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Erin
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I've just had a discussion regards Latin with my brother, (he has just completed a liberal Arts degree and is now studying in the seminary) He recommends studying formal grammar before beginning Latin, it would make it much easier he believes. I thought I'd read somewhere that Latin is a good way to learn formal English. Now I'm confused, or perhaps there are two schools of thought?
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Erin
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Paula in MN
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I'm with you, I've always heard that learning Latin first is a big help with English.
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 Paula
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Tami
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I think you're right, Erin, there are two schools of thought. Many people will say that studying a foreign language cemented their (previous) understanding of English grammar. I know that was the case for me in high school.
Others will say Latin from the get-go. Move from English phonics to Latin, Latin centered instruction, etc, and English grammar will come naturally. Sometimes this is even a side-by-side approach.
I"m not sure I could just teach Latin and not English - my kids write ~everything~ in English, and need to learn to do that well.
But in middle and high school, I push the Latin harder, as much for the orderliness of it and the vocabulary as for the grammar.
I heard one time that the term "grammar school" came from the exclusive study of Latin grammar in the days when most children didn't study formally past 8th grade. Interesting, huh?
Looking forward to seeing this discussion develop!
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Tami
When we are crushed like grapes, we cannot think of the wine we will become. (Nouwen)
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Erin
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Ahh, so its another thing I have to make a decision on! Arghh.
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Erin
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hylabrook1
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There is a book/resource that teaches English grammar and Latin side-by-side. Basic Language Principles with Latin Background by Ruth Wilson. Not a comprehensive Latin course, but maybe a good resource for the English grammar and a lead-in to a more advanced Latin course.
Peace,
Nancy
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Carole N.
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I used that same program, Nancy, and had such wonderful results. In fact, I used it as a review last year because it really does such an excellent job of teaching grammar along with the Latin. As Nancy said, you would need another course for Latin, but it does a good job of pinning down the Latin grammar as well.
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Willa
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I don't think it hurts to approach it either way. You do have to know some grammar to learn a foreign language, especially Latin. With my younger kids I usually taught English grammar alongside the Latin. With my older kids it was helpful for them to have some grammar knowledge ahead of time -- terminology and awareness of language structure. The courses for older kids move faster and it's harder for a kid to pick up understanding about accusative and possessive case and things like that if they haven't had any analytical grammar ahead of time. Harder, maybe, but not impossible. Most Latin courses for schoolkids will have some grammar review anyway; in my experience, formal English grammar concepts don't stick well in kids' minds until they start learning another language, anyway. At least for my boys -- they don't see the point.
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4Real Forums : Across Time and Place
Topic: Formal English before Latin?
