tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971193115387562045.post9084548648625971984..comments2021-09-21T05:15:27.301-07:00Comments on Antiquity Never Gets Old: Forging a Centurion, Part VMagister Christianushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09087270710114392727noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971193115387562045.post-19865866649487320012012-01-27T12:31:10.539-08:002012-01-27T12:31:10.539-08:00Fiddlemom...you are more than welcome! My wife, a...Fiddlemom...you are more than welcome! My wife, also a Latin teacher and former assistant principal and headmaster, currently homeschools our children. Feel free to email me directly at steve@romanpersonas.com anytime you have questions. Latin teachers are a friendly bunch who love to help each other!Magister Christianushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09087270710114392727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971193115387562045.post-49877261360947724352012-01-27T10:18:43.773-08:002012-01-27T10:18:43.773-08:00I posted a thank you, but it disappeared.
Thank...I posted a thank you, but it disappeared. <br /><br />Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to help a neophyte. I am having such fun learning this language, and am eagerly preparing for being able to read the ancient literature.<br /><br />My students have agreed to move back to Henle, saying that while they found Oerberg's text to be more entertaining, they felt they learned more with Henle. This could be primarily because their instructor is more comfortable with that text, but I'm okay with that.Fiddlemomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07020840460404017986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971193115387562045.post-18890577918274097942012-01-26T09:52:03.226-08:002012-01-26T09:52:03.226-08:00I have recommended Henle to homeschooling friends ...I have recommended Henle to homeschooling friends of ours. Henle's grammar book is excellent, for simply, well-organized, quick reference.<br /><br />We do speak some, but never as a graded exercise or a major part of the class. We great each other with "Salve" and "quid agis hodie?", but not much more in first year. In the upper levels I sometimes (emphasize "sometimes") speak more in Latin during warm-up activities or when discussing a text, but always with reference to a particular text. Most of the time, however, we are discussing literature in English.Magister Christianushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09087270710114392727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971193115387562045.post-62351880432910770802012-01-26T05:46:44.242-08:002012-01-26T05:46:44.242-08:00Thank you. I have learned from Henle, and have be...Thank you. I have learned from Henle, and have been teaching from it as well. One small homeschooling class was having troubles with it, so after much research I switched them to Lingua Latina by Oerberg. Then I spent the next 4 months on an extremely steep learning curve, realizing that I didn't just change texts, I changed entire philosophies. It's been a little consuming.<br /><br />The students prefer Oerberg. I prefer Henle. If we stick with Oerberg, which we might, due to their preference, I am going to attempt to teach it in more of a Henle style, with far more emphasis on the grammar.<br /><br />But, I was thinking this is because I am a beginner, and am inexperienced. I am terribly relieved to find very experienced people who prefer to be heavy on the grammar. <br /><br />Do you speak Latin much in class, or is class entirely in English?Fiddlemomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07020840460404017986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971193115387562045.post-26920935050210478952012-01-24T19:23:50.271-08:002012-01-24T19:23:50.271-08:00Nadine, thanks for dropping by. Let me begin by s...Nadine, thanks for dropping by. Let me begin by saying that both methods have their strengths and weaknesses. I favor the grammar/translation method, however, for several reasons.<br /><br />As you note, I do love the Latin language, and there are aspects of its beauty and power that can only fully be appreciated by understanding the grammar. Consider the glories of a periodic sentence as constructed by Cicero, think of the poetic depth in Vergil. One can certainly read them and gain glean meaning without fully grasping the grammatical, poetic, and rhetorical pyrotechnics, as I am sure many less-literate, original hearers did. Yet there is so much more to appreciate when one does grasp these aspects.<br /><br />In addition to the pleasure that comes from this deeper engagement with the linguistic aspects of Classical authors, there is the further benefit in increased ability to read, write, and speak elegant, powerful, and persuasive English. I have watched student writing improve in depth of content and elegance of style as it has displayed more latinate qualities clearly derived from the student's deep engagement with Latin authors.<br /><br />As for the role of translation, let me refer you to my article on the matter: http://stevenrperkins.com/Articles/Depth%20and%20Charm%20of%20Latin%20Translation.pdf.<br /><br />Finally, I have taught from the Ecce Romani series, the Cambridge series, and the Latin For Americans series. Again, they all have strengths and weaknesses. While it is far from perfect, I have taught from LFA the most, and at least among these three, prefer it. I do like Wheelock combined with a reader, such as 38 Latin Stories by Groton & May, but that is probably best for an undergraduate class or independent study.<br /><br />Hope this helps!Magister Christianushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09087270710114392727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971193115387562045.post-24695725354693236352012-01-24T16:59:15.313-08:002012-01-24T16:59:15.313-08:00I would love to hear more about why you prefer the...I would love to hear more about why you prefer the grammar/translation method over the reading method. I have been successful with emphasizing the grammar, but have begun to be swayed by the arguments of the reading method. I am very interested in hearing a strong proponent of the grammar method, especially from one who obviously loves the language as you do, and who reads it well.<br /><br />Also, If you could use whichever text you wanted to teach Latin, what would you choose?<br /><br />Thank you very much,<br />NadineFiddlemomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07020840460404017986noreply@blogger.com