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 middle school students. You may also want to check out our articles on the best homeschool Latin curriculums for elementary and high school students.
This post contains affiliate links and we may earn a commission when you click on the links at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Our top picks for the best latin curriculum for middle school homeschool:
- Best All-Around Program: Latin Alive! Classical Academic Press
- Best Classical Style: First Form Latin, Memoria Press
- Best Video-Based: Visual Latin, Compass Classroom
Whereas most middle schoolers who attend traditional schools never have the opportunity to learn Latin, the homeschool environment provides students the freedom and ability to study this classical language. Though ancient, Latin is still extremely relevant, as many of the world’s languages derive from it. Students who learn Latin will better understand English grammar and vocabulary. They will also be better prepared to learn other foreign languages, especially Romance languages such as Spanish, French, and Italian. Thus teaching your student Latin in middle school can be an excellent way to prepare them to study other foreign languages in high school.
You may feel intimidated by the idea of teaching your child Latin, but fear not! There are many excellent homeschool Latin programs that require no previous knowledge of the subject on the part of students or their parents. Our three favorite homeschool Latin curriculums for middle school students are listed at the beginning of this article. To learn more about each one, keep reading.
Best All-Around Program
Latin Alive! Classical Academic Press
We chose the Latin Alive! program as our favorite all-around homeschool Latin curriculum for middle school students for several reasons. First, it is designed for students in the middle school and early high school years that have no previous knowledge of the language. Second, it uses a structured, incremental approach to teach students the basics of Latin step-by-step in a way that is manageable rather than overwhelming. And third, the program strikes an excellent balance between written work and video-based instruction.
The program is cleanly structured into 36 chapters, each of which can be completed in about a week. DVD lessons are included for each chapter, helping students learn accurate pronunciation. If your homeschool middle schooler is new to Latin, start with the Latin Alive! year one set, which includes the student book, the teacher’s edition, and the DVD set (consisting of seven DVDs and one CD).
This program is a rigorous and thorough Latin course. When taken in its entirety, Latin Alive! encompasses three to four years of comprehensive Latin study. Students who begin the program in middle school can finish it in high school and be adequately prepared for the National Latin Exam or AP Exam in Latin.
Best Classical Style
First Form Latin, Memoria Press
Memoria Press is a leading publisher of homeschool curriculum embodying a Classical Christian approach, and its Latin series is especially excellent. If your middle schooler is beginning Latin for the first time, you’ll want to use the First Form Latin program, which is a methodical, mastery-based curriculum developed for students in grades 5+.
Embodying a classical approach to instruction and mastery, the program emphasizes correct grammar and usage. Concepts are taught in a structured, incremental way, and plenty of workbook exercises are provided to ensure the student’s understanding is solid at each stage of the program. A pronunciation CD is also used throughout the program.
The required materials for First Form Latin include the student text, a teacher’s manual, a workbook, a teacher key, a tests and quizzes book, and the pronunciation CD. For the most convenience, purchase all the materials together as a complete set.
Best Video-Based
Visual Latin, Compass Classroom
If your middle schooler is a visual learner, or if the idea of beginning Latin feels overwhelming to you, consider the excellent and approachable Visual Latin program.
This is a video-based program that students can complete at their own pace with minimal parental assistance. It is user-friendly and enjoyable for most kids.
One of the reasons we love Visual Latin is that it helps students build a strong foundation in English grammar and vocabulary alongside Latin reading and translation. This program does not emphasize memorization as much as comprehension. 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 and can also be used in high school, so this is also a fantastic option if you have kids of multiple ages who want to learn Latin together.
All in all, this is a simple approachable program that will make learning fun for your student 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.
Conclusion
Whereas most middle school students who attend traditional schools never have the opportunity to learn Latin, those who are homeschooled may choose to take this ancient – yet still very relevant language – and benefit from it immensely. If you have questions or want more information on teaching Latin in your homeschool, please email us!