Please tell me....WHY LATIN? New homeschooler NEEDS to know!

[Alaska Mom]

I'm just STILL not getting it :blink:, WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL WITH LATIN :confused:?

Please explain this in detail if you would please, to help me understand the FULL VALUE OF LATIN; I see so many people on this site that are really big into Latin.

My dd6 has a very strong interest in learning languages which I want to pursue aggressively with her since the interest is there.

Currently here's my plan:
1.Spanish for 3 years (first, second and third grades) using Rosetta Stone. Supposedly that program is the "best" and they tell me it works well for elementary age. After the 3 levels/years your supposed to be "fluent".
2. Follow up with Latin or French in 4th grade if there's still the interest

Any guidance or thoughts from anyone? Should Latin come first? Does it really matter? :D

[melmac]

Have you read The Well Trained Mind? There's a chapter in there that will answer all your questions better than I could. :)

[Alaska Mom]

aaaahhh, thank you! I missed (or rather skipped) that chapter in WTM. I'll go do some reading now :D! My sleep deprived brain feels like mush lately, this home education planning is really something....I'm hoping it gets easier....

I'm still open to any other thoughts or opinions on the subject of Latin...

[amilkingmaid]

three years now. My 16yo was at a presentation where a student was speaking in spanish and he was able to understand quite a bit of it because of his latin studies. He wants to study foreign languages. He is sold on it and I really do think it makes it easier to pick up on other languages because of the foundation that is built.:D

[riada]

I asked this same question a while back. It was recommended to me to read Climbing Parnassus (http://www.memoriapress.com/descriptions/Climbing-Parnassus.html). It is a great book that helps to explain it. HTH!

[Misty]

Latin is *The Mother Tongue*. When we know Latin, English makes more sense to us and the romance languages become easier to learn. Latin is a *discipline*. Latin is everywhere, but you can't see it unless you know it. It's in our language, it's in history, it dominates science and nature, it's on coins, on graduation stages, in hospitals, and even the Marine Corps motto (Semper Fidelis).

Why would we NOT learn Latin? :)

[Plaid Dad]

Two articles that might help: Why Latin? (http://www.latincentered.com/node/196) and Why Not Latin? (http://www.latincentered.com/node/197)

[Testimony]

I'm just STILL not getting it :blink:, WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL WITH LATIN :confused:?

Please explain this in detail if you would please, to help me understand the FULL VALUE OF LATIN; I see so many people on this site that are really big into Latin. :D

The Well Trained Mind is focused on classical education which includes Latin and/or Greek. I just wanted to clarify that because you said that you noticed a lot of people on this site are really big into Latin. Well, Latin is apart of the classical approach to education.

I think that a lot of the mothers have done a good job in responding as to why Latin.



Blessings in your homeschooling journey.

Sincerely,
Karen
www.homeschoolblogger.com/testimony:auto:

[Trivium Academy]

So when your friends find out your children are studying Latin, they will be impressed. :D No, not really but a friend and I were talking about that recently, how when we share that the kids are doing Latin, we're afraid of coming across elitist.

It's come up a lot recently because I just moved to a new town which supposedly has a great school system and people don't understand why I don't want to send our kids there. I tell them, "When they start teaching French and Latin in 3rd grade, then I'll consider it." It's a quick way to say that we do way more than the school does and it's not worth it for our kids to go.

But we're studying Latin because it is the basis of the modern languages and I want my children to master one foreign language before they leave me. Latin also provides the valuable roots study that unlocks difficult vocabulary, the National Spelling Bee champions (I think the last two years) have studied Latina Christiana and Greek which they feel helped them the most. This was in a Memoria Press email I received recently.

Just read Drew's article, http://www.memoriapress.com/articles/why-Latin-Greek.html

[Sahamamama]

Yes, it's true that Susan Wise Bauer recommends the study of Latin in her book, The Well-Trained Mind, but it's also true that the goal advocated there does NOT seem to be the same goal for studying Latin that you would find in, say, Andrew Campbell's book, The Latin-Centered Curriculum. For SWB, it seems that the goal of learning Latin is to be able to handle English well, while for AC the goal is to read the original Latin texts. Others, including Andrew Campbell (Plaid Dad), have given you links for the second viewpoint. For SWB's perspective, you might want to read this:

http://www.susanwisebauer.com/blog/?p=103

As you will note, these are quite different purposes, and only you can decide which track is right for you. As the homeschooling parent, you have to determine what your goals are and how far you want to take it. Do you want your children to read original Latin and/or Greek texts, or will you pursue Latin more as a way to enhance vocabulary, grammar, and analytical skills? Or will you continue studying a modern language while working through a Latin and Greek "roots" vocabulary study?

Your current plan is to study Spanish via Rosetta Stone for 1st through 3rd grades, and then to study Latin and/or French beginning in 4th grade. This is an excellent plan and there is no reason to change it. Many students have started Latin in 4th grade, or even later, so this is not a problem. But if your goal is for your daughter to read original Latin and/or Greek texts, you might want to begin a Latin program (for example, Prima Latina or Latin for Children or Song School Latin) a bit earlier. Again, it depends on your goal, but I think your current plan is excellent.

[Lizzie in Ma]

Two articles that might help: Why Latin? (http://www.latincentered.com/node/196) and Why Not Latin? (http://www.latincentered.com/node/197)

:iagree:

[Jami]

Another great source for articles:

http://www.memoriapress.com/articles/index.html

Scroll down to the Latin section and you'll find several articles defending the teaching of Latin. Explaining what it does for a student.

I agree with Testimony, if you're interested in pursuing a classical education, it needs to include classical language(s) to fit the label. Now it's perfectly wonderful and fine to prefer a traditional liberal arts education, but sans Latin and/or Greek, it's just not classical by the historic understanding of the word. :001_smile:

Jami

[Beth in SW WA]

[QUOTE=Alaska Mom;450254]WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL WITH LATIN :confused:?QUOTE]

Mental gymnastics :)

[Colleen in NS]

this home education planning is really something....I'm hoping it gets easier....

I'm still open to any other thoughts or opinions on the subject of Latin...

About Latin: what everyone else said

About home ed planning: it doesn't get easier, it gets addictive!! :lol:

[Colleen]

For SWB, it seems that the goal of learning Latin is to be able to handle English well, while for AC the goal is to read the original Latin texts.

Yes, there are differing goals. My goal, for example, has never been to enable my children (or me) to read original Latin sources. That's of no import to me whatsoever, and I seriously doubt it will be to any of my boys, either. I consider studying Latin a worthwhile exercise in mental gymnastics (as Beth said, below), a means to further one's understanding of the grammar of language, an "added bonus", so to speak. Latin is part of our history, albeit our distant history, and studying it broadens our horizons and stimulates our minds.

As I say, though, Latin fluency is not a penultimate goal of mine. Far more important are modern languages, which I introduce on a casual basis in the elementary years and with more rigor beyond that stage. Rosetta Stone is part of our program, but by no means do I consider use of RS alone, especially at a young age, a means to attaining fluency. I don't even recommend paying the big bucks for RS if one's children are still as young as are the original poster's.

[krazzymommy]

I received this email article (http://www.memoriapress.com/articles/July08/textbooks.html) from Memoria Press a few days ago. I shared it with some family members. I thought that it was a good, practical article on how and why knowing Latin can be beneficial in one's everyday life.

[Beth in SW WA]

I received this email article (http://www.memoriapress.com/articles/July08/textbooks.html) from Memoria Press a few days ago. I shared it with some family members. I thought that it was a good, practical article on how and why knowing Latin can be beneficial in one's everyday life.

I have shared many of these articles w/ my family as to why we're doing latin.

They still think I'm crazy...:)

[Sahamamama]

I have shared many of these articles w/ my family as to why we're doing latin.

They still think I'm crazy...:)

Sorry, Beth, I tried to pos rep you (think I did, actually), but somehow all I got typed in was Thatsss. I tried to backspace to put in the apostrophe, and poof! the message was sent. Sorry.

I was ABOUT to say, That's so ironic that your family thinks you are crazy for teaching your children Latin. There was a day when people realized the value of Latin as part of a good education, and there was NO apology necessary for it. I understand you, though, because I have recently started learning Latin myself (for the first time, age 41), and I swore my husband to secrecy. "If you tell my family members I'm doing this...." :glare: He now knows he has something to bargain with, if it comes to it. :001_huh:

[Beth in SW WA]

Sorry, Beth, I tried to pos rep you (think I did, actually), but somehow all I got typed in was Thatsss. I tried to backspace to put in the apostrophe, and poof! the message was sent. Sorry.

No worries! Its all good... :)

[Lovedtodeath]

I definitely fall into the why not latin category on that LCC site. So what is the best course of action if my plan is for fluency in Spanish, enough French and enough ASL to get by and my only reason for Latin is for vocabulary, spelling, and making English, Spanish and French easier? The articles don't seem to tell one WHAT to do, only the reasons for choosing it... I have often wondered why Latin? That question is answered but I don't know what to do with it. Sorry... We have a teether on our hands; I am very sleepless. I would appreciate help before purchasing our first foreign language curricula.

[Lovedtodeath]

I feel stupid for asking now. :001_huh: Sorry for the threadjack. :confused:

[clwcain]

I feel stupid for asking now. :001_huh: Sorry for the threadjack. :confused:

Don't feel stupid. It's a legitimate question. And, at least in my experience, there's some tolerance of threadjacking around here so long as it's relevant.

For those who want the advantages of familiarity with Latin and/or Greek roots of English words, there are several good programs out there. I'm not familiar with any titles, being a Latin & Greek advocate from the LCC camp, but there's a thread asking this question at least once a month or so. A search of the archives should find something.

HTH

[matroyshka]

I definitely fall into the why not latin category on that LCC site. So what is the best course of action if my plan is for fluency in Spanish, enough French and enough ASL to get by and my only reason for Latin is for vocabulary, spelling, and making English, Spanish and French easier? The articles don't seem to tell one WHAT to do, only the reasons for choosing it... I have often wondered why Latin? That question is answered but I don't know what to do with it. Sorry... We have a teether on our hands; I am very sleepless. I would appreciate help before purchasing our first foreign language curricula.

I don't think you have anything to apologize for... I think learning Latin is a worthwhile goal, I just don't have it myself. :) I share with you as my primary goal fluency in one (or more) modern foreign language. Yes, Latin can make it easier to learn a modern Romance language, but learning a modern Romance language also makes it easier it learn Latin. :tongue_smilie:

For Spanish, I would suggest having your dd listen to as much as it as possible - for fluency, hearing the sounds at a young age is key. I have found that people can have perfect grammar and sentence structure, but if their accent stinks, they still don't sound fluent. OTOH, if you've got a perfect accent and screw up some grammar, people don't even notice.

I recommend these CDs and accompanying songbooks for early Spanish exposure. http://joseluisorozco.com/frameset_index.htm Listen to them in the car over & over. Incorporate them into a circle time. You could also find a good elementary curriculum (if you can find one you love, share it. I copped out and hired a native tutor). If you speak Spanish yourself, read to them. Have them watch DVDs in Spanish (many English ones have the option to be viewed in Spanish as well). So as not to hijack this thread further, I'll cap that there, as I can espouse at length on this subject...

For Latin/Greek roots, a great way to start would be Rummy Roots -a great card game that could be started with any age kid that's reading, I think.

I also use Word Roots books (there is also software), but I honestly don't think you have to start that till 3rd or 4th grade. They've recently come out with Word Roots books for younger kids (2nd grade, I think?). Before that, I just pointed out roots as we did our spelling lists - Sequential Spelling is great for making those connections (but even for that I wait till 2nd grade - I see your dd is only 6, I wouldn't panic yet :))

[Lovedtodeath]

Thanks for the replies. I think that most of the people on this thread are of the LCC persuasion and therefore don't have an opinion on what I should do, (since that is not me). I was very glad to have the article, as it really helped me to decide once and for all that I don't want to start with Latin. (thanks Plaid Dad)

I will look into the CDs and such for Spanish. And maybe some french next year for exposure, but not delving into it. Thanks.

[Lovedtodeath]

On the idea that you do not have a classical education unless you learn Latin. Quote from TWTM: "As you've no doubt noticed, Latin is not the defining element of a classical education. Classical Education has to do with setting up solid foundations, with learning how to learn, with mental discipline and intelectual curiousity and a willingness to grapple with the lessons of the past. All of this is much more important than a single foreign language course.

But you still have to take Latin."