Grammar requirements?

[jwoody]

I am going to begin Latin with my 11 and 12 y/o this school year. I am wondering if we should brush up on our grammar skills before starting? What are the basic grammar requirements for beginning Latin study?

[tanya]

A good Latin course will teach grammar, so there is no need to bone up on English grammar before beginning Latin. But you will need to connect the Latin grammar to English grammar as you work. Students don't automatically make the connection. I would definitely do an English grammar course while doing Latin because I have found that the two courses complement each other, but I wouldn't do a really intensive course or spend loads of time on it.

Are you doing First Form?

Tanya

[jwoody]

I am trying to decide. It is slow going b/c I do not know much about Latin, let alone what is age appropriate. TWTM recommends Latina Christiana I but FF was not available at the time. How do the two compare?

[tanya]

I don't mean to confuse you! First Form was written specifically for beginning older Latin students. It has a separate workbook with 4-5 pages of exercises to solidify the grammar the students are learning. This would be too much work for a 3rd grader, but for your children, it would be appropriate. Basically, First Form will cover in one year what Latina Christiana I and LCII cover in two years. So you would be moving faster, but I can assure you that it is not too much material and it is presented in a simple, easy to follow format. We also have dvds that have an instructor teaching the class each week, which is a great help if you are worried about teaching Latin yourself.

I would be glad to speak with you further about this if you are still confused. One option that many homeschoolers are finding doable is to do Latina Christiana I first, and then First Form the next year. FF begins at the beginning again and reinforces everything they got from LCI that first year. Maybe that would make you feel more confident about teaching Latin. And a good review as you go along is as necessary in Latin as it is in Math.

Regards,

Tanya