Teach Latin
What Academic Background is Required?What is the Application Procedure?
What if you don't have access to a secondary Latin programme?
For More Information, Email Us: teachlatin@ontclassics.org
What Academic Background is Required?
Candidates seeking admission to Bachelor of Education in Classical Studies: Latin/Greek require the following:
* (an Honour Specialist course, taken after the B. Ed. is granted, requires 2 years teaching plus 9 courses in the field of speciality; it also brings a substantial raise in pay!)
- 5 courses in Latin *
- 4 courses in Greek and/or Classics *
- 3 courses (min.) in a mainstream "teachable" subject such as French, English, History (ensure 2 credits Canadian), Math, etc.
- Minimum B+ grade point average
Candidates for any Bachelor of Education course must volunteer for a minimum of two years during their undergraduate or graduate degree. Candidates should volunteer to work with students of the age group they hope to teach and as classroom assistants in a secondary school with a Latin programme.
Other appropriate placements include, but are not limited to, the following:
The Best Placement is in a Latin Classroom
- Community centre providing youth programmes, before/after school programmes.
- Coaching
- Day camps as counsellor
- Literacy programmes, etc.
What is the Application Procedure?
1) Contact all Faculties of Education six months prior to application for information about their Bachelor or Education programmes, specific course requirements, and necessary documentation.
2) Contact the Ontario University Application centre for appropriate forms and apply well ahead of the deadline.
3) Select three Faculties; the first choice must be Faculty of Education at the University of Toronto since this is the only school offering the B. Ed. in Classical Studies.
4) Select degree Primary/Junior (JK-grade 4), Intermediate (grades 4-10), Intermediate/Senior (grades 7-12). Classicists select latter. Be aware that candidates with degrees in Classics often are admitted to a B. Ed programme in History or English, depending on academic background.
5) Indicate programme: pre-service Bachelor of Education, I/S Classical Studies; Latin/Greek for U. of T. and appropriate alternate degree (e.g. I/S History/English)
6) Indicate appropriate second teachable subject (e.g. English, History, etc.)
1) Ensure that all application procedures have been carefully followed.
2) Contact university and request a formal review; be prepared to pursue this to the Dean.
3) Consider up-grading by taking extra courses in the major and minor teachable subjects at the undergraduate level or by pursuing a Master's degree.
4) Contact the Certification committee of the Ontario Classical Association for direction.
5) Complete further volunteer work which may include volunteering in a Latin classroom.
What if you don't have access to a secondary Latin Programme?
There are many candidates who want to teach Latin but do not have access to a high school which has a Latin programme. Consider the following options:
1) Contact the principal of a local school and offer to teach Latin as an enrichment programme for Gifted students, English students or French students.
2) Contact a teacher of ancient history and offer to teach Latin as a supplement to his/her course.
3) Contact the principal and offer to start a Classics Club in which you teach the students Latin.
4) Work with the Classics Department within your university to establish an enrichment programme for interested secondary school students - this could be held in May for a week, like the Mini-enrichment programme at Queen's University; it could stretch over a two-week period in the summer, like science or music camps held at many universities; it could be offered once a week for a year through the Classics Department.
5) Contact Co-ordinators of Languages at your local Board office (this position may have a different title depending on the Board). Ask about "Heritage Language" Programmes which are offered on Saturdays. Perhaps the Italian or Spanish instructor will allow you to offer supplemental instruction in Latin. Perhaps the Co-ordinator will consider offering Latin as a part of this programme.
6) Contact local Italian community group to enlist its support.
7) Contact local Roman Catholic church in order to assess its interest in offering Latin classes to its members.
8) Be sure to enlist the help of the Classics Department to advocate for you.
These suggestions will be labour-intensive and time-consuming but they will indicate your dedication to Latin, your ingenuity, initiative and work ethic to the Registrar of the Faculty of Education and they will help establish Latin programmes at the secondary level where there were none before. This could lead to a future job!