Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Education

Join the discussion on our Education forum.

Original poster

Should DD learn Latin?

62 replies

wangle99 · 30/08/2005 12:53

DD has the option to start learning latin from September when she goes into Year 4.

I didn't learn it at school, neither did DH so we don't really know what it entails.

DD doesn't really know what it's about either!

Any opinions?

Thanks

OP posts:
GeorgieVickyLou · 30/08/2005 12:55

If i had the chance i would as it is the basis of most languages, once you know latin you can learn nearly any other language.. don't think it's an easy one to learn though..

RTKangaMummy · 30/08/2005 12:56

so is she in prep school?

if she is going to independant school at 11 or 13 then IMHO she should start it now

cos she will do it later anyway

GeorgieVickyLou · 30/08/2005 12:58

Sorry to nick your thread but RTK - didn't you want the Digital camera then

RTKangaMummy · 30/08/2005 13:00

I obviously wasn't the "right" kind of person to buy it from her

Or my money wasn't good enough for her

flamesparrow · 30/08/2005 13:01

I learnt latin from Yrs 7-9... and remember nothing.

I am useless at languages though, so that could be part of the reason.

GeorgieVickyLou · 30/08/2005 13:02

He he - i did make me giggle, perhaps you should put a wanted post on for one (no don't!)

Aby how - back to latin! if she's the chance to learn it - go for it!

zippitippitoes · 30/08/2005 13:03

If she enjoys reading and writing and is generally doing well, then it is excellent for language skills. It is also fun if well taught, especially if you enjoy playing with words.

I did Latin A Level and don't regret it.

RTKangaMummy · 30/08/2005 13:03

If the class will be doing latin what will she do if she doesn't do it?

flamesparrow · 30/08/2005 13:04

Just to add... I was much more recpetive to languages in yr4... my sister was learning French then (she was starting senior school), and the bits that she taught me then, are the ones that have stayed with me.

Original poster
wangle99 · 30/08/2005 13:12

Wow, I wasn't expecting so many replies so quickly!

Yes she is at prep school.

Latin is taught as an extra, I'm not sure whether it is taught after school or during some other 'free' time but I do know it isn't compulsory.

I will encourage her to give it ago, if she is going to have to do it later anyway she might as well start it now!

Thanks!

OP posts:
RTKangaMummy · 30/08/2005 13:17

If she is going to independant school I am sure it will be compulsory

Well it is at DH school and probably is at nearly all of them

perhaps if you know where she will go later then check it out if it is compulsory

If it is then deffo go for it now she may learn easier

good luck

RTKangaMummy · 30/08/2005 13:18

Also the entrance exams in this area have latin as part of it IIRC

Caribbeanqueen · 30/08/2005 13:20

I would say definitely go for it. If she learns French, Spanish or Italian later, it will be a big help to her.

chloe55 · 30/08/2005 13:23

I learnt Latin at school from age 11-14, IMO was a complete waste of time and I love languages. I wouldn't say that any of my Latin knowledge (which is now non-existent) was ever of any use to me, does she have the choice of other languages? Spanish/French/German will be of more use to her I am sure.

marialuisa · 30/08/2005 13:23

I opted to do German rather than latin but changed school mid-way through equivalent to Y9, new school was slightly more traditional and for various reasons they decided I should catch-up Latin rather than be sent to Classics lessons. I really enjoyed the subject and ended up doing it as a GCSE option. I have a bit of an ear for languages but the Latin really helps. I'll certainly be encouraging DD to choose Latin over German when her time comes!

BTW-sorry to contradict Kangamummy but Latin isn't compulsory at many schools now, even at the more traditional end of the market.

KateF · 30/08/2005 13:27

My dad was a linguist instructor in the RAF and he always said it was a shame Latin had been dropped from state schools as it helped so much with other languages.

chloe55 · 30/08/2005 13:37

I just found it so tedious because I knew it was an unspoken language now, I guess it may have helped sub-consciously in other languages I took but I found it hard to concentrate learning something that I thought I would never use. I guess your DD will be young enough to maybe not think about those things though

RTKangaMummy · 30/08/2005 13:39

marialuisa that is OK

It is just that it is round here so assumed it was everywhere

Here it is for years 7, 8, 9,

zippitippitoes · 30/08/2005 13:43

I think the fact it isn't spoken means that if you enjoy the puzzle nature of the construction then you have all the academic interest without having to speak with a Roman accent.

It is really good for expanding vocabulary though as you see the roots of words.

Though am I write in thinking they don't do translation into Latin now, just from it?

And also because it was deemed boring some enthusiasts have brought some brilliant teaching materials better than for other languages...

Caribbeanqueen · 30/08/2005 13:46

Yes zippi, you can get all sorts of books in Latin now. There are Winnie the Pooh books and one of the teachin books is Maximus the Mouse I think.

Probably more fun now than when I did it.

Issymum · 30/08/2005 14:45

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at OP's request

saadia · 30/08/2005 14:47

I would definitely go for it. I took O Level Latin and loved it. Even though it has never actually "come in useful" I'm so glad I have a knowledge of it. I really enjoyed studying both the language and the literature. If she has the option I would say give it a go and see if she likes it/has an aptitude for it.

swedishmum · 30/08/2005 15:34
  1. It helps with spelling
  1. Though I took Latin O level in 1979 then as a subsid subject in 6th form, I was thrilled in Pompeii last week to be where the admittedly ficticious Caecilius lived and was almost looking for signs! I wish my lot had the chance to learn. Did anyone else do those little green books?
happymerryberries · 30/08/2005 15:39

This is the link to the books you are talking about, lots of on-line activities

caecilius et al!

Lio · 30/08/2005 15:46

Hi wangle, latin is a great subject, I'll try and alert Sestius to this thread to persuade you!