Learning Latin with Arthur Scargill et al

References to the miners’ leader Arthur Scargill helped Dr Fiona Thompson when translating Latin. Photograph: Bryn Colton/Hulton Archive

I was intrigued by your article (Teachers encouraged to use Taylor Swift lyrics to make Latin accessible, 7 April). My experience of being taught New Testament Greek in the mid-80s relied on a knowledge of current affairs.

Our teacher, the brilliant Prof Michael Goulder from Birmingham University, used to present us with a piece to translate each week, written in his own fair hand. This might be a biblical piece, a piece from ancient Greek material, or a contemporary news story.