Didactics of Latin 1

Contents
a) Lectures
Selected chapters from the history of pedagogics with an emphasis on the history of teaching of Latin (in the antiquity, in late antiquity and in the Middle Ages). Modern history of teaching of Latin with an emphasis on the history of teaching of classical languages in Slovenian schools. Influentual individuals and their impact on the didactics of Latin (in antiquity, in European and in Slovenian history). Latin textbooks and manuals through time. Latin in Slovenian school systems. Societies and organisations related with the promotion of classical and humanistic education. The position of Latin in modern Slovenian educational system (the contents and the objectives, Latin as an obligatory and as an elective subject, Latin in primary schools and in classical gymnasia, school-leaving external examination (or, the “matura”)). Basics of school legislation. Preparations for class. Grammar: basic elements concerning Latin pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar; approaches to treatments of selected grammatical problems. Teaching ancient literature: the topics to be studied and their relation to other school subjects; organizing projects involving these subjects. Topics concerning ancient culture and civilization: approaches to their presentation and their relation to other school subjects. Critical evaluation of the contents taught (reflective teaching). The role and the figure of the teacher of Latin. Modern didactical forms and methods, appropriate for teaching of Latin language and literature. Assessment methods. Types of exercises. Modern literature and manuals. Internet resources for the didactics of classical languages (primarily Latin). Further education of teachers (self-education, supplementary education, life-long learning).

b) Practical classes
Analysis and synthesis of a school lesson in terms of the treatment of the grammar, the literature, the topics related to the ancient culture and civilization. Approaches to preparations for class. Preparation of exercises and handouts. Actualization of the contents taught. Practical classes: 1. preparing a lesson; 2. preparing a project; 3. a lesson conducted in the presence of colleague students. Planning the teaching process. The economics of the teaching process. Eventual problems and failures; how to assess pupils' abilities and how to determine reasons for their successes and failures. Manuals and textbooks. Assessment methods. Concrete examples of presenting topics concerning the grammar, the literature, the history, the culture and civilization (in all levels of the educational system). Modern approaches to interpreting literature: Roman and Latin literature, Latin culture and civilization; philological, sociological and anthropological aspects, their actualization and evaluation. The use of the computer and the internet in the teaching process. Creation of a web site.