it involves.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is a course for complete beginners of language learning. No knowledge of ancient languages is required. As the course is taught in English, please read the outline carefully to decide if you may benefit from support with your English skills to help you take part fully in this class.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
This short course will consist of lecturing by the tutor followed by some group or individual activities. There may be some homework, which will be confirmed by the tutor at the start of the course.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Writing material. Handouts will be provided by the tutor.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Enrol on level 1 module 1 of an ancient or classical language.
I graduated in Classics and trained as a Language and Classics teacher at Pembroke College Oxford and at Exeter University. I have forty years' experience as an English Language teacher and Programme Manager in Further Education. Since 2000 I have worked as a Tour Guide for English Language students at the Victoria and Albert Museum and the British Museum. At the British Museum I also offer workshops for children on Ancient Greek and Egyptian Life, and I have taught on the Museum's Iraq Emergency Programme training Iraqi Archaeologists. I have taught Classics in Primary and Secondary schools and privately since 1983, and I have been a Tutor in Classics at City Lit since 2012. At City Lit I teach Latin and Greek classes both at Keeley Street and as part of the City Lit's partnership with the British Museum. I am currently leading a project to record an audio facility for the Cambridge University Press 2016 edition of Reading Latin - the course-book used in most City Lit Latin courses. I try to include speaking and listening work in my classes, thus following the students' stated preference for hearing how we think Latin and Greek were spoken in Classical times.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
