Justification for studying Latin is easily found on the internet. Put "why study latin" in a search engine, and you will have many articles to choose from. Since fifty percent of our English language is based on Latin, students should learn this language. Of course, the primary purpose for learning any language is to have the ability to read the literature written in the language. Eventually, I intend to make available chapter "nutshells" and keys on this page for the works listed on this page. While I teach Latin for Veritas Classical School at Macon and Warner Robins, Georgia, I am not a Latin "scholar," but I do have an avocational interest in the language.

Ideally, students should begin Latin at birth, but since we do not live in an ideal world, we must make adjustments to our reality. Nevertheless, the student should begin the study of Latin no later than the fourth grade. Five years of Latin is sufficient to allow the student to be proficient with the language. Also, consider dropping English grammar all together, since Latin teaches grammar and syntax better than most English grammar workbooks. Below is my recommendation for setting up a study program for Latin.

Fourth grade              Latin for Children (A)
Fifth grade                  Latin for Children (B)
Sixth grade                  Latin for Children (C)

Seventh Grade            Oxford Latin Course (Part II)
Eighth Grade              Oxford Latin Course (Part III)

If they wish, students in high school can continue to study Latin. I recommend Wheelock's Latin with workbook to be covered in two years. However, I strongly recommend the student to become acquainted with a modern language like French or German. While Spanish may be easier and more useful, students who go to graduate school in the humanities will often need a proficiency in French or German. Just my two-cents worth based on past experience.

This program is by far the best dictionary I have found for Latin into English and vice versa. Best of all, the program is free. Download here.