Why Latin

Students at Weston Christian Academy are required to study Latin because in doing so, they will learn universal language skills while developing a disciplined approach to learning and reasoning within a significant historical context.  A gifted Latin educator has said, “We do not learn Latin in order to converse with or imitate Romans; we study Latin that we may better understand language and what makes it effective.”

Students will ask “Why study an old dead language?”  Latin is not dead.  It is still read by millions of people and most Latin classics are still in print.

The study of Latin calls upon students to learn to integrate creative and analytical thinking.  It requires attention to detail and a disciplined approach to the material.  As these skills are developed, the student is also better prepared and equipped to learn other languages and to understand and use the English language more effectively.

Latin is one of the most effective ways to teach grammar.  It encourages students to learn to analyze the parts of a sentence and their meanings.  Thus they can recognize, for example, the subject not only in a sentence, but in a paragraph and in a novel.  This skill not only improves their ability to comprehend what they read, but it can transform the way they write – they are learning to understand language and how it works.

Our students will be prepared for the study of classical Roman writers in the original language.  This greatly enhances and deepens their study of the history and culture and contributions of ancient Rome.  Our goal is that students will experience lasting benefits from the development of strong academic habits, integration of analytical and creative thinking, and the comprehension of grammar.