<p>I am going to take Latin I next school year. However, I want to kind of start a little bit ahead. Do you guys know any material that I should check out to have some ideas about Latin ?</p>
<p>I decided to take Latin. However, I still like French ( I like Latin also). What do you guys suggest me to study ? I mean it's hard to choose but which one is more useful ?</p>
<p>I took four years of Latin in high school and loved it. It's really useful for knowing new words and grammar even in English (seriously, you'll never wonder whether it's who or whom again). Once you establish the grammar, you move on to reading passages by famous Roman authors, which is really fun and makes you feel pretty dang smart.
I totally recommend Latin but there are definitely people who aren't right for the subject. Don't take Latin as a means to an end (boost SAT verbal, help learn other languages). These factors are just icing on the cake. Also, take into consideration the fact that Latin and modern spoken languages can't really be compared. The class will probably be structured differently (you need a lot of structure to learn Latin) than a French or Spanish class. You won't have oral exams or do much conversing. There is much more emphasis on translation and grammar.
All that said, I'm not sure how helpful it would be to start ahead. There is a lot of memorization early in Latin (case endings for nouns, verb endings, tenses, etc.). Still, it's not too hard to pick this all up in class. You could start memorizing some vocabulary if you know what text book your class uses.</p>
<p>If you're taking Latin, the best thing you could do to get ahead is to learn English grammar. I realize this is barely taught anymore, and that puts students at a huge disadvantage when they're trying to learn a foreign language (I walked into my first Latin class not knowing the difference between direct and indirect objects). Grammar is a lot more important in Latin, and it would help if you knew more than I did.</p>
<p>the most important advice to starting any latin class: KNOW YOUR ENGLISH! Many people struggle with grammar, and this would be the only thing i would suggest starting before Latin I. </p>
<p>If the terms "Predicate Nominative", "Passive", etc, aren't second nature to you, latin WILL be hell for you. </p>
<p>also, I'd suggest getting A Comprehensive Guide to Wheelock's Latin by Grote...it's expensive but very cheap compared to even 1 latin tutoring session ($60/hour!) and it helps no matter what latin text you use. I had a BIG problem with indirect statements-literally could not get it into my mind. I studied HOURS and HOURS and had no idea. I went to my teacher-no dice. Finally, I saw an online exercise from this book-I got it <em>like that</em>. Very easy to read, and look up. However, it's not a textbook, and DON'T read it before your class!</p>
<p>Thanks guys. </p>
<p>Will it be extremely hard for me since English is not my native language and I kind of struggle with the grammar part ?</p>
<p>Ehh. . . I didn't like Latin very much, but everyone's different. I guess I felt that way mainly because I just wasn't interested in it and so it felt virtually pointless to remember all those paradigms, declensions, conjugations, vocab, case uses, etc. , etc. , etc. </p>
<p>I got an A both years I took it (Latin 1+2 last year (fresh) and this year (soph). But it just started to build up too much and I wasn't retaining the info. </p>
<p>If you like it, you will be fine IMO.</p>
<p>I took latin in both high school and college, and knowing english grammar is definitely a big help. However if you are looking to get a head start in latin, I think the first latin book I used was Ecce Romani; Wheelock is also very popular and I have went through that whole book as well. If you search it online they have free vocabulary quizzes. Here is another website I found that has some lessons in beginners latin: [url=<a href="http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/latin/beginners/lesson01/default.htm%5DBeginners">http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/latin/beginners/lesson01/default.htm]Beginners</a>' Latin | Tutorial | Introduction to verbs<a href="I%20just%20googled" title="learn latin online">/url</a>.</p>
<p>Thank you so much.</p>
<p>Any more opinion, suggestion ?</p>
<p>I've studied latin since 6th grade and ancient greek since 9th - learn your english grammar!</p>
<p>I really wouldn't recommend undertaking it (although it's come naturally to me as I was raised speaking english/french and then learned spanish and italian quickly) if you're past freshman year - it isn't easy and is a LOT more work than you'll expect. Yet, not only have I improved my vocabulary myraids more and probably raised by my SAT scores quite significantly, but I've learned about the Classical society, read some of the most beautiful poetry in the written world and am starting to undertake one of the greater struggles - reading the Aeneid in its native language.</p>
<p>Plus, I can use cool words like the passive periphrastic and can wrap a toga. I plan to at least minor in Classics in college.</p>
<p>I know. I will take it in Junior year. I will try my best.</p>
<p>You guys say I should study English grammar. Can you guys explain more how and what part I should focus on ?</p>
<p>Learn the endings of verbs and nouns and how they're used/translated in context. Latin is very straightforward and mathematical once you understand it.</p>
<p>If you like the Dummies series, try Latin For Dummies.</p>
<p>I have never used the Dummies series. However, I think it might be helpful.</p>
<p>I have been trying to study the ending of verbs and nouns. I kind of get the verb ones but the noun ones are confusing.</p>
<p>Can anyone suggest me some efficient way to study ?</p>
<p>I mean I have been trying but the ending of nouns are huge. It depends on masculine or feminine or neutral and stuffs like that.</p>
<p>latin def. i have taken it all throughout high school and it helps with english. i would reccommed going to Borders and checking out they're latin books they some great ones.</p>
<p>Nonsense, you don't need to know that much grammer. I got a 51 in writing on the PSAT, and I have an +A in Latin. It is a learning expirience, so you don't need to know what the passive voice is to do well. But it is a great language; I almost wish it was still spoken today...key word is almost.</p>
<p>i think french and latin are both useful. both help you understand english, as there are many french words in the english language and latin well, a lot of words have latin roots. do you think you could take both? that's what i did.</p>
<p>I want to take both. Unfortunately, since I will be in level I of both classes I cannot take both of them this year. I will take Latin this year and Latin II and French I in Senior year.</p>
<p>Is it a good plan or not ?</p>
<p>The best textbook for Latin, hands down, is Wheelock's Latin.
Clear, straightforward explanations about all grammatical topics. Thorough vocabulary listings, humor, reasonably challenging exercises.</p>
<p>Latin is ALL grammar, your ability to make sense of what you are given, and put it all together. Take this from someone who got a 78 on MC in Writing, Latin really helps enhance your understanding of the grammar of ALL languages :)</p>
<p>Wasting a precious senior year slot on French I may not be a good idea.
You can learn all of Latin in two years, as I have, but French is far more difficult to learn, because it is a spoken language. You need at three years of French to have mastered all of its grammar and the language itself, but two years is all you need to have a powerful command over Latin.</p>
<p>Thanks for that advice. I might stick Latin for all 2 years though.</p>
<p>I want to ask a dumb question. What is MC ? Multiple choice ?</p>