How to Learn Latin
There are so many reasons to learn Latin. The love of history, literature and mythology might motivate you. Maybe you want to understand the pope's midnight mass or just love Italian food. Maybe you want to know Latin terminology for science, academia or law. With discipline and resolve, you can learn this language.
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Instructions
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Find the time and make a commitment. Be prepared to study every day. At least one hour is ideal if you've got it. All foreign languages take time, so don't be surprised if Latin takes a lot of time.
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Find a basic textbook that you like, and a Latin-English dictionary. Set goals and a realistic lesson plan. Take online courses, college courses or high school courses. Try computer language software.
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Learning the grammar is important. Latin is an inflected language, which means it has flexible work order, so you can put words anywhere in the sentence. Use a grammar book or workbook. Memorize irregular verbs.
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Memorize vocabulary by making flash cards to help you. Use a phrase book to learn common phrases and practice.
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Listen to the language. Spend time in the language lab or get some audio cassettes or CDs to become familiar with the correct pronunciation of the language. Use a tape recorder to record your voice as you read.
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Get support. Join a classical languages club or an online classics group.
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Practice your Latin by reading. You can read everything from the Roman classics to modern texts-including "Winnie the Pooh," "The Cat in the Hat," "The Lord of the Rings" and the Harry Potter books-translated into Latin. Get an assist from dual-language books that have Latin and English texts side by side. You can practice with church texts, too, like the Latin Vulgate Bible or lyric sheets for church music like Gregorian chant or Mozart's "Requiem."
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Tips & Warnings
Learn the basics such as declensions and conjugations well.
