HOW TO DO WELL IN lATIN

1. Preparation- a language needs to be studied every day, not just the night before a class. Give it 15-20 minutes each night, increasing on nights before class, and you will become more attuned.

A. Vary your study- do a bit of vocabulary review, some grammar, and some translation.

B. If you run into problems, don’t panic immediately. If you can leave it for 24 hours, do it and come back with a fresh approach. If it is still a problem, see me or pair up with a class mate. Sometimes, someone else can unlock the key for you.

2. Organisation- I suggest that you have two notebooks in this class.

A. One is for notes in class, homework, and the like. This is the messy notebook with lots of corrections and additions. Suggest a loose leaf with pages that can come out and then be put back in. Organise by sections of the book and date- make it an easy reference book.

B. Much more important- get a spiral notebook of about 50 pages or so. In the front part, we will build a grammar section for you, something that you can refer to as long as you take Latin. In the back, have an area to add new vocabulary words not in the book.

C. I would also suggest a couple of folders with pockets for papers I will give you during the year- these will be designed to help you and you will want quick and easy access to them.

3. Repetition- the way to learn things is to say them out loud. As you get sets of endings, repeat them in the shower, while you’re working around the house, or while you drive to class. The first scene from Dead Poets’ Society is A way to learn Latin- it is not the only way, but it will certainly help. And to be honest, there are no short cuts.

4. Questioning- if you don’t understand something, ask. There are no stupid questions. If you still don’t feel comfortable asking in class, see me afterwards- don’t let it linger.

5. Consistency- by that, I mean be consistent at doing assignments. Don’t be concerned if they are not absolutely correct. Even on assignments you will turn in, I’d rather see you make some mistakes that can be brought out and corrected.