Here are some typical responses from our students at Summer School this year

How did you hear about the Summer School?

OU mailing from my teachers at school the Guardian the JACT Internet site

The Baking Woman taking her cue from her rolling pin

What were your reasons for applying for the course?

my love of Classics to make my holiday more fulfilling to consolidate the work I have already done to try something new to be in touch with classicists and meet new people a wonderful way of spending a holiday to expand my knowledge and prepare for A2 I want to do Classics at university but can't do it at school revise some topics - and have some fun! to find out if Classics at university was really for me

Agamemnon prepares to walk the carpet

What have you liked most about the Summer School?

getting to grips with completely new topics the friendly and relaxed atmosphere the good company at work and play the wide range of subjects the rehearsals and performances - everyone could get involved I really liked the lessons, always informative and never boring pretty much everything fun lessons everything! from the teachers to the food teachers mixing socially with students making lots of friends sports activities watching Michael Wood videos! lovely surroundings, excellent standard of accommodation learning Greek the enthusiasm of the teachers acting in my first play

A tutor contemplates his next course

What have you liked least about the Summer School?

early morning start ! impossible to say - the whole experience was most enjoyable having to leave so soon it was too short going home

Tutors and students consider their options

 

What do you think you have gained/learned most from the Summer School?

have been able to connect up various areas different perspectives on the texts a good overview of Greek history friendship and professional help a different way of learning Latin a wider knowlege of the subject an aspect of my character I knew nothing about - the actress! different ways to approach and analyse Greek literature I have learnt more about myself and other people Latin is not dead more confidence through meeting and working with new people the chance to study new subjects a greater interest in pottery Classics teachers aren't boring!

Tutors with hang-dog expressions await their finest moment - "How much is that doggie in the Waspies?"

 

Which teaching session did you enjoy the most and why?

sculpture - a really good introduction to something I've wanted to study for a long time can't answer! All sessions had something different to offer impossible to asnwer! But Beginner's Latin - has certainly motivated me to continue tragedy - because of the depth and analytical approach; everlastingly new, new perspectives Intermediate Latin - it will put me ahead of my Classics set! A challenge and fun. Enjoyable texts Greek History - very informative, helped me to understand references in the texts Beginner's Greek - an excellent introduction to the subject, new and challenging Minoan and Mycenaean civilisation - really enjoyable, very interesting, completely different to any other part of the course Mythology - fun teacher, lots of arguments, great stories, a teacher who could really relate to his pupils Socrates! enjoable to find out more about this fascinating character Comedy - the atmosphere was great and the people friendly and relaxed - but I really enjoyed all my sessions the evening classes - they were quite informal and relaxed the Aeneid - because it was a new text to me the Odyssey! - it's a great book Vase painting - new to me and fascinating All of them were fun!

Still life from the Aeneid - watch out for the tree on the right, soon to guest in Coronation Street   Students enjoy rare respite from their studies

 

What other subjects would you like to have seen offered on the Summer School?

more on the Roman Empire? - religion, Rome the Roman Republic - Cicero philosophy women in the ancient world Greek architecture Music in the Greek world Juvenal Livy

A torch "girl" with Procleon

 

In what ways do you think the teaching sessions could be improved?

none team teaching? greater concentration on fewer subjects more time for the sessions - and for viewing videos slightly shorter lessons and more of them The standard of teaching was excellent - it would be hard to improve on this I've had an excellent time - thank you very much! I think the right pitch was achieved, given the wide range of knowledge and experiences of the class Thank you very much for all your hard work, it has been much appreciated. I have really enjoyed my time here

The Dog siciliates the cheese