Latin I (Living Latin)

This introductory course presents Latin as a living language to be heard, spoken, read, and written. From the first day of class, students develop comprehension through meaningful communication in Latin. The instructor conducts much of the class in simple, comprehensible Latin while using English as needed to clarify difficult concepts, explain grammar, and ensure student understanding.

Students acquire vocabulary and grammar naturally through stories, conversations, classroom activities, and guided readings rather than through memorization and translation alone. Oral interaction—including greetings, classroom commands, questions and answers, descriptions, and short conversations—is an expected and regular part of daily instruction. As students gain confidence, they increasingly use Latin to communicate with their teacher and classmates.

Reading is centered on Lingua Latina per se Illustrata: Familia Romana, allowing students to encounter new vocabulary and grammar in context before formal grammatical explanations are introduced. Writing activities reinforce language acquisition through simple compositions, dictation, and personal responses.

Hans Orberg Lingua Latina per se Illustrata: Familia Romana

Chris Wilson

Chris Wilson has devoted his life to the evangelization and education of children for over twenty years. He received his BA from St. Joseph’s Seminary College in 2002 and his MTS from the John Paul II Institute at the Catholic University of America in 2007. A fire was lit in Chris’ heart for Catholic classical education in 2012 and has steadily grown stronger with each passing year. In 2022 he completed CiRCE Institute’s three year Latin Apprenticeship and is currently in his second year of CiRCE’s Lost Tools of Writing Apprenticeship. Chris lives in Carencro, LA with his wife Becky and their five beautiful children.