Greek & Latin Curriculum Reviews

The classical languages curriculum reviews take into account the comprehensiveness of the course in covering its subject material; the writing style of the author and the clarity and ease with which he helps his readers understand the subject material, and the usefulness of the curriculum to a busy homeschool mom who may not be an expert in the subject herself. Reviewed curricula are presented in trivium stage order (grammar - dialectic - rhetoric), with CCH’s top choice so indicated.

There are two methods of learning any language: inductive, and deductive. The inductive, or natural method, is the way we learned English as children. The inductive method immerses you in the language and you learn the meaning and grammar more instinctively as you go along. The deductive, or grammatical method, teaches the grammar, rules, and vocabulary of the language separately, which are then applied to translation.

The inductive method is highly successful when the learner has opportunity to speak and listen to the language under study, and is therefore a common feature of modern foreign language curricula. However, for learning Latin or koine (New Testament) Greek, which our students are unlikely to speak and listen to in conversation, I prefer the deductive method of learning. The deductive method gives children the tools they need in order to unlock the language, as has the added benefit of training the mind in precise thinking skills. All the curricula reviewed on this page teach using deduction; some use induction in varying proportions as enrichment.

Therefore you will notice some well-known curricula are not reviewed on this page: Ecce Romani, or Bob Jones Latin, for example. These programs teach using induction, which is mediated to some extent with a teacher well-versed in the language. However, most homeschool parents do not consider themselves Latin experts, therefore, the inductive method curricla did not make the cut, and CCH does not recommend them for self-study.

Greek Language Reviews

Hey Andrew! Teach Me Some Greek! by Karen Mohs
If your grammar stage children want to learn koine Greek, Hey Andrew! was written just for them. However, any beginning Greek student can also use these self-study workbooks.

Homeschool Greek by Harvey Bluedorn
The first New Testament Greek curriculum written specifically for teens aged 13 and up is earning high praise from eminent Greek scholars. For dialectic stage students, older teens, and adults with no prior knowledge of Greek.

Basics of Biblical Greek by William Mounce
Basics of Biblical Greek has been considered the best beginning Greek text for learning New Testament, or koine, Greek, and is widely used in seminaries. It is appropriate for motivated rhetoric stage students with a solid grasp of English grammar, just beginning their study of Greek. I would not recommend using this program with students younger than the rhetoric stage.

Latin Language Reviews

Latin’s Not So Tough by Karen Mohs
From the same author that brought us Hey Andrew! comes Latin’s Not So Tough, specifically written for grammar stage students, or any beginning Latin student. The program is under construction with the first three workbooks finished.

Biblia Sacra by Scott Bayer
Biblia Sacra is intended for children ages 8 and up (third graders), or any beginning Latin student. The text used is the Latin Vulgate. The program is under construction with the first volume finished.

Latin Primers by Martha Wilson
The Latin Primers were the first Latin curricula specifically written for grammar stage students in the third grade and up. This program is specific to the grammar stage.

Latina Christiana by Cheryl Lowe
Intended for grammar stage children in third grade and up, learning the ecclesiastical pronunciation with a Catholic emphasis. This program is specific to the grammar stage.

Matin Latin by Karen Craig
The newest Latin curriculum on the block specifically intended for grammar stage students beginning in the third grade. This program is specific to the grammar stage.

Latin Road to English Grammar by Barbara Beers
The Latin Road to English Grammar is intended for late grammar stage (5th or 6th grade) and dialectic stage students and up just beginning their Latin study, or any beginning Latin student.

Wheelock’s Latin by Frederic Wheelock
Wheelock’s is the Latin text beloved by classics professors in universities, and is best for late dialectic or rhetoric stage beginning Latin students, or adults wanting to teach themselves Latin.

More Latin Curriculum Reviews from the CE Loop

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