Please note: this article is part of a series on the best Latin homeschool curriculums for students of different ages. This article discusses the best homeschool Latin curriculums for high school. You may also want to check out our articles on the best homeschool Latin curriculums for middle school and elementary students.
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Our picks for the best latin curriculum for homeschoolers-high school:
- Best All-Around Program: Cambridge Latin Course
- Best Video-Based Program: Visual Latin
- Best Classical Christian Program: Latin in the Christian Trivium
If you follow a classical homeschool approach, you are likely already familiar with the importance of including Latin in your child’s education. Yet it is not just classical homeschoolers who are interested in teaching their children this ancient language. Many homeschoolers who teach from varying philosophies also want to include Latin study in their children’s education because of the immense value it offers. Although it is an ancient language, Latin is extremely relevant to modern English and will give students a distinct advantage when it comes to mastering English vocabulary and grammar.
Latin instruction also provides excellent preparation for the study of Romance languages such as Spanish, French, and Italian. A student who has studied Latin before learning Spanish or French, for example, will likely excel at that language more quickly than a student who has no background in Latin.
Many parents are understandably intimidated by the idea of teaching Latin to their children. Fortunately, however, there are many excellent curriculum options that do not require any prior knowledge of the language on the part of either the student or the parent. Three of our favorite options are listed at the top of this article. To learn more about each one, read on.
Best All-Around Program
If you are looking for a solid, challenging high school Latin program that will immerse your student in this important classical language from the very beginning, we highly recommend the Cambridge Latin Course. This course is rigorous and fascinating, incorporating grammar, literature, culture, and history into the study of the Latin language.
Each chapter begins with an illustrated caption or sentence, which the student then works to translate. This is followed by a vocabulary list, a Latin reading passage, and second vocabulary list. The history and culture of ancient Rome – from life in Pompeii to gladiators and the amphitheater – are highlighted throughout the text. This program is an especially good choice for confident and intellectually curious independent learners.
The Cambridge Latin Course consists of four levels, or units, all of which can be taken during the high school years. Unless your student already has a solid grounding in Latin, you’ll want to begin with Unit 1. Required components include the Cambridge Latin Course Unit 1 text, the Teacher’s Guide, and the Omnibus Workbook. Several excellent supplementary materials are also available. These include an audio cd, the Activity Masters worksheet set for lots of extra practice, the Stage Tests book (which includes unit tests), and the supplemental readers Vesuvius and Other Plays and Short Latin Stories.
Best Video-Based Program
If the idea of teaching Latin to your homeschooled child intimidates you, put your mind at ease with the Visual Latin program. This video-based program makes Latin easy and fun for kids and requires minimal parental assistance. It aims to give students a strong grounding in English grammar and vocabulary alongside Latin reading and translation. Unlike many other Latin programs, the emphasis here is less on memorizing Latin and more on understanding and using the language. No previous experience on the part of students or their parents is required.
Each volume in the two-volume series covers a full school year, with a video lesson once a week and printable PDF worksheets that can be completed by students independently. The program is recommended for kids as young as nine, so this is also a fantastic option if you have multiple children nine and above who will be learning Latin at the same time. All in all, this is an exceptionally user-friendly and approachable program that will make learning fun for your child and teaching easy for you. We especially recommend this curriculum if your child is a visual learner or struggles with traditional textbook curriculums.
Volume 1 and Volume 2 are both available independently, or they can be purchased together as a set.
Best Classical Christian Program
Latin in the Christian Trivium
If you are looking for a homeschool Latin program that is firmly grounded in a Christian worldview and follows a classical education model, we highly recommend the Latin in the Christian Trivium series. The series provides a solid Latin curriculum that combines study of the language itself with Roman history. Additionally, the main source for the translation exercises is the Bible, making this program an excellent option if your homeschool is Christian-centered.
Whereas the units in the Cambridge Latin Course are themed around historical Roman topics, those in this series are based more on grammatical principles. Students begin with the Roman alphabet and progress to cover conjugation verbs, declension nouns, conjunctions, prepositions, adjectives, numerals, imperfect and future tenses, and adverbs. Historical context is woven in alongside Biblical reading.
This curriculum consists of four volumes, each of which corresponds with one school year. Volume 1 has been accredited by the University of California to meet one year of high school Latin transcript credit. The complete components of Volume 1 are listed below.
- Latin in the Christian Trivium, Vol. 1 Textbook
- Latin in the Christian Trivium, Vol. 1 Teacher’s Guide
- Latin in the Christian Trivium, Vol. 1 Activity Book
- Latin in the Christian Trivium, Vol. 1 Pronunciation CD
- Latin in the Christian Trivium, Vol. 1 Study Sheets and Drill Sheets
If your student already has a background in Latin, you may want to start with a later volume in the series (see Christian Book for all the volumes).
Conclusion
Including Latin in your child’s homeschool education does not have to be as intimidating as it might at first seem. Latin is an extremely valuable language to learn, and there are many different ways to approach it. Consider your student’s learning style and your own homeschool philosophy as you choose which curriculum is right for your family. If you have questions or would like more information on this topic, please email us!