Latin was the language of the Roman Empire. All of the Romance languages, such as French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian, are directly descended from this native tongue. Our own English language is heavily influenced by roots from the Latin Language (as many as 80 percent of our language can be traced to Latin). Right now, Ecclesiastical Latin is the official language of the Roman Catholic Church and the Vatican. With so considerably influence on our own language coming from Latin, it is surprising that students are not encouraged to study it in high school and college. Though deemed a “dead language”, Latin education can really help students improve English grammar, as properly as provide a historical foundation for their educations.

Nowadays, Latin is taught mainly for the purpose of translating ancient literature. It is not truly taught conversationally. Proficiency in Latin is achieved in reading and translating. Typically, students that study Latin in college are majors in Classical Studies, wherein they study all aspects of Ancient Greek and Roman history and Culture, or they are pre-Law or pre-Medicine students. Getting a understanding of the Latin language has apparent rewards for Law and Medical students in that they will be far better in a position to discover technical terminology, most of which is comprised of Latin words and phrases. Classical studies majors often go on to earn Master’s degrees and Doctoral degrees either in Art History or Archaeology, where information of the Latin language assists them in their study, or they frequently devote their graduate studies to the language itself, exactly where they can go on to teach Latin in high schools or earn a place as a professor of Classics at a college or University.

Teaching the Latin language in high school can be challenging. Most students take foreign languages to satisfy requirements for graduation, not for the enjoyment of studying a new language. And they often take “less difficult” language such as Spanish or French. And because Latin is not taught conversationally, understanding it can be deemed a boring series of memorization or vocabulary words and noun and verb endings. It is crucial for the Latin teacher to make understanding the language for those students that do choose to tackle it fascinating and not just a matter of memorizing verb conjugations and noun declension charts. There are many approaches in which achievement in teaching Latin in high school can be achieved.

Using modern technologies to teach an ancient language may appear unlikely. But, there are many resources obtainable online to help the Latin teacher in his or her pursuits. A lot of web sites offer charts, tutorials, and games to not only aid the teacher, but to aid engage the students. Studying Latin can be created less complicated using technology, whilst permitting the students to use the Net as a signifies of education. Students nowadays are all but necessary to use the Net academically, and eventually professionally. Combining understanding Latin with studying Web abilities is a best way to bridge the gap in between ancient and modern day.

Yet another way to make learning the Latin language intriguing is by incorporating Roman history and Mythology into the topic. By bringing history and myth into the study of the Latin language, students will comprehend the origins of the language, as nicely as comprehend the impact the language and the history of Rome has had on our modern world. Games can be played and plays can be put on, utilizing Roman mythological stories and literature, and students can find out every little thing from Roman military technique to Roman engineering to Roman cooking to how Roman people dressed.

As a high school Latin teacher, it can be frustrating that the language is misunderstood and under-appreciated. But, by employing contemporary technology and inventive teaching strategies, The “dead” Latin language can be brought to life, and students will discover not only the language, but have a clearer understanding of English grammar, as properly as a foundation that will open up their possibilities as they enter college.