More uncertainty. Lingua Latina vs. Latin Alive!

[Robin in Tx]

I had dinner with my lovely sil last night, who teaches latin at a classical school. They've used LL for a number of years and are switching to LA! this year. They haven't been extremely pleased with the results they've received with LL (she admitted it could be due to inexperienced teachers - she said her class did fine), but more importantly they want to focus more on actual latin writings (not invented stories) and roman culture and history, etc., and how the text will prepare better for the NLE, etc. They are very excited about LA!.

Okay, so now I'm taking a second look at my plans.

Any comments? The LA! publishers will be at our conference this Friday, so I'll have a chance to look at it and talk to them...

Robin

[Beth in SW WA]

and how the text will prepare better for the NLE, etc.

I have heard that parents are pressing teachers to prepare their students for success on the NLE -- which LL doesn't do. I know that Lone Pine Classical does add tons of history/geography, etc,in order to prepare the students for the NLE. The owner of LPC is really proud of her kids' success on the NLE -- but she adds a lot to LL, which is her main text.

Mr. Spotts from Potters School doesn't want to "teach to a test" -- he wants his students to know Latin. LL is his main text, but he does add some history & geography which will help kids on the NLE. But that is not his aim.

That was my first question I asked him last Fall about his program -- Does LL prepare kids for the NLE. He set me straight.

Its a philosophical difference. Henle, Latin Alive and other grammar-based Latin programs will ensure more success on the NLE. One concern I have is that Henle relies so much on fighting the Gauls, that some kids, especially girls, can really tire of that content, thus losing interest in Latin. I know my kids would have learned to despise Latin if we kept w/ our original plan of the grammar-based method.

We're opting for LL w/ Mr. Spotts (following LC 1 & 2 last year). I don't care about NLE scores anymore. I'd rather have my kids enjoy Latin.

Pardon my Sunday morning ramblings. Not enough coffee...:)

I hope LatinTeach & Plaid Dad chime in and correct any mis-statements I may have made :)

As for your original question, should you use LL or Latin Alive? LL cannot be taught w/o some experience in Latin. LA is a pick-up-and-go for non-Latin moms.

Again, I could be so wrong...

[Robin in Tx]

Thanks, Beth. You know, I think I'm coming full circle back to my first plan which was to go with Henle and use LL only for reading... I don't have enough latin to teach it myself and I'm not interested in an online class for latin this year. My sil threw me for a loop with LA! last night, but honestly, it is brand new and level 2 won't be out till next summer. My dd has already had Latin I and I need a program that will allow us to progress to second year by winter or so... I don't want to get bogged down with a schedule that forces us to go slower than we should. With LA!, we could finish it up early and not have the next text for months. *Not* what I want!!

Thanks for all your helpful responses.

Robin