Visual Latin.

(Make sure you read all the way to the end...special deal!)

So. Some of you may remember my plan to incorporate Latin into our homeschooling. And how I realized that I'd been stalling because I didn't feel comfortable with the subject, myself. And how I then realized that I was perfectly capable of learning on my own first. Well, that's exactly what I did. 

After hearing about Visual Latin through Five J's and poking around on Visual Latin's very informative website, I ordered myself the first set of lessons (1-10). I started back in February and completed them all as time allowed here and there. I'm now on the next set of lessons (11-20) and the boys are on lesson 3. It's going fabulously. 

A bit about Visual Latin

Rather than simply repeat Visual Latin's awesome explanation of their program, I'll direct you here. Seriously, go read it. It explains the program nicely. Basically, it's a series of video lessons with accompanying pdf worksheets that you download and print out. (So, you get the visual aspect with the video, the audio by listening and the kinetic by doing the worksheets. Nice!) The plan is to eventually have more than 60 lessons. To see what's offered now, check out the list of topics covered. You can buy the lessons via download or you can order a dvd to be shipped to you. I ordered the dvd so that I can play the lessons on our tv as well as on my computer. I can also replay lessons in the van while we're driving if I want. 

If you're unsure whether you want to commit to the lessons, they have a free sample lesson and four short introductory videos about why studying Latin is useful. You can download them free. 

What I like about Visual Latin

I had initially thought I'd use a more "kid-friendly" program to teach Latin to my boys. I thought I'd use Visual Latin just for myself for now and introduce it to the boys when they got older. After doing a number of the lessons on my own, though, I decided that I liked the program so much that I wanted to use it with my boys, too, even though two of them are younger than the recommended age. So far, it's turned out to be the right choice for us.

So. Here's what I like:

• I really love the bite-sized lessons...they're very doable even if you only have a few minutes. Because of this, they don't overwhelm my boys. Altogether, each lesson (with its three parts) takes us about 30-40 minutes, watching the dvd and then talking through the worksheets together. (Right now, I have yet to print out the worksheets for each boy and have just been using the set I printed out for myself. I think the age recommendation stems more from the worksheets than from the videos and have been able to work around that just fine by doing the worksheets together.) If we need to, we can do just one part of the lesson at a time and then take a break. If they're feeling particularly productive, we can always do more that week. ;) 
• Even being bite-sized, the lessons pack a punch. I've looked at other programs where a single lesson introduces only a couple words or a single concept. The Visual Latin lessons cover a nicely sized concept *while* managing to introduce (and review) a number of words. Even though each word is new, they're repeated often enough (within a single lesson and over the course of the lessons) that they simply sink in without being condescending or annoying about it. For all that my boys complain that they don't really know that much yet, they have a vocabulary already of dozens of words...enough that they can actually use sentences properly.  
• I love that the lessons build nicely on each other. They don't present new information without indicating that they're doing so and/or telling the student that a particular concept will be covered more in a future lesson. From the browsing of other programs that I've done, that's been another definite hang up...if a lesson doesn't fall short and just present wee bits, it tends to jump right in but fail to explain enough of the material (just assuming that you'll be okay with that). Visual Latin presents one concept at a time and the lessons proceed in a logical sequence to allow you to build your skills as you need them. Like in Goldilocks and the three bears, these lessons are *just right.*
• I love, too, that the lessons jump right in. Rather than worrying about pronunciation or the alphabet and spending heaps of time on things like how to say "hello" in a dead language that isn't spoken any more, the lessons start right off with "to be" verbs and have you reading and saying sentences like a pro. The concepts covered are *useful*...not just fluff.
• Finally, I love that the instructor is a "real" person. This isn't to say that I thought he was pretend or that other video instructors aren't human. ;) What I mean is that Dwane has a very easy air about him...he talks *to* the student and makes mistakes from time to time and cracks jokes. He makes my boys aware that it's okay to struggle with Latin sometimes and that it's important to keep things in perspective. And, he makes it fun. You really can't beat that. :)

What I'd love to see

Having said all that, I do have a caveat and a couple requests. 

• First, in case it matters to you, do know that the "reading" portion of the lessons thus far is based on the bible. As I've explained to my boys, historically speaking, the bible was translated into Latin while Latin was still in use, so is a good source of authentic Latin usage. 
• Second, I'd LOVE to see an iPhone/iPad app to accompany these lessons! You don't *need* one to enjoy these lessons, but I know my boys would practice more and better with one. :) If there were a way to incorporate the worksheet questions into a fun app, that would be awesome.
• Further, simple flashcards or an ongoing list of words would be useful. We can continue going back through the worksheets to review, but a separate list would be lovely. To that end, though, I'll likely make my own soon. :)

So. That's my review of Visual Latin. Love it. You should, too. ;)

And...awesome news...the lovely folks over at Visual Latin were kind enough to offer a special discount for you, my readers. Use the code BTW for 25% off all Visual Latin products for the next three days! (I'm interpreting this as meaning that it's good through the end of Sunday, April 10.) So go check it out and get a great deal on a fabulous program!