Getting Started with Latin: Beginning Latin for Homeschoolers and Self-Taught Students of Any Age

I'd like to add my praise to that of the other reviewers of this marvelous text. I recently retired and decided to set up a home-study course for several subjects I hadn't had time for when I was an undergrad. Latin was one of them. I finished this book with the help on the on-line readings by the author in about ten days and have ordered his recommended next text to continue my studies. This text was by far the best introduction of the four subjects I chose. It introduced the subject in small bites and then continued to reinforce already-covered material at each step. The book was too short. I could have gone on with it forever. I wish there was a "Getting Started with Latin II, III, IV" etc. This was one of the best texts I've ever used in an academic life that included two Master's degrees. Thank you William Linney. There could not be a better text (with superb Internet support) on this subject. Let's deluge Mr. Liney with requests for other subjects that he might be familiar with. He must know more than Latin.

To prepare for this review, I decided to put this book to practical use. Nightly, as our family sits down to family prayers, husband begins by doing a lesson orally with the kids. It's been a hit, a very nice family activity indeed. We all participate, from first to tenth grader, mom included. For some of us it's mostly review, for some it is all new, but we all look forward to it. Getting Started with Latin is an introductory adventure into Latin. The path is easy with short lessons: only one new word or concept is introduced per lesson. Some lessons introduce a peculiarity of Latin or a grammar point. Sprinkled amidst the lessons there are interesting explanations of Latin expressions that we commonly encounter in English. For instance, between lessons 83 and 84 there is page entitled "Have you ever wondered what per capita means?" The format is also suitable for being read aloud with a group of students or your whole family. We have enjoyed it as a family very much! And no, you do not need previous knowledge of Latin. "A good general introduction!", says my husband. For the Catholic homeschooler this volume can serve well as a next level Latin for beginning students or for the next level for students who have done Our Roman Roots, albeit these will be able to go quite quickly through the first twenty lessons or so. The book has a companion website with resources and downloadable pronunciation both on Classical and Ecclesiastical styles. Also, you can preview many sample pages.

I have been trying to teach my kids Latin with no Latin background myself. There are some wonderful programs out there, but I still struggled to "get it". We have tried several programs with our oldest. She has done great, but I have struggled. The downfall is always me. I don't have the option of a Latin tutor, so I struggle on for the sake of my kids. This is the first to make the light go on for me therefore for them. After listening to Bill Linney speak and trying this book myself, I started to understand somethings that I struggled with. Suddlenly, it seemed so easy. I tried this at home with my children - they love it! They are begging to do Latin with this book. My two year old says with ease the Latin words. (I am not sure why it just happened. He's been hearing Latin since he was born. I think he saw that his siblings were having fun, and he wanted to join in.) Imagine, my shock when after 3 days of this book when my 4 year old who can't read is translating oral Latin sentences. I read "Sum et nauta et agricola." And she said "I am both a salior and a farmer." I about fell out of my chair. I recommend this to any homeschool mom or student who needs some help. Any student who can read can do this on their own. The way this is written anyone can do it. We have moved pretty quickly through the first 15 lessons, but you can take your time. We are slowing down now, but it's still coming together with ease for us.