Latin Makes a Comeback
Q. I'm
puzzled why public schools don't teach Latin any more. Isn't it the root
language of the English language? You'd think it would help kids with
vocabulary and thinking skills, if they knew more about where words came from.
Or is Latin really a "dead" language?
If
Latin was once dead, it's being resurrected. A grounding in Latin marks a
serious student. It's not only the demonstrated link between Latin classes and
high SAT scores. Educators and parents are realizing what a great groundwork
Latin provides for all school subjects, and are offering beginning Latin in
about Grade 3, especially in private schools but also in public schools, though
most often as an after-school add-on activity.
The
benefits of knowing Latin are strongest in communications, as Latin grammar is
the basis for English grammar, and helps immensely with writing quality and
precision. Selective colleges love students who have had Latin, because they
know they tend to be better thinkers, too, because of the discipline and
accuracy that Latin requires.
There
are growing numbers of ways to learn Latin, even if the public schools don't
offer this classical and important language. Parents as individuals or in
groups might consider starting a Latin Club in schools that don't offer this
key curriculum, and perhaps it will catch fire. Most of the Latin curricula on
the market are readily available for homeschooling, afterschooling and online
work, and feature DVDs and other technical aids.
An
example is Latin For Children, which
comes with primers in three levels. They are integrated with the outstanding
Shurley Grammar curriculum, and combine classical Latin stories with history
material, tests, games, puzzles and pronunciation guides. See www.classicalacademicpress.com
See
more on:
www.promotelatin.org
http://ancienthistory.about.com/cs/whystudyclassics/a/whystudylatin.htm
By Susan Darst Williams • www.GoBigEd.com • Arithmetic,
Etc. 108 • © 2006
