Which Latin programs are secular?

[littlewigglebutts]

Title says it all. Especially looking for a program for 7-8yos, that requires no prior experience for student or teacher. TIA

[training5]

Minimus... Latin's Not So Tough...

This is an excellent question.

[Targhee]

This is a Christian website, but it has a chart comparing many Latin programs, and includes whether they are secular.

http://www.homeschoolchristian.com/curricula/reviews/latincomparison.php

BTW, the "Christian references" in Minimus are minimal. They're more like time-frame references (as in on the timeline "Christ is born in the Roman province of Palestine"). I would call Minimus secular.

[sparrow]

Lively Latin.

I'm using with a 7 year old and just turned 9 year old with very good results. It's one of their favorite subjects. I have no prior Latin experience. I'm learning right along with them. I find it to be very teacher friendly.

[yslek]

Even though it's put out by a Christian company, I have only found one religious reference so far in Latin for Children A (and we're more than halfway through).

Each chapter has a "chapter maxim", which is some kind of famous Latin quote or saying. The maxim for chapter one is "in principio erat verbum--In the beginning was the word. John 1:1". That's it. Everything else is completely secular so far.

HTH

[Paula in PA]

Minimus... Latin's Not So Tough...

This is an excellent question.

I agree that Minimus is secular, and excellent. LNST starts out seemingly secular, but as the upper levels get more and more religious as you go through them, I don't consider the series to be truly secular.

[Laura Corin]

For older children, Latin Prep is secular (similar 'cultural' references only).

Laura

[latinteach]

Title says it all. Especially looking for a program for 7-8yos, that requires no prior experience for student or teacher. TIA

At the age range of 7-8, Minimus and Lively Latin are secular. The American Classical League Teaching Material and Resource Center also has inexpensive secular materials for elementary age Latin. (http://aclclassics.org)

[allearia]

Lively Latin and Minimus - we have and enjoy both.

[HollyDay]

Minimus would be an excellent choice. LFC does have some scripture memory but not much and easily skipped. I have found that most programs contain religious content simply because of the latin used during the "church age".

[WendyK]

Even though it's put out by a Christian company, I have only found one religious reference so far in Latin for Children A (and we're more than halfway through).

Each chapter has a "chapter maxim", which is some kind of famous Latin quote or saying. The maxim for chapter one is "in principio erat verbum--In the beginning was the word. John 1:1". That's it. Everything else is completely secular so far.

HTH

What was the reference? Just curious. I'm seriously considering this program. I think I can live with some minimal references.

Right now we are using Latin's Not So Tough. So far I haven't come across any religious references.

[littlewigglebutts]

Okay, so basically Lively Latin and Minimus (with Christian time frame references) are secular.

Latin's not so Tough starts out secular but religious content increases quite a bit in later levels.

Latin for Children has minor scripture memorization that's easily skipped.

No wonder I was getting all confused. And I don't mind some religious references or easily skipped content. I think the development of language centers around what it's used for and a lot of Latin was used in a religious cintext. Well I guess I'm off to check out Lively Latin and Minimus first. Thanks for all the replies!

[Audrey]

And then there's the pronunciation issue.

IMO, anything that uses ecclesiatical pronunciation is not secular.

[latinteach]

And then there's the pronunciation issue.

IMO, anything that uses ecclesiatical pronunciation is not secular.

Well, that's not necessarily true. I think that both Lively Latin and Linney's Getting Started with Latin have ecclesiastical pronunciation options, but I think they are both secular.

[Audrey]

Well, that's not necessarily true. I think that both Lively Latin and Linney's Getting Started with Latin have ecclesiastical pronunciation options, but I think they are both secular.

Possibly. But, I'm referring to those programs that are eccl. pron., period. I've never seen Lively Latin, but Getting Started just outlines the differences between eccl. and classical. That's not the same as the program being eccl. pron.

[yslek]

What was the reference? Just curious. I'm seriously considering this program. I think I can live with some minimal references.

Right now we are using Latin's Not So Tough. So far I haven't come across any religious references.

The quote ("chapter maxim") I listed in my post was the reference. I haven't seen anything else remotely religious yet. :)