OneLuckyMom
10-24-2009, 01:17 AM
Hello Everyone,
I've learned so much from lurking these forums the last few weeks and want to thank everyone for sharing their experiences. I hope I'm posting this in the correct section of the forum.
Currently, I am in need of guidance in choosing a Latin program for my seventh grade, 12 year old DS. Some background: he qualifies for all Johns Hopkins programs, is a straight A student, and has been studying Spanish since first grade, which he finds easy. His verbal skills test at Grade Equivalents 13+, 98th percentiles. He liked the Epic of Gilgamesh in sixth grade and asked for a more complete version than what the school covered.
He has expressed a desire to learn Latin for (I am very embarrassed to admit) the last several years. He feels it will be useful in learning more languages in the future. He recently has been mentioning learning French someday. He also loves cartoons, and The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series of books. He has an interest in visiting Italy someday based on my recollections of my trip many years ago.
He does very well with DVD based programs he can put in the laptop and take with him, but also does well sitting with his textbooks, just not as enjoyable. He does very well also with CD's he can listen to at bedtime. He is very involved with music, Scouts, and one sport, so his time during the week is very limited. He will be studying independently when he gets home from school, probably three days a week.
I feel like I have wasted too much (of his) time for my lack of knowledge of how valuable studying Latin can be, and I now want to do everything I can to facilitate his Latin study in the most enjoyable (for him), but thorough, way possible. I very much regret not looking into this sooner, and wish I had known better. No one tells you this stuff!
I **think** this is what I understand from my forum readings: that there are grammar based programs, reading based programs, and combo programs. That if I had to choose, I should be more concerned with grammar first(?), but that many folks do more than one program to get the benefits of both types. That some programs focus mainly on learning the mechanics of the language, while others add a rich history component. That the classical pronunciation is more useful in general in terms of standardized testing and college study, but that it's easy to pick up one once you know the other.
The programs I have browsed online to one degree or another include Lively Latin, Latin for Children, Latin Prep, Prima Latina, Latina Christiana, Ecce Romani, Cambridge, and Latin for the New Millennium. My head hurts!!
Can you please correct any impressions of mine that may be incorrect, fill me in on any important things I might need to know to help him be successful, and help guide me to the most appropriate starter course, or combination of courses based on the type of kid he is?
I am looking for something not too dry, with a decent amount of interesting history (but not too much). He might be more interested in a true historical storyline than in a fictitious one for reading passages. I want his efforts to be put to good use, and be well prepared for HS Latin, and possibly eventually AP testing, if he continues.
Programs with associated DVD, CD, and online resources would be really welcome. Due to our faith, some prayers or some Ecclesiastical exposure would not be a problem to us at all, but he is not headed for the seminary! One last thing - I would want the program to be mostly self taught, as I have studied only some Italian, not Latin, but DH is available to pitch in, if needed, on a limited basis - he studied one year of HS Latin. Of course, a reasonable price is important.
What do you all think?
I've learned so much from lurking these forums the last few weeks and want to thank everyone for sharing their experiences. I hope I'm posting this in the correct section of the forum.
Currently, I am in need of guidance in choosing a Latin program for my seventh grade, 12 year old DS. Some background: he qualifies for all Johns Hopkins programs, is a straight A student, and has been studying Spanish since first grade, which he finds easy. His verbal skills test at Grade Equivalents 13+, 98th percentiles. He liked the Epic of Gilgamesh in sixth grade and asked for a more complete version than what the school covered.
He has expressed a desire to learn Latin for (I am very embarrassed to admit) the last several years. He feels it will be useful in learning more languages in the future. He recently has been mentioning learning French someday. He also loves cartoons, and The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series of books. He has an interest in visiting Italy someday based on my recollections of my trip many years ago.
He does very well with DVD based programs he can put in the laptop and take with him, but also does well sitting with his textbooks, just not as enjoyable. He does very well also with CD's he can listen to at bedtime. He is very involved with music, Scouts, and one sport, so his time during the week is very limited. He will be studying independently when he gets home from school, probably three days a week.
I feel like I have wasted too much (of his) time for my lack of knowledge of how valuable studying Latin can be, and I now want to do everything I can to facilitate his Latin study in the most enjoyable (for him), but thorough, way possible. I very much regret not looking into this sooner, and wish I had known better. No one tells you this stuff!
I **think** this is what I understand from my forum readings: that there are grammar based programs, reading based programs, and combo programs. That if I had to choose, I should be more concerned with grammar first(?), but that many folks do more than one program to get the benefits of both types. That some programs focus mainly on learning the mechanics of the language, while others add a rich history component. That the classical pronunciation is more useful in general in terms of standardized testing and college study, but that it's easy to pick up one once you know the other.
The programs I have browsed online to one degree or another include Lively Latin, Latin for Children, Latin Prep, Prima Latina, Latina Christiana, Ecce Romani, Cambridge, and Latin for the New Millennium. My head hurts!!
Can you please correct any impressions of mine that may be incorrect, fill me in on any important things I might need to know to help him be successful, and help guide me to the most appropriate starter course, or combination of courses based on the type of kid he is?
I am looking for something not too dry, with a decent amount of interesting history (but not too much). He might be more interested in a true historical storyline than in a fictitious one for reading passages. I want his efforts to be put to good use, and be well prepared for HS Latin, and possibly eventually AP testing, if he continues.
Programs with associated DVD, CD, and online resources would be really welcome. Due to our faith, some prayers or some Ecclesiastical exposure would not be a problem to us at all, but he is not headed for the seminary! One last thing - I would want the program to be mostly self taught, as I have studied only some Italian, not Latin, but DH is available to pitch in, if needed, on a limited basis - he studied one year of HS Latin. Of course, a reasonable price is important.
What do you all think?