Living Latin Course

A Living and Relational Latin Experience

For self-paced students, families, and groups

“Ground he at Grammar,” sums up every successful school boy’s record as it did that of the dead “Grammarian”; but the ten or twelve years of school life should yield more than this.
Towards a Philosophy of Education, p. 313

Charlotte Mason appreciated the merits of classical study and sought to fit what she could within her vision of a “liberal education for all.” In her day, many educators were passionately debating the place of Latin and Greek in schools—some stubbornly clinging to grammar-grind methods, some doing away with Classics altogether—but Miss Mason pursued a middle path, a via media: she undertook to reform how classics, and Latin specifically, were taught.

As for Latin and Greek, the teaching of these and the possibility of getting in any work beyond these is a crucial question; but … given boys who have read and thought, and who have maintained the habit of almost perfect attention that a child begins with, the necessary amount of work in the Classics may be done in a much shorter time….
Towards a Philosphy of Education, p.305

She conceived of narration as a viable, efficient method for learning Latin—as a way students could meaningfully engage with Latin as a living language. Her method was simple: a Latin passage was read, translated, and discussed. After making a thorough acquaintance with the passage, students read it again and—with books shut—narrated the substance of it in Latin. This narration could be oral or written, sometimes both. The students also kept Latin notebooks, made vocabularies for their lessons, discussed derivatives, looked up unfamiliar words in the dictionary, and organized their grammar into “tables.”

We aim to approach Latin much as they did, in the same, living way.

What does this look like?

The primary goal of this course is to cultivate knowledge—to develop skill in comprehending written and spoken Latin, translating it into good English, and narrating it with ease and accuracy. Students will absorb basic grammar and vocabulary, recognize Latin roots in English derivatives, and acquire a classical pronunciation—all while learning to read Latin from the start!

But because Miss Mason inspires our study, we know that true knowledge is more than subject mastery. Like her students, we aim to discover “what is really Latin and realize that it is a language and not a mere grammar” (Vol.6, p.213). Thus, greater ideals define our pursuit:

Vitality: We engage with Latin as a living language, as a means of relationship with an ancient people and their ideas. Miss Mason calls this intimacy a “living touch with the past.”

Liberality: Latin is one subject of many in a liberal education, and so the time devoted to it must remain proportional to the feast. Between lesson recordings and prepwork, students should plan to spend from 1.25 to 2.5 hours a week on Latin (pacing suggestions provided).

Discipline: Our study exercises many intellectual habits: attention, observation, rapid mental effort, remembering, diligence, thoroughness, etc. By observing our class recordings, students often glean other habits that contribute to a pleasant and productive learning atmosphere—punctuality, orderliness, courtesy, kindness, and integrity.

Formation: Our classroom is a supportive and collaborative space. The atmosphere we share, the disciplines we practice, and the ideas we encounter help awaken the “historic sense” and cultivate growth in character.

Literacy: We attend to the knowledge and skills needed to read Latin literature as soon as possible. For Miss Mason believed, “there is no better way of knowing a people than to know something of their own words in their own speech” (Vol.6, p.309).

Knowledge is not instruction, information, scholarship, a well-stored memory. It is passed, like the light of a torch, from mind to mind, and the flame can be kindled at original minds only. Thought, we know, breeds thought; it is as vital thought touches our minds that our ideas are vitalized, and out of our ideas comes our conduct of life.
Towards a Philosophy of Education, p. 304

The Living Latin Course offers a living introduction to Latin for self-paced students, families, and homeschool co-ops. This unique value package provides recordings from a live class, corresponding prepwork, and assessments laid out within a 36-week plan of work. Course materials are available for the entire academic year and students can work at their own pace up until the final, fixed end date of the course (from September through August). Course enrollment is limited.

Course Details

Registration for the NEW Living Latin Course will open again on April 2nd, 2027

(Enrollment begins in August; Course opens in September)

The Living Latin Course is designed to provide a living and accessible approach to Latin that combines relational instruction and guided practice in a flexible, self-paced format. Each recorded lesson introduces a new idea and engages students in the practice of new skills. A thoughtful assignment follows, intended to deepen knowledge and strengthen fluency. A variety of assessments offer regular opportunities for evaluation and reflection. All course materials are hosted in a private learning platform that opens for enrollment once a year.

Pacing suggestions are provided for middle and high school students (6th-12th)

TUITION: $350 (Private/Self-pay) or $400 (Standard Rate can be paid in monthly installments)

For Families: $350 (one enrollment included) + $200/per sibling enrollment.

Contact us for details on Group Rate.

How to Enroll: Proceed through the registration archway below, beginning April 2nd, 2027.

If you need help determining whether Living Latin Lessons is an appropriate fit for your child’s level of understanding and skill, please reach out to Angela HERE