IT’S about time that Latin was taught in state schools. Under government plans lessons will be offered to thousands of state school pupils as part of efforts to make the language less ‘elitist’. My husband studied Latin at boarding school and sometimes points out to me English words which are derived from it. His knowledge of Latin and subjects that were alien to my state comprehensive, means he always beats me hands down at University Challenge. So as well as Latin, let state schools study the other ‘elitist’ stuff too - classics, Greek mythology, philosophy and the like.