Attitudes to ancient Greek in three schools: a case study

ABSTRACT

This study comes in response to recent changes in UK policy, whereby Ancient Greek and Latin have been included alongside modern languages as part of the curriculum at Key Stage 2. It aims to understand how Ancient Greek is surviving and thriving in three different types of schools. After a short overview of the history of Greek teaching in the UK, the study focuses on attitudes to Ancient Greek language learning. I analyse the attitudes of both students and teachers at the three case study schools, on the basis of questionnaires and individual interviews. The study of grammar has often been perceived as the aim of learning an ancient language. However, the data I collected from students show that they exhibited the most positive attitudes to the cultural aspects of the language and to its exotic otherness, while the enthusiasm and dedication of their teachers contributed to students’ positive attitudes.

KEYWORDS:

• Classical Greek
• Ancient Greek
• Latin
• attitudes
• education