Keeping Latin alive

“Students who choose Latin typically are interested in the history and mythology of the ancient world,” he explains. “And then there are those who want to try something new after studying French. My job is to spark interest and teach both the language and the cultural aspects.”

He sees Latin as both interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary. 

“Knowing about the Latin language requires you to learn about Roman and classical history, mythology, culture, art, and archeology,” he says. “No matter what your interest is, you can find something related to it in Latin study. Even if you’re into design or engineering, there’s so much in there, as the Romans were so great at it.”

Roy is in his third year at the College, and his first in which he’s teaching in the IB Diploma Programme for Year 11s and 12s in addition to the Middle Years Programme, which ends in Year 10. Outside the school he tutors in writing and math, but Latin is his area of expertise; he received his BA in classics and classical languages, literatures, and linguistics from the University of Toronto.   

His own interest was sparked as a middle school student at University of Toronto Schools (UTS), where Latin was required in Grade 8.  
 

“I had no experience with it because my background is from India, but I was good at the language, and I loved learning about the history and culture, so I kept going through it,” he recalls. “And in college I wanted to become a teacher. I like being in the classroom and inspiring kids.” 

He sees competition as a way to inspire, and so has gotten his students involved in online contests run by the American Classical League.  

Says Roy, “If they do well, the students get medals, and they’re pretty heavy! It’s not all about marks and grades. You always need something else to get kids excited, and these contests are a great way to go.”

Participating students throughout North America have a timeframe to take the multiple-choice tests. The UCC students do theirs on their laptops at the same time and place. Contests focus on topics such as Roman civilization and Greek and Latin etymology, vocabulary, the Medusa myth, and then there’s the annual National Latin Exam, which covers all these areas. 

Year 11 student Hudson Kennedy says he’s keen to take part in all of the competitions. 

“I’m interested in the history and culture,” Kennedy says. “I enjoy how our classes cover a wide range of topics, as that gets us to actively learn about all the different aspects of ancient Rome and think critically about them. For example, we look at how the cultural policies of Augustus influenced the literature of the era.”

Kennedy was awarded at least a silver medal in each competition he has entered, and a gold in the National Latin Exam. 

Roy sees this success as motivational: “It’s encouraging for the rest of the guys to see that although Latin is hard, if you work at it, you can do well.”