Latin Advice Please?(crosspost)

[ncmomof3]

I am mostly a lurker here with an occasional venture forth with a question. I am needing some wisdom on what to do next in Latin. My dd ages 11 and 13 are finishing LC II this year and I am not sure what to do next. When I looked at Henle, it seemed a bit dry to me. I am considering doing Ecce Romani for a couple of years, and then moving on to a high school text such as Cambridge or Wheelocks. I also thought about using So You Really Want to Learn Latin either after Ecce or instead of it, but I'm unsure of its difficulty level. I intend to continue Latin through High School, so we have plenty of time. I also want a good emphasis on grammar and translation. Obviously, I have no clue how to proceed and would appreciate any advice or critiques. Thanks so much!

[LisaNY]

Many people here are using Latin Prep by Galore Park. The standard sequence, from what I've learned here is Latin Prep, Books 1-3, followed by Book 3 of So, You Really Want To Learn Latin by Galore Park. Upon finishing this sequence, your dc will be ready to tackle real Latin authors.

If it is standard grammar/translation you want, then Ecce Romani would not be a good choice for you. Ecce is a reading-based approach to learning Latin, where grammar is learned within the context of a running storyline. (Much like Cambridge, Lingua Latina, etc.)

[Moira in MA]

Yes, Henle is a little dry but it certainly teaches the grammar and the repetition is good to solidify that. As to the subject matter, it was written in the 40s and intended for young males. It is full of war. My 2 girls just rolled their eyes but have done well with it. To leaven the lump and introduce non-military vocabulary I add reading Lingua Latina.

My now 15 year old, 10th gade, moved from Henle second year to Latin III at Scholars Online this year with little difficulty. Yes, her vocabulary was somewhat smaller than those who completed Wheelock's Latin but her grasp of the grammar is stronger.

My 13 year old is completing Henle first year and will do second year for 9th grade.

HTH

[ncmomof3]

Would it be appropriate to do Latin Prep after finishing LC II, or would it be too simple to start with book one of that series. Also, are the people here using So You Really... as a high school text? I wonder what we would do after the third book, or what would that equate to in terms of high school credits?
Also, Moira, did you use the MP guide or did you do your own thing? Would it be managable for a Mom who doesn't know much Latin to start Henle with this age group?

[LisaNY]

Also, Moira, did you use the MP guide or did you do your own thing? Would it be managable for a Mom who doesn't know much Latin to start Henle with this age group?

I am currently using the MP guide w/my 13yo. dd. The pace is perfect for her, and she actually told me the other day that she really likes Latin now. She has *never* been all that positive about Latin. I think using Henle with the MP guide takes her through the Latin in manageable bits, giving her time to absorb both the vocabulary and grammar. It also has the student reviewing everything daily. She also likes the format of the guide, which has her checking off the boxes as she completes each task. I make use of the MP Henle quizzes, which are not assigned in the guide, but it's easy enough to know when to schedule them. It helps her to note her progress.

So, yes, the MP guide would be an excellent choice for moms with little or no Latin background. They move very slowly, so I don't think it would be a good choice for high school students. The Laura Berquist guide is suitable for that age group. Others can comment on that one, since I have never seen it.

As you move further into Henle, you can also make use of a reading-based text, like Oerberg's Lingua Latina, or the Cambridge Latin series. It will give your students practice in reading "Latin as Latin". They cover the grammar in a different sequence, so I'd stick w/Henle as the main text, and read the other books until you hit grammar you have not yet covered.

Covering Units 1-7 of Henle is the equivalent of 1 yr. hs Latin, and completion of the entire text is 2 yrs of hs Latin.

I also highly recommend that you study the Latin at least a little ahead of your dc. It will make teaching it *so* much easier for you. :)

There is a Henle group at Yahoo, which is full of very helpful people.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HenleLatin/

[ncmomof3]

Very helpful info. Thanks so much!