If something is hallowed then it is very respected because of its importance.

If something is outdated then it is old-fashioned and no longer considered current.

A generation refers to all of the people born and living at about the same time.

If something occurs across generations it can be described as intergenerational.

An abbreviation is a shortened form of a word or phrase.

Comparing the Lord's Prayer over time

English

A history of the English language

Reading an Anglo-Saxon Bible extract

Exploring how a word's meaning can change over time

Creating a new word

Planning a persuasive speech about a new word

Writing a persuasive speech about a new word

Delivering a persuasive speech about a new word

In 'A History of Language' students gain an understanding of the way in which English has evolved over time. In 'Perspectives on Gender', students also consider how language has been shaped by historical and social factors.

In 'Sherlock Holmes: Short Stories', students practise argumentative speaking as part of role-playing a court case. In 'A History of Language',  students also argue to justify the addition of their new word to the dictionary.   

In this unit, pupils explore the history of the English Language. They first learn about the development of the English Language, before using a single word and the Lord's Prayer to explore how language changes. They then plan, write and deliver a persuasive speech about a new word.

A history of language

In which language was the Lord's Prayer first spoken?

The Lord's Prayer first appeared in English in the 10th century. In which text is it first recorded?

The most widely known version of the Lord's Prayer is from the King James Bible. In which year was it first published?

Cultural references that are no longer relevant

Which of the things below might indicate to us that a text was written a long time ago?

Abbreviations are more common on social media.

Abbreviations have only been invented in the last 30 years.

Older generations consider abbreviations rude.

Younger generations are more likely to use abbreviations. Why so?

Old-fashioned and no longer considered current.

What is the definition of the word 'outdated'? Here it is used in a sentence: 'The students believed the text to be very old as the language was outdated'.

Which group was most responsible for the creation of Old English?

Across Modern English, Old English and Latin, words associated with which field are very similar?

What was the name of the language spoken in England between the 5th and 12th centuries?

All of the people born and living at about the same time.

Very respected because of its importance.

Match the below keywords with their definitions.

In which language was the story 'Beowulf' written in?

Which of these is **not** an example of a language spoken in Britain before the adoption of Old English?

Exit Quiz

In which language was the Lord's Prayer first spoken?