Does anyone use Prima Latina and like it a lot?

[MelissaMinNC]

I really like the looks of Lively Latin, but I have some concerns: my printer is pretty lousy and it's up in the air whether we'll be able to replace it any time soon, dd will only be in 2d grade, and I think she could handle the reading without any trouble, but not sure about the writing requirements. Also, other folks have mentioned that they've had trouble with errors and getting support from the website. I understand it's a beta version, but with no Latin background, I need to be able to get help when I need it, and I'm not even sure I'd be able to tell if something was an error or not.

So....I'm looking at Prima Latina. Is this a good choice, for a Latin program that will incorporate the basics of English grammar, be fairly simple to implement, and not too heavy on the writing requirements?

Is there another program I should be considering that I don't know about? I looked a little bit at Latin's Not So Tough! but I'm not sure the method makes sense to me.

So....pros, cons, opinions, reviews and philosophies all welcome!

:)
Melissa

[cajun.classical]

I really like the looks of Lively Latin, but I have some concerns: my printer is pretty lousy and it's up in the air whether we'll be able to replace it any time soon, dd will only be in 2d grade, and I think she could handle the reading without any trouble, but not sure about the writing requirements. Also, other folks have mentioned that they've had trouble with errors and getting support from the website. I understand it's a beta version, but with no Latin background, I need to be able to get help when I need it, and I'm not even sure I'd be able to tell if something was an error or not.

So....I'm looking at Prima Latina. Is this a good choice, for a Latin program that will incorporate the basics of English grammar, be fairly simple to implement, and not too heavy on the writing requirements?

Is there another program I should be considering that I don't know about? I looked a little bit at Latin's Not So Tough! but I'm not sure the method makes sense to me.

So....pros, cons, opinions, reviews and philosophies all welcome!

:)
Melissa

I love Prima Latina. I've used with 2 of my own children and taught it to a Co-op class of Second Graders. It's very easy to implement and a very gentle introduction to Latin and parts of Speech. It includes vocabulary, prayers, a hymm (I think), Latin Sayings, some conversation, and at the end a few grammar forms. I've done the course with the writing and I've done it orally. Oral is my preference when using it at home. YOu could do Prima this year and go into Lively Latin next year. I prefer to start a more grammar intensive program in third grade.

I've taught through the whole Latina Christiana series several times. Let me know if you have any other questions. One more thing. If time is a factor, you could easily do Prima Latina one day a week and then review the vocabulary during your memory time each day. Doesn't get much easier than that. And if you do it orally, you only really need the Teacher's Manual. Get the student workbook only if you want your child to write. The Teacher's Manual includes all the student pages so it's really all you need.

[MelissaMinNC]

What is your opinion on the pronunciation cd's and/or dvd's?

Again, I have no Latin background at all, so this will be all new for me, as well as dd....

Thanks!
:)
Melissa

[Shelly in MD]

I have used Prima Latina with 3 kids, when my dc were 1st/2nd grade. Actually, I am using it now with my 1st grade dd. I liked it, they liked it, and it was simple to use. They learn 5 vocabulary words/week, along with several prayers over the course of the year. We do have the pronunciation CD, but not the instructional DVD. Honestly, the books and CD were plenty for us.

I am using Lively Latin this year with a 5th grader, to refresh the Latin we had done in the past but dropped last year. While I could use that with my 1st grader as well, I don't think it would be as enjoyable for her as Prima Latina. I will probably move her to Lively Latin in 2nd or 3rd grade.

Let me know if you have more specific questions.

Shelly

[cajun.classical]

What is your opinion on the pronunciation cd's and/or dvd's?

Again, I have no Latin background at all, so this will be all new for me, as well as dd....

Thanks!
:)
Melissa

Sure, Melissa. No problem.

The pronunciation cd would be nice if you are unsure how to pronounce the words. I know some people really like the dvds and that's an option that I recommend to people who are terribly intimidated by Latin and want some serious hand-holding. But I don't think they are absolutely necessary. I've never seen them, but the Teacher's Manual is very easy to use. Prima Latin is a very gentle introduction. It doesn't really get into anything difficult: 5 vocab words a week. Parts of Speech. Why don't you get the TM and see if you think you can do it without the DVDs. I like to save money.

[MelissaMinNC]

I too, like (need!) to save money. I'm not terribly intimidated by the idea of Latin, so I think I will start with the TM.

Thanks again!
:)
Melissa

[Jami]

Nothing new to add to Angelina's thoughts other than a "ditto". :)

I'm a mom without Latin experience (a smattering of modern language experience) and I love using PL. My children love PL. Latin is their favorite subject. ;) For our family it's just the right introduction to Latin.

Jami

[Beth in Central TX]

Another ditto. I credit PL with our Latin success so far. If I didn't have a good start teaching Latin (with no Latin background myself), I probably would not have continued on my own, nor would I have such long-term Latin goals like I do now.