“Mom, may I please do my Latin lessons now?”
It sounds like a joke or a dream, right? What child in their right mind would ask to do Latin? I can say from my personal experience that pretty much any child using Visual Latin might. Mine did.
Visual Latin is a video Latin curriculum, for ages 10 and up (or any good reader), taught by Dwane Thomas, a funny, personable homeschool dad, who quickly engages students with his obvious love for the language, delightful presence, and awesome sense of humor. Latin is now Ben’s favorite subject. Honestly, it’s become my favorite subject, too. Even I am learning, and I have caught myself watching the videos when Ben isn’t even around. Never in my wildest imagination . . .
DVDs and Downloads
Visual Latin is available in both DVD and downloadable format. We were able to download the video lessons to our computers and iPad. I found this VERY convenient. Even in the car, Ben can watch his Latin lessons. Along with the video lessons, PDF worksheets also come with each lesson. The lessons are short, easy to follow, and of course, can be played again and again, if necessary (or just for fun).
Dwane has a way of addressing the viewer in a such a way that you almost feel like you are in his class. He even expects you to answer his questions aloud. That he can’t hear you respond doesn’t matter; it’s just one more way of engaging you in the process.
Visual Latin’s process of teaching grammar, followed by teaching sentences, and finally, reading the language will get your student involved in translation of Latin almost immediately, building confidence and interest in the language. Dwane tosses in a few jokes now and then, and when he makes a mistake (and he does), the camera keeps on rolling, just like a real classroom.
Check it out! You can try 5 lessons of Visual Latin for free!
I think you’ll be hooked after the first video. We certainly were. Visual Latin will remain one of our core courses for some time to come. I can see it’s benefits in learning other languages, even improving the use of English, not to mention all that vocabulary!
Each lesson includes 3 videos: Grammar, Sentences, and Reading, and PDFs for each lesson: Teacher’s Guide, Vocabulary, Quizzes, and Worksheets, at two levels–Latin I and Latin II. The cost of each level is $100.
Each level of the Visual Latin curriculum can be counted a one high school foreign language credit.
You can read more about Visual Latin on their website.
Prices begin at $25 for 10 lessons and go up to $115 for an online class with Dwane. There is even a class or co-op option for $150.