Hapersmion asks, “Any plans to teach Latin, since you’re going the classical route? Greek? Hebrew? Ancient Etruscan, perhaps?”
I’ve looked for Teaching Ancient Etruscan for Idiots book, but haven’t had any luck with that one. I suppose I’ll have to call that a lost cause.
As for Greek and Latin, well, those would normally be a part of classical education, but we’ve decided not to pursue them as our language(s) at this point. I understand the arguments in favor of Latin, especially, but because it’s an area where neither of us have any interest or passion, I just can’t motivate myself to WANT to include Latin. Captain Science wants to do eastern languages, so we’re starting Japanese in the spring. I think a modern language of that caliber is going to benefit him more in the long run than Latin.
We are, however, doing a vocabulary program called Vocabulary from Classical Roots, which (obviously) introduces Latin and Greek roots to words. If learning classical languages is supposedly to help build a better base of understanding for modern languages, I think a classically-based vocabulary book at least accomplishes that to some degree. Captain Science loves it, because he loves language, and has really taken off with it. If, by the end of this first book, he responds more positively to the idea of learning Latin, I’ll consider adding it.
Sure, maybe this gives me Classical Education Fail, but I only have so much time in a day or week. We have a lot of subjects to cover and I have to prioritize. Learning Latin for the sake of learning Latin just isn’t high on my list of priorities. I also admit that my appreciation of Latin isn’t as high as others’ might be, because I never took it in school. My education was public and traditional, not private and classical, so have a tendency to prioritize things based on that experience.
Now, the various incarnations of English? That we will learn. Old English, Middle English, early Modern English? That’s where my passion lies and where I’m apt to get all het up to teach. Perhaps I can manage to drum up that level of excitement for Latin. I’m trying. I really am. I
I have to agree with you, even though I do have a bit of Latin in the background. We are steadily working on Spanish here. Doesn’t thrill us at all but, given our location, our education would be less than complete if we didn’t learn to communicate with those around us.
There is a certain thrill in being able to order your ice cream from the La Rosa guy and have him be able to understand you on the first try. My kids were so proud of themselves.
I never took Latin either, though my parents tried to convince me it would be useful. I learned French and enjoyed it greatly. Living languages often have more to offer in the way of literature, I think.
Now I’m getting my Latin the backwards way, by looking at the roots of words in scientific names and medical terms.
Old and Middle English, though? That’s awesome.
I had a high school English teacher (who otherwise sucked) who would read us un-translated Old and Middle English literature out loud–I guess that was her specialty? (She was pursuing her doctorate.) It was neat to hear and made the translated versions we had to read seem much more reasonable.
I can read Middle English with pretty excellent pronunciation, or so I’ve been told. Old English I’m iffy with — pronounce, yes, understand, no.