When should I start Henle II

[Maria]

When I was a freshman in high school, I completed Latina Christiana I and II, doing one lesson per day (thus finishing the books in two months). I basically did no Latin in my sophomore and junior years. Then in my senior year I started Henle's First Year Latin. Working about 12 hours a week, I finished the book 6 months later.

I did all this study of Latin completely on my own and enjoyed it very much. I intended to continue studying Latin but never got around to it. Now, almost a year since I finished First Year Latin, I want to start up again, but I've forgotten a lot of what I learned. And so I'm starting all over again with First Year Latin. However, I'd really like to get into Second Year Latin as soon as possible, but without detriment to my ultimate success in learning Latin.

Henle says that Second Year Latin can be started after the first seven units of First Year Latin are finished. And so, since I am a strong student in learning Latin, I thought I might start Second Year Latin after I finish reviewing/re-learning the first seven units of First Year Latin. But before I do that, I'd like some input on the disadvantages of this method. I'd particularly like some advice from Cheryl Lowe and/or other teachers at Highlands Latin School.

Thank you so much.

[Maria]

Anyone?


Gratefully,
Maria

[martin]

Maria,

Sorry for taking so long to get back with you: I've just got back into town from the Virginia home school conference.

I would not advise attempting Henle II without at least reviewing the first seven units of Henle. In fact, I would suggest finishing the first Henle book and then moving on to Henle II. It sounds like you're in a hurry to get to the second book, but I think the long term value of covering the material in the Henle I book is very high.

The first half of the Henle II text is a review of the last seven chapters of the first book, but it doesn't cover everything. Having worked through that program myself and taught from it, I really see the value of actually completing Henle I. If you do this, you can then go to the second book and work every other problem in the first half (which you need to do because it does add some additional vocabulary that you will need in the second half of Henle II) and then go on to complete the book.

If there is some reason for the hurry, what you are proposing is doable; but if there is no important reason to get to the second book (other than enthusiasm), I do think the above is the best plan.

Thanks.

Martin Cothran

[Maria]

Mr. Cothran,

Thank you so much for your input!

As you advised, I'll review all of Henle I before going on to Henle II. I know that in the future I'll be happy I did.

Gratefully,
Maria

[Cindy in Indy]

My 9th grade son will complete Henle I units 1-5 this year. (We used the Memoria Press guides). We need to step up the pace next year in order to finish Henle I in 10th grade. I had wondered if we should begin Henle II after completing Henle I/unit 7, but I see Mr. Cothran's recommends going to the end of Henle I, for a deeper grasp of the grammar. Is this the best plan for our situation? Would it be more rewarding to read Caesar (Henle II) and learn the grammar along with that?

Cindy

[jeremiah213]

I don't think going to Henle II would be rewarding at all. I think it would be terribly frustrating. In the Henle program, the first book is strictly for learning the grammar, and then you really step up the translation starting in Henle II. I would reccomend finishing the grammar first...then translation is a joy instead of an "i've never seen this before" every third word headache. :)

[Cindy in Indy]

Thank you!
Cindy