Online Latin

[mjbucks1]

I have been researching and struggling over this decision for a week now and I need some advice :confused: Ds completed the middle school Latin course through Memoria Press this past year. They only covered Units I and II of Henle (it did move VERY slow and I do think ds could move quicker). Ds swims competitively and we have switched swim teams. The schedule for the Memoria Press classes (for now and in the future) conflict with practice times. The only other online class that I could find that uses Henle is RCA. The classes go through Latin III but still only cover Henle First Year and Latin readings. Is this enough before moving to AP Latin? I want to try to pick a program and stick with it. I do not feel I have the time to devote to Latin to try to teach it myself. So I think we are going to have to switch to Wheelock's Latin in order for him to take it online.

So I have narrowed it down to Veritas Press Scholars Online or Lukeion. I have read some information on these boards with regards to Lukeion, but I wonder if anyone could assist me in this decision. I like that VP also uses Cambride Latin with Wheelock, but Mrs. Barr at Lukeion has her masters in Latin. Any input would be greatly appreciated :)

[at the beach]

I have been researching and struggling over this decision for a week now and I need some advice :confused: Ds completed the middle school Latin course through Memoria Press this past year. They only covered Units I and II of Henle (it did move VERY slow and I do think ds could move quicker). Ds swims competitively and we have switched swim teams. The schedule for the Memoria Press classes (for now and in the future) conflict with practice times. The only other online class that I could find that uses Henle is RCA. The classes go through Latin III but still only cover Henle First Year and Latin readings. Is this enough before moving to AP Latin? I want to try to pick a program and stick with it. I do not feel I have the time to devote to Latin to try to teach it myself. So I think we are going to have to switch to Wheelock's Latin in order for him to take it online.

So I have narrowed it down to Veritas Press Scholars Online or Lukeion. I have read some information on these boards with regards to Lukeion, but I wonder if anyone could assist me in this decision. I like that VP also uses Cambride Latin with Wheelock, but Mrs. Barr at Lukeion has her masters in Latin. Any input would be greatly appreciated :)

 

 

:bigear:

 

My daughter takes Latin online with RCA. She's doing the Henle sequence and is going into the second year. They did move slowly but I think the teacher believes this is important in the first year. I know that Latin Literature (Latin 3 at RCA) combines students from the Henle and Wheelock track. I believe that completing Latin 3 prepares them for the AP Latin course, but I'm not a hundred percent sure on that, so I'd love to hear what others think. I think if you email them, someone could help give you the info you are looking for. My daughter loves RCA Latin. The work load is reasonable, and it is a highly interactive class.

 

When we checked out Lukeion for Latin/Greek, the site talks about the time commitment required for studying languages with them. I recall something about if you are heavy into extra-curricular activities, it might not be the class for you. My daughter took Classical Mythology with Lukeion as well as a workshop and she did really enjoy those. The Mythology was quite a bit of work but she got a lot out of it.

[Alphabetika]

My dd took two years of Latin with Mrs. Barr at Lukeion and LOVED it. She learned TONS and did very well. She did spend a lot of time at it - 8-10 hours a week was average, but it was so worth it. She has an excellent foundation in Latin. She has chosen not to go on to Latin 3 this year, but perhaps next year, and she is studying Latin independently. Both of my dd's have also taken numerous workshops with Lukeion and they love both Mr. and Mrs. Barr. My middle dd plans to take Greek with Lukeion when she's ready in a few years.

 

Feel free to ask me any questions you have about Lukeion. I am an unabashed fan. :)

[mjbucks1]

I also remember seeing a point about the work load and extra curriculars on the Lukeion site. Since ds is a swimmer, he will be spending 8-12 hours/week at practice. I also know there were a couple of not so wonderful posts on this board about the instructor for Lukeion, so I would love to hear what others have to say. I will e-mail RCA and see what they say about their course sequence and AP Latin. Does anyone have experience with VP online Latin?

[Rebecca VA]

We're a Lukeion family! My rising eighth grader, who spends 12 hours a week at ballet and has several other extracurricular activities, was able to handle Mrs. Barr's Latin I last year without any trouble. She'll be going into Latin II next month.

 

I highly recommend buying the Cumulative Chapter Vocabulary Lists book that the Wheelock's publisher has put out. I quizzed my daughter on her vocabulary almost daily last year, and I'll do the same this coming year.

 

About the not-so-wonderful posts: Mrs. Barr takes a no-nonsense approach with regard to student work. She expects students to study diligently and turn in their work on time. However, I have never found her unreasonable, and she has a great sense of humor. She is an excellent instructor who explains material thoroughly and communicates well with students.

Edited July 28, 2010 by Rebecca VA

[Brigid in NC]

Two years of Lukeion here, in 9th and 10th. Rigorous, good classes. I liked the fact that Lukeion used Wheelocks. Amy Barr is very good. Her syllabus/assignments are very straightforward. No grace on missed assignments, so you just need to be aware of her rules.

[mjbucks1]

Rebecca and Brigid, thank you both for your posts :) Mrs. Barr actually sounds a lot like my son's swim instructor. Being a first born, ds is very much a rule follower and is very diligent in his work. I don't think that will be a problem. I do have one question about Lukeion and Wheelocks...are there additonal readings the students do in the program? Or is it all grammar the first two years? Again, is there anyone who has had experience with VP :) Thank you all so far for your insights. I just might go crazy otherwise :D

[Brigid in NC]

I do have one question about Lukeion and Wheelocks...are there additonal readings the students do in the program? Or is it all grammar the first two years?

 

If I remember correctly it is just the Wheelock's text -- over two years w/Latin 1 and 2.

[dirty ethel rackham]

Another plug for Regina Coeli Online Academy. Mrs. Robinson is an excellent teacher. My boys look forward to class and have learned a ton. My 14yos is taking Henle II this year. Mrs. Robinson has assured me that he will be ready for Latin III (lit) and AP Latin.

[Teachin'Mine]

Seton teaches Latin using Henle and according to this link, it's available online.

 

http://cathyduffyreviews.com/foreign-language/latin-seton.htm

[Alphabetika]

If I remember correctly it is just the Wheelock's text -- over two years w/Latin 1 and 2.

 

Yes, Mrs. Barr covers the whole Wheelock's test over the first two years of Latin. The only time dd went outside the text was when she took an optional "Latin Stories" workshop to help prepare her for Latin 2, using the "38 Latin Stories" book. Again, this was optional. Other than that, she only used the text, not even the Wheelock's workbook that went along with it. Just the sentences and paragraphs from the text. Sometimes they'd do in-class translation, too.

 

And, yes, Mrs. Barr is very no-nonsense, but we see this as a good thing. She treats students as mature, burgeoning adults who need to take responsiblity for their studies. This is one of my dd's favorite things about her. Still, she is VERY approachable and happy to answer questions, even if they're not about Latin. She and I had quite a long correspondence last year about our gardens, for instance. Also, she answered questions for me about Greek mythology before dd was even in her class. She and Mr. Barr are very passionate about what they do and they inspire that passion in others!

Edited July 29, 2010 by Alphabetika

[Brigid in NC]

One more thing about Lukeion -- the Barrs encourage their Latin students to take the National Latin Exams. Their students score very, very well. A testament to the instruction.

[mjbucks1]

Thank you all for your replies. Now I think I just need to pick a program and not look back :)

[12Stars]

Hello

I was interested in this as well for my daughter. Can you provide a link for

Lukeion?

[Brigid in NC]

Hello

I was interested in this as well for my daughter. Can you provide a link for

Lukeion?

 

Here you go: Lukeion

[Autodidact]

My mother is allowing me to answer this post under her user name.

 

I did Henle Latin for two years then was in limbo for another year and then switched to scholars online where I did Latin IV. Before SO (scholars online) my Latin grammar was adequate, my vocabulary memorization almost nonexistent, and I did not have a true appreciation for Latin and for Roman authors. Dr. Bruce McMenomy changed that. My vocab skills and grammar increased exponentially and Dr. McM's infectious admiration for Latin rubbed off on not just me but everyone in the class. Due to Dr. McM's teaching I scored a 780 on the SAT II Latin subject test, a 5 on the AP test, and won a Latin scholarship for college. I am now an honors sophomore classics major at UNC Chapel Hill and am taking upper level Latin classes. Based on my experience I highly recommend Dr. McM and SO. He expects his students to do their work and the work he assigns is very reasonable. He is very nice and his humor is hilarious - especially his puns. I also looked over my sister's Latin III textbook and it along with Dr. McM's teaching is a great introduction to Roman authors and history. **

 

Regardless of whoever you choose, Wheelocks Latin is the best textbook. It introduces the student to Latin written by actual Romans as soon as possible whereas Henle is written with English idioms and not Latin ones in mind although the Henle Latin grammar book is great for reference. To prepare your student for the AP test you really want to make sure he is reading the excerpts from Vergil's Aeneid that college board lists and that he learns how to scan Latin poetry (which is really fun). I am really glad your son is taking Latin and even if he doesn't want to be a Latin major or hard core classicist there is nothing like Latin (or Greek) in organizing one's way of thinking and in giving one an appreciation for the past. * * *

[mjbucks1]

Autodidact...thank you so much for your post (and your mother for allowing you to post this). I really think we will switch to Wheelock's. My only reservation with SO is the time of Latin III (which is in the evening). Ds swims competitively, and this interferes with his practice schedule (He could miss one evening, but missing two practices every week is a lot). Do you know if the class schedule has stayed consistent with regards to the time? I really want to try to start with a program and stick with it if possible. Also, is there an audio component to the class? (Somewhere I read that there wasn't, but I may be misinformed). Also, is the reading introduced early on, and is it from outside sources (other then the text), or is all you need in the text for the first couple of years? Sorry for all of the questions :D. My ds REALLY loves latin and he is always connecting English words to their Latin root :). I keep telling him he might want to major in Latin, so we will see. I am so glad to hear of your success. Thank you again for your post!!!!

[Autodidact]

In regards to class times, I would suggest you contact Dr. Bruce McMenomy directly. And it is true there is no audio component but I think that is part of Scholars Online's strength. Because the chats are text based, the student is forced to word his thoughts clearly and succinctly. As Sir Francis Bacon said "reading makes a full man; conference a ready man; and writing an exact man". Secondly, the chat is self-documenting so if you are out of town and can't make a class or if you want to revisit what was said, the entire chat log is just a click away (which is really handy when studying for exams). Thirdly, Latin is a dead language so audio is not crucial though it is fun to converse in such a beautiful language. Finally, in comparing my college classes which are lecture based to SO I have noticed that a text based chat allows the teacher and other students to closely examine every article and phrasing of the translation; thus, the student gains a greater understanding of the Latin. Scholars Online uses the Wheelocks textbook and workbook for years one and two. To my knowledge these are the only textbooks you need for those years though the vocabulary cards are, I think, worth purchasing also. For Latin III they use the textbook Aeneas to Augustus. In that book you read excerpts from a wide range of classical Latin authors such as Cicero, Caesar, Sallust et al. As I mentioned earlier in Latin IV, you translate excerpts (i.e. the really fun and memorable bits) from Vergil's Aeneid. I suggest visiting Scholars Online Latin overview section at http://www.scholarsonline.org/Info/latin.php. I am glad your son is so interested in Latin and I firmly believe a classics major is a great foundation and allows one to pursue many avenues such as medical school, law school, or just a great liberal arts education.

[mjbucks1]

Autodidact...thank you for your reply. I am so appreciative of others knowledge as I know nothing about Latin. I will e-mail SO today. For others who are reading this thread, I have e-mailed RCA and received a wonderful response. Wend Pierce told me that traditionally Memoria Press students do not do so well when transferring (she mentioned they test weekly, but so does Memoria Press so I don't know exactly what the difference would be). She said they would give him a test to see if he was ready for Henle II. She also said she would be watching for his registration to make sure he placed properly :). But Autodidact's post has really convinced me to use Wheelock's Latin (and reading the information at Lukeion.org). So now I just need to decide which class...SO, RCA, or Lukeion. There are people who are happy at each, so I will e-mail SO today and see if they can answer some questions. I think now it will come down to what schedule will be the best fit for our family :). Thank you all for your posts, and I will let you know what I decide!!

[at the beach]

Autodidact...thank you for your reply. I am so appreciative of others knowledge as I know nothing about Latin. I will e-mail SO today. For others who are reading this thread, I have e-mailed RCA and received a wonderful response. Wend Pierce told me that traditionally Memoria Press students do not do so well when transferring (she mentioned they test weekly, but so does Memoria Press so I don't know exactly what the difference would be). She said they would give him a test to see if he was ready for Henle II. She also said she would be watching for his registration to make sure he placed properly :). But Autodidact's post has really convinced me to use Wheelock's Latin (and reading the information at Lukeion.org). So now I just need to decide which class...SO, RCA, or Lukeion. There are people who are happy at each, so I will e-mail SO today and see if they can answer some questions. I think now it will come down to what schedule will be the best fit for our family :). Thank you all for your posts, and I will let you know what I decide!!

 

Not to confuse you, but if you do a search in regard to Henle versus Wheelock's, I do recall some threads that went into quite a lot of detail on the benefits of each that you might want to review. RCA does have a Wheelock class, too.

[Gwen in VA]

Henle --

 

My dd has done Henle I and Henle II (the classes, not the books) through RCA. We wanted to find an online provider that would help her finish out her grammar without switching to Wheelock's. We found Latin and Classics (latinandclassics.com)

 

We swtiched from RCA for a variety of reasons, but the final straw was finding out that even though ds had finished Latin III through RCA he was not prepared for the Latin SAT2. While RCA is very thorough, even by the end of Latin 3, the Henle track does not equip a student for the SAT2. (I have asked Mrs. Robinson about this.)

[at the beach]

Henle --

 

My dd has done Henle I and Henle II (the classes, not the books) through RCA. We wanted to find an online provider that would help her finish out her grammar without switching to Wheelock's. We found Latin and Classics (latinandclassics.com)

 

We swtiched from RCA for a variety of reasons, but the final straw was finding out that even though ds had finished Latin III through RCA he was not prepared for the Latin SAT2. While RCA is very thorough, even by the end of Latin 3, the Henle track does not equip a student for the SAT2. (I have asked Mrs. Robinson about this.)

 

Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Gwen. :001_smile: I did notice that for Latin 3 my daughter will be transitioned into a class that combines Wheelock & Henle students. I wonder how that will go. I am hoping that Latin 3 will prepare her for the following year's AP Latin course they offer. I guess I never thought about the SAT2. Do you know how much additional Latin beyond RCA's Latin 3 he would have needed? I am aware that RCA does go slower than what I've seen others covering. For my daughter, she had plenty to do with the class she had. I don't think I'd have wanted her moving faster. But she took Latin 1 as a 7th grader, so I am sure that makes a difference.