How to learn to write in Latin

To learn a foreign language, it is true that, most of the time, it is necessary to  learn vocabulary and some grammar rules that can be a bit boring. In the case of Latin, we are not going to fool you, you have to do the same. We warn you from the beginning!

We usually learn  Latin  in high school or college, but if you want to learn on your own, some tools are essential.

Although  learning Latin  online in a self-taught way can be a good option, we recommend that you do not leave aside good textbooks, which are traditional, but not too much! In fact, the didactics for learning Latin  has evolved since the beginning of its teaching. Today, it is advisable to follow the best method for us: the  Danish Orberg method .

This method is available in two volumes and two workbooks:

• Lingua Latina per se illustrata, Paris I: Roman Family,
• Lingua Latina per se illustrata, Paris II: Roma Aeterna,
• Exercitia Latina Pars I,
• Exercitia Latina Pars II .

We advise you to also invest in a dictionary, such as Santiago Segura Munguía’s Latin-Spanish Dictionary (among the best-selling of its kind in both Spain and Latin America).

This learning allows you to considerably deepen your knowledge of Latin without having to recite lists of Latin words. It is a great way to  approach Latin as a living language .

To improve your Latin lexicon, you can always make review cards. It is a method that works quite well as long as you review regularly.

In addition, reading Latin texts  is an excellent way to better understand the mechanisms of Horace’s language, in addition to learning the history of Roman civilization. We recommend four simple texts to start with:

• Jacob’s Latin Reader : Part One and Part Two;
• Ritchie’s easy fabulae ;
• From Viris Illustribus of Lhomond;
• The Vulgate in Latin.

Once you know the declensions and learn a little vocabulary, it’s time to  practice the art of translation ! Learning to decipher ancient texts is not easy or does not happen overnight, so it is essential to start with simple texts.

Make texts more complex little by little and try to  understand the meaning of the words  in the context instead of looking in the dictionary at the first change. Feel free to try the Assimil method, ideal for learning Latin declensions, understanding the letters of the Latin alphabet or making a Latin translation.

If you are in high school and need help, take a look at our Latin 1 baccalaureate teachers . How to learn to write in Latin