Why Latin?

[Willma]

I'm thinking of starting a foreign language next yr for my then 1st grader and 3rd grader. Why should I choose Latin over Spanish?

[Plaid Dad]

There have been a lot of threads about this, so you might want to search them out, but here's an article (http://www.latincentered.com/node/196) that gives my reasons.

Two additional thoughts:

(1) Which language you choose depends largely on your educational philosophy. What are you hoping to accomplish by teaching a language to your dc? Is your focus the ability to speak a modern language? Read literature? Learn grammar? Increase English vocabulary? Which language you choose will depend on the answers to those questions.

(2) It's not necessary to choose just one. Many people teach both Latin and a modern language. It will take more time in your day, of course, but you will also have the formative benefits of Latin plus the practical application of Spanish. If I had to choose one to start with, it would be Latin because it will make learning any Romance language that much easier, but your priorities may be different.

Good luck to you! :)

[Tommysmommy]

I second Plaid Dad's rationale.

[Debbie in OR]

I strongly encourage you to read Lee Simmons' book Climbing Parnassus (I checked it out from our library). It is a very good primer for the arguement of teaching our kids Latin and Greek. It was what pushed me over the cliff of indecision about it. I had planned to do some Latin...mainly prefixes, roots, etc.. just to help with vocabulary. But after reading this, I got a clear picture of the enormity of Latin's purpose...it's not just for breakfast, anymore...Debbie

[Crissy]

Don't miss Myrtle's answer to this question.
You can find her post from last month here (http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showpost.php?p=121634&postcount=8).

[Cadam]

Should have known Drew would pounce on this one so I will just say "What he said".