
Recommended books
Here are some books I recommend, arranged into three categories:
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Greek language, and
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books on Classics teaching.
You may also find the 2009 HEA pamphlet 'Teaching Ancient Languages: a selected guide to available material' by Juan Coderch useful.
Latin language
Classics teaching
Changing Classics in Schools
Lister, B. (2007). Cambridge University Press.
Two studies: the first, the development of the War with Troy resources designed for Primary School students here; the second, the development of the digital resources for the Cambridge Latin Course here. Also, a good flavour of the issues around the teaching of Classics in the UK, including literacy and teacher training.
Latin for the 21st Century, from Concept to Classroom
LaFleur, R. (1998). Glenview, IL: Scott Foresman-Addison Wesley.
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A little out-of-date. However, a good overview of some of the issues concerning the teaching of Latin and Greek in US schools and colleges. Sections on teaching using grammar-translation methods are useful.
Fifty Years of the Joint Association of Classical Teachers
This one-off publication marked the anniversary of the foundation of the Joint Association of Classical Teachers (JACT) in 2013. It gives a flavour of the teaching and the organizations to support the teaching Classics in the UK over the fifty year period from when JACT was founded.
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It is not currently available, so I have provided a copy here
Re-Appraisal: Some New Thoughts on the Teaching of Classics
This was published in 1962 by the Classical Association in response to the threat to the study of classical subjects from the decision of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge to remove the matriculation requirement for Latin and in the face of changing circumstances in schooling at the time.
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Some of the arguments and thoughts and ideas are as pertinent today as they were over 60 years ago.
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It is not currently available so I have provided a copy here.
Classics and Prison Education in the US
Capettini, E. & Sorkin Rabinowitz, N. (2021). London: Routledge.
This volume focuses on teaching Classics in carceral contexts in the US and offers an overview of the range of incarcerated adults, their circumstances, and the ways in which they are approaching and reinterpreting Greek and Roman texts.
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Classics at Primary Schools. A Tool for Social Justice.
Bracke, E. (2022). London: Routledge.
This is the first book to provide a practical toolkit, grounded in both current educational practice and pedagogical research, on teaching Latin and ancient Greek at primary school with the aim of empowering primary school age children who do not traditionally get access to Classics in education.
Expanding Classics. Practitioner perspectives from museums and schools.
Holmes-Henderson, A. (2023). London: Routledge.
This volume explores innovative ways of opening up classical languages and cultures to educational and museum audiences. It shows that classical subjects have an important role to play within society, and can enrich individuals’ lives in many different, and perhaps surprising, ways.
Diversity and the Study of Antiquity in Higher Education in North America and Europe.
Libatique, D. & McHardy, F. (2023). London: Routledge.
This volume explores how the study of antiquity can be made relevant and inclusive for a diverse range of 21st century students by bringing together perspectives from colleagues working in higher education at different career stages, roles, and from different backgrounds in the US, UK, and Greece.
Classical Heritage and European Identities
Laerke Maria Andersen Funder, Troels Myrup Kristensen and Vinnie Norskov (2019) London: Routledge.
This volume examines how the heritages of classical antiquity have been used to construct European identities, and especially the concept of citizenship, in Denmark from the eighteenth century to the present day. Chapter 2 explores the development and practice of the teaching and learning of classical civilisations in the Danish classroom.
Greek Tragedy, Education, and Theatre Practices in the UK Classics Ecology
David Bullen and Christine Plastow (2024) London: Routledge.
Through a series of case studies, this book explores the interrelations among Greek tragedy, theatre practices, and education in the United Kingdom. Chapters 6 and 7 are about participation in choruses as being of pedagogic value and for community cohesion.
Classics in Action
Dixon, J. & Holmes-Henderson, A. (2024). London: John Catt.
The authors showcase ideas from their own teaching experience, plus innovative examples from a range of schools, to provide strategies for teaching Latin, Greek, Classical Civilisation and Ancient History that will enrich, enliven and extend your teaching practice.
Booklets and pamphlets
Classics in the Marketplace (1990)
Council of University Classics Departments
An independent research study on attitudes to the employment of Classics graduates