Friday, June 5, 2009

Latin, Greek, Both???? Am I Crazy????

We are going to be studying ancient history next year. It seems the perfect time to introduce the study of ancient languages. I am struggling on what to do. Latin, Greek or both. I am thinking that maybe the boys and I should do Latin during week, then as a whole family we should all study Koine Greek. Here are my reasons for studying Latin:
1. Almost half of the English language is derived from Latin. Studying Latin helps students to have a better grasp on English.
2. It serves as a Rosetta Stone to unlocking French, Spanish and Italian. Being multi-lingual is a major plus when trying to enter the job market.
3. Every one of our Science books says how Latin is useful to someone studying science due to the fact that so many scientific terms come from Latin. The same is true for medicine, law, politics (although I really do NOT want to see my kids going into politics), music and literature.
4. Learning Latin helps with critical thinking skills. My kids need to think about something other than video games.

Here is why my kids want to study Latin:


The reason I would like to study Greek is because well, I have become the kind of person who gets tired of being told that even though something is interpreted one way in the Bible, in the original Greek it really means...... something a little bit different. I would like to read it for myself. I could even see my family making up a goofy song like this:


August is quickly approaching. We need to decide.


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edited to add this neat link

4 comments:

Annemarie said...

I am definitely going to watch those videos later (the kids are listening to Patch Club right now).

We have been doing Latin F*O*R*E*V*E*R. I made the mistake of buying a used Rosetta Stone when they were younger and now, I think that they hate it because they are tired of it. I might buy the newer version of it. Jen tells me that it is excellent.

Let us know what you decide so we can pick your brain. :-)

~Annemarie

rthling said...

The second one was hilarious!
Some people just have too much time on their hands.

Pick whichever one you like best.
But it's all greek to me.

What? Someone had to say it. ;)

Kelli said...

~Annemarie
What I have been looking at is Song School Latin for Samuel, Latin for Children for Benjamin, and Latin alive for Nathaniel. I like these because the one for Samuel is all about songs. Like I have said before-that kids could memorize a physics textbook if you put it to song. Benjamin's Latin of choice also has a lot of fun to it, but it has more meat. The one for Nathaniel is the least fun, but that's okay because he needs the most meat.
They just like the Star Wars video because of Luke yelling out "Nooooooonnnnnnnnnn!!"
~Rthling
I really have wanted to learn Greek for myself. I think it would be great to be able to explain the Bible more clearly. Classical Academic Press is going to be coming out Song School Greek someday, but that would really only benefit Samuel. Plus, I am worried that if we start two languages they might start hating me!

Kelli said...

Oh, I almost forgot-if we did study Greek that video gave me the inspiration for a funny t-shirt to have made for the boys: "Legomai ego" Yes, I know I am a dork:}