Salvete omnes,
I am learning Latin with Lingua Latina - I am working through it really slowly and enjoying it very much. Here are my questions:
I hope to do a Latin GCSE or A level one day. I had heard, though, that they would be discontinuing the Latin (and Ancient Greek?) A level at some point. Have they got round to that yet? I can't believe I don't even know that, but I haven't had time to look into it properly.
My question is whether Lingua Latina will be enough practise for me to be able to take a GCSE or A level? I am aware that a lot of Latin students memorise the passages they have to translate in the exam; I don't find this a good way to learn - is it practical to approach Latin translation in the same way as we would French or German, in that we'd just translate an "unseen text" or so, or is it too difficult with Latin? Is their wanting to memorise the text just an indicator of their poor knowledge of Latin and a poor level of translating ability?
Does anyone know what standard Lingua Latina would take you to? Both Familia Romana and Roma Aeterna separately?
I assume, before taking the exam, that it would be sensible to read some of the orginal texts, or at least part of them. After reading Lingua Latina, I assume it's the usual authors that they'd include... Virgil, Cicero, Ovid.. anyone else? Anything in particular? I have heard that the Aeneid comes a lot, which particular book, I don't know... my knowledge on actual examinations is very sketchy.
I recognise this was a bit of a sketchy message with questions everywhere. Thanks for reading and I look forward to reading your answers. If you need any clarification, just ask, as I'm sure some of what I've said could be seen as unclear.
Jack