If you wish to discover Latin, the first thing you have to make a decision is how. What approach do you wish to utilize? What Latin roadway do you want to take?
If I’m being honest, there are as many means to find out Latin as there are Latin instructors, students, and courses. Yet when it comes down to it, they all come down to one of three classifications:
- The grammar and translation approach
- The analysis approach
- Energetic Latin
Each of these approaches highlights a different strategy to knowing. The grammar and translation approach concentrates on-you guessed it-Latin grammar, patterns, word types, and much more literal translation. The analysis technique, on the other hand, uses basic Latin tales to show comprehension and grammar. Lastly, energetic Latin-which is a newer approach of teaching the language-prioritizes comprehension and understanding above all else, even translation.
When it comes down to it, selecting a technique for learning Latin is an individual choice and depends upon your goals and inspirations.Join Us www.pps-spp.ca/ website
In this blog post, I’ll sum up all three approaches, allow you understand the benefits and drawbacks of each, and even assist you with some inquiries so you can zero in on the ideal approach for you. And also, checked out throughout to discover my individual favored, proven technique for getting one of the most out of this incredible language.
The Grammar and Translation Technique
The grammar and translation (GT) approach of finding out Latin shows grammar structures and types. This technique focuses on verb formulas, sentence structure, and being able to break down Latin sentences right into their smaller, grammatical components. In other words, this technique is all about the basics of Latin-who’s the subject, what’s the verb, what type of sentence is it?
You will learn the grammatic building blocks of Latin and after that de-code Latin sentences based upon those building blocks. I such as to think of it as grammar math.
Some preferred examples of the Grammar-Translation technique consist of Wheelock’s Latin and Allen and Greenough’s New Latin Grammar. Several university Latin professors love Wheelock’s Latin for its extensive grammar lessons and holistic method to the language. It’s a wonderful area to start!
The Reading Technique
The analysis technique of learning Latin uses curated, frequently anecdotal Latin tales to introduce grammar points individually and motivate understanding. As the name recommends, you do a lot of analysis in Latin and answer a lot of comprehension concerns (some in Latin and some in English). Most reading-based textbooks include stories created for the educational program (versus original Latin) and present grammar as needed.
Some popular examples of the analysis technique consist of Ecce Romani and Lingua Latina. Both make use of episodic, curated stories to present grammar a little each time.
Active Latin
Energetic Latin is a more recent method to teaching Latin and prioritizes understanding most of all else (even proper translation). It was birthed from problems that the other methods-especially the GT method-weren’t properly preparing trainees to read Latin. Besides, equating and reviewing are not the same.
Active Latin is created to work like any other second language course where the emphasis gets on talking, analysis, and interacting, NOT on equating a text word-for-word. It would certainly approach a sentence something similar to this:
So, which technique is right for you?
People discover Latin for all sorts of reasons and they discover it in all sorts of methods. When it pertains to selecting the technique that’s right for you, there are a couple of things to think about. Primarily, what is your inspiration for discovering? And just how do you learn best?
Check out the table below to obtain a much better concept of how your goals line up with the three methods we have actually discussed.
My strategy to training and finding out Latin
I found out utilizing the grammar-translation approach. Occasionally, it was amazing. It transformed me into a substantial grammar geek and it came handy especially when translating some of the harder Latin texts. Yet various other times, I felt like I was lacking in the reading comprehension department. I might consider a sentence and identify the exact grammatical structure, yet I had no concept what any one of words suggested (which you can picture made translation rather hard). This was convenient when it was simply me, but as soon as I started teaching, I recognized that the grammar-translation method could not do the entire job by itself.
If 6 years learning and showing this language has actually instructed me anything, it’s that nobody technique does the whole task. I have actually seen pupils battle with all 3 of them.
The reality is that each technique has its one-of-a-kind benefits and every one has cons that should not be neglected.
That’s why, when I instruct, I make use of a combination of all 3 methods:
- Like the GT approach, I prioritize grammar from the beginning and educate it utilizing solutions that assist simplify the language. Nonetheless, I mix in a lots of translation (both initial Latin and curated passages) from the start and seldom ever make use of isolated sentences.
- Like the analysis technique, I write many enjoyable episodic stories for my pupils that help them increase their vocab and generate translations from a mix of grammar understanding and context. However, I likewise subject pupils to initial Latin at an early stage and supplement their knowing with comprehensive grammar lessons.
- Considered that active Latin is a more recent method, I’m still in the process of implementing this set and have actually discovered that it works much better for some pupils than it provides for others. My two biggest takeaways from active Latin are: (1) the significance of having pupils write in Latin; and (2) encouraging students to review the whole flow in Latin before translating any of it.
Finally …
Inevitably, the approach you select depends on your objectives, individual choice, and just how you discover finest. I got into Latin because I wished to enhance my English grammar and find out more concerning initial texts and etymology. Consequently, the grammar-translation method worked great for me (at the very least as a stepping rock).
On the other hand, if your goal is to talk Latin or simply to much better comprehend its usages in the modern day, then you could be better matched to the analysis or active techniques (or a mix of both).
And regardless of which technique you pick, I ‘d like to talk more concerning your Latin language journey. Let me know in the comments, send me a message, or publication a cost-free assessment phone call with me today.