Which Latin Program??

[McLinda]

Hello Experts!
I can't thank you enough for all I've learned from you. My daughter has taken Latin for 2 years. Her class was once a week for an hour. The teacher used a communicative approach. Starting in the fall, we will be on our own. Any advice on what you think the best program is? Thanks in advance! : )

[cajun.classical]

Hello Experts!
I can't thank you enough for all I've learned from you. My daughter has taken Latin for 2 years. Her class was once a week for an hour. The teacher used a communicative approach. Starting in the fall, we will be on our own. Any advice on what you think the best program is? Thanks in advance! : )

What's her age?

[McLinda]

; )

[TracyR]

Yes. First , how old is she ?
Next you'll get a million different answers and you need to go with the one that you think will fit your goals and ability to teach Latin .
Are you looking for a christian Latin program or a secular one ?

My three daughters right now are using Prima Latina they are 10 , 8 and 5 . Of course following it in different levels . But I chose this program because it included the Christian prayers . I also like the fact they have a DVD program as well as I couldn't teach Latin myself to save my life :>)

But if I chose a secular program I would go with Latin for Children as this too has a DVD program that can guide you along in teaching .
Of course by no means do you have to get the DVD's to teach the programs . I know that Prima Latina and the rest of the Latina Christiana programs have CD's so that you can hear the pronunciation . But I find if I can use a Latin program with DVD's we're 'safe' .

Whatever you use I do recommend you start at the beginning with the program regardless of age .
I see too many posts where they start with the next level due to their child's age and I think it just sets everyone up for frustration and failure . The LC courses start with Prima Latina , then Latina Christiana 1, Latina Christiana 2 then Henle . Now I'm not saying you have to use these but I'm using this as an example .
I see alot of people skip Prima Latina and then say My child is just struggling with Latina Christiana 1 . I feel that a firm foundation regardless of the age level recommendations is more important then wether you have a child that is age 12 and starting with LC 1 and having them get frustrated . Even I've benefitted from starting from the beginning myself . Even though I could of plowed through PL much quicker if I did that on my own .

Anyways that's much more then you were asking . There are tons of Latin programs out there and you just need to do your research and find what fits best for you and your daughter . I also advise learning Latin along with her as well . It only helps .

[TracyR]

Whoops never mind . I see she's taken 2 yrs of Latin already .
Hmm. Maybe Latina Christiana 2 ?

[Laura Corin]

Hello Experts!
I can't thank you enough for all I've learned from you. My daughter has taken Latin for 2 years. Her class was once a week for an hour. The teacher used a communicative approach. Starting in the fall, we will be on our own. Any advice on what you think the best program is? Thanks in advance! : )

I'd do Latin Prep, starting from the beginning, and whizzing through any bits she already knows. This is a review I wrote about it previously:

Calvin has finished LP 1 and is on chapter 8 of LP 2. This is a
rigorous, secular, grammar-based programme designed for pupils aged 11
to 13/14. It introduces grammar and vocabulary systematically and
provides lots of practice in translating sentences Latin/English and
English/Latin. Each chapter also includes longer passages for
comprehension, translation and grammar work. The passages usually
concern Greek Myth or Roman history.

The layout of the book is enlivened by cartoons. The text is written
to the child, with some appropriate humour mixed in. One is sometimes
asked to translate ludicrous sentences, which Calvin particularly
enjoys: 'Master, the friends of the poet are murdering the inhabitants
with books' is one of his favourites from book 1. Absurd sentences are
of course harder to translate, as you can't guess them. There is a
word list at the back of each book and a pronunciation guide at the
front of book 1.

Calvin and I do most work orally - this is quicker and makes for a
nice snuggle time. We spend about 90 minutes a week, including
memorisation, and get through just under a book a year.

Pros: logical and fun, with review integrated into the exercises.

Cons: the noun cases are presented in UK/Commonwealth order, rather
than US order. This can be solved by having the student write out the
nouns in your chosen way as part of the memorisation process. Very
occasionally there will be a grammar point that could do with an extra
sentence of explanation. This is a rare occurrence and not something
to worry about.

Recommendation: an excellent programme with few flaws. I recommend it
highly for eager students aged nine and up, and most students from age
eleven.

Laura