Latin

What made you choose this degree programme?

I wanted to work with language and people in my life, as this best suits my affinities, skills and interests and I see it as a meaningful contribution to shaping society. After several internships in various related professional fields (speech therapy, journalism, teaching), I chose Latin as one of my two subjects because it prepares me for my future career as a Latin teacher, where I can creatively help children and young people from all backgrounds discover the timeless - whether linguistically or culturally - in Roman antiquity.

In which respect have or haven’t your expectations been fulfilled?

My expectations were fulfilled, particularly in the planning and execution of Latin lessons and the didactic analysis of teaching materials.As there are no noticeable discrepancies between the transparent descriptions in the module handbook and the actual study practice, I do not see any unfulfilled expectations.

Which aspect of your degree programme do you enjoy most?

Being creative with the Latin teaching resources provided to me. from Latin didactics and at the same time always having enough professional and didactic orientation to go my own way, now and later, without straying from it.

What has been your biggest challenge to date?

To produce a worksheet by hand within two hours on the basis of an original Latin text.

What would you like to become after completing your degree?

Among other things, a teacher of Latin at a secondary school.

Which advice would you like to give to students who consider enrolling in this degree programme?

To see hurdles as potential for development during the course of your studies, to make use of all help for your own professionalisation and to look forward to your individual role as a Latin teacher with joy and confidence.

What made you choose this degree programme?

Latin was one of my favourite subjects at school. I was fascinated by the history of the ancient Romans and was very sad when my studies of the subject came to an abrupt end after the 11th grade. Even then, I knew that I wanted to continue my education in this field after graduation. Since I had enjoyed tutoring in the past and generally liked working with people, I soon decided on my field of study (teaching/Master of Education).

Of course, before starting your studies, you meet people who think this decision is absolutely crazy and wonder what the added value of learning ancient languages is. I always countered such people by saying that you have to do something you really enjoy. Besides, Latin is and remains the ‘cradle of our culture’.

In which respect have or haven’t your expectations been fulfilled?

Looking back, my expectations of my subject were perhaps even exceeded. Studying classical philology at Ruhr University Bochum is tough going, but it's worth it. The seminar offers a wide range of courses, and they are taught with a high level of expertise, which is of course not comparable to Latin lessons at school. At the beginning of my studies, it took me a while to really integrate into the system and understand what it was all about: not just translating Latin, but recognising, understanding and interpreting the art of this language. Nevertheless, the range of courses on offer could be even greater in some areas; the fact that this is not the case is due to a lack of further resources and is not the fault of the lecturers. Our seminar is very small, which counteracts the anonymity that is often criticised at universities. Here, you are not just a number. I have always found this to be very informal and by no means a disadvantage. Each of the lecturers is open to problems, comments and suggestions for improvement. You can also ask for advice at any time if you have problems. In this respect, my expectations of my subject have been fulfilled not only academically but also organisationally.

Which aspect of your degree programme do you enjoy most?

Of course, studying the ancient language is the centrepiece of my degree programme. My love for the subject has grown stronger over the semesters. The lecturers are very supportive and communication is smooth. In addition, I have formed really good connections with my fellow students in Latin, which has led to genuine friendships. The student council always sticks together and organises great activities where you can exchange ideas and sometimes solve problems. I have never had such experiences in any other subject before. This is certainly also due to the size of our seminar.

What has been your biggest challenge to date?

The biggest challenge was the first two semesters of my bachelor's degree. It took a lot of time to get used to the new requirements and brush up on my Latin. But if you really want something and aren't just studying for good career prospects, you should take the time to do it. Disciplining myself was certainly not the easiest part of my studies. However, I can now say that I approach other tasks that come my way in a very determined and organised manner. In other subjects, and also in my minor, such strong self-discipline was not necessary to get through my studies successfully. I also had to come to terms with the fact that I spent many weekends learning Latin instead of enjoying the good weather.

However, after completing a bachelor's degree in classical philology, one can happily move on with a master's degree in education. Here, I only had to face one major challenge, but it quickly developed into a passion. This is because, after the subject-specific training that I had experienced up to that point, I then had to add subject-specific teaching training. However, the biggest challenge is and remains the final exam. I think this is the case in every subject.

What would you like to become after completing your degree?

After completing my specialist studies and working part-time at the seminar, I could imagine staying at the university to conduct research and continue studying Latin in depth. That's why I kept both options open during my master's degree and studied for a Master of Arts and a Master of Education at the same time. However, during my Master of Education studies, I realised that I was more drawn to teaching. I enjoy working with pupils and teaching them this truly fascinating language, which is why I am now aiming to become a teacher of Latin and philosophy after completing my studies.

Which advice would you like to give to students who consider enrolling in this degree programme?

It is important to be aware that studying Latin requires a lot of time, hard work and discipline. Anyone who studies Latin simply because they believe it will improve their job prospects is in the wrong subject. You need a certain passion for ancient languages and an iron will to really see your studies through. To all those who feel this passion for the subject, I would like to advise you not to be discouraged by acquaintances – or, for example, by the currently reignited discussion about the usefulness of Latin. If you really want something and it brings you joy, you should go for it. Don't let anyone tell you that you're weird or ‘abnormal’ because you want to study this subject. From my own experience, I can only say that during my Latin studies I met some wonderful and completely ‘normal’ people who I wouldn't want to be without in my life (well, they are a little bit crazy in a good way, but then who isn't?).