Why Latin?
Considering that for centuries the teaching of Latin was an integral part of any good academic training, instruction in Latin at Mars Hill Academy should need no explanation or defense. Latin was regularly taught even in American high schools as late as the 1940s. It was considered necessary to a fundamental understanding of English, other Latin-based languages, and the history and writings of Western Civilization.
However, like many traditional elements of good education lost in the name of “modern” or “progressive” education, the advantages of Latin have been neglected and then forgotten over the past few generations. Mrs. Dorothy Sayers (1893-1967), author and scholar, addresses the topic in her essay “The Lost Tools of Learning,” which has inspired the movement to revive the teaching of Latin in our schools.
Mars Hill Academy teaches Latin for three reasons:
- Latin is historical. Latin is not a “dead language,” but rather a language that lives on in almost all major western languages, including English. Training in Latin not only gives the student a better understanding of the roots of English vocabulary; it also lays the foundation for learning the Romance languages (such as Spanish, French, and Italian).
- Latin is helpful. Learning the grammar of Latin reinforces student understanding of the reasons for, and the use of, the parts of speech being taught in our traditional English coursework (nouns, verbs, prepositions, direct objects, tenses, etc.)
- Latin is rigorous. The study of Latin grammar trains young minds to think logically like no other subject. The discipline and precision required or a successful study of Latin is high, but the rewards are high as well. The student will see the benefits of their Latin study in every other area of the curriculum.
The Mars Hill Academy Latin Program begins in the fourth grade and consists of the following basic objectives:
Fourth Grade: Vocabulary acquisition, declensions, conjugations, chants of endings. Elementary translation of words, phrases, and simple sentences. Ecce Romani chapters 1-18
Fifth Grade: More vocabulary, additional declensions and conjugations, and moderately difficult sentences. Ecce Romani chapters 18-30
Sixth Grade: More sentences, vocabulary, basic translation work from secular and sacred sources, and elementary syntactical concepts. Ecce Romani chapters 30-42
Seventh Grade: More emphasis on translation, grammar review, writing of sentences, and stories. Ecce Romani chapters 42-54
Eighth Grade: In Latin Translation, the students continue to study more complex grammatical constructions with the focus on exercising the skills of Latin translation and reading.
Click here to learn more about Latin tutorials offered to students entering Mars Hill after fourth grade.
