Why Latin?

"Taking Latin has helped with my college experience so much when it comes to English, history, and even chemistry classes. Knowing Latin roots and some history behind all of it has gotten me through way more than I ever could have imagined! Taking Latin will help you in the long run; even if it starts out kind of tough, stick with it. It’s so worth it."

- Venus, former CHS Latin Student

Latin is a Foundation of our World Today

Latin is the language first spoken by the Ancient Romans over 2,000 years ago. This remarkable civilization once governed the entire Mediterranean, and when we study Latin, we also study the culture, laws, philosophies, architecture, and other aspects of Roman society that shaped and influenced the modern culture of Europe, Africa, Australia, and—of course—our own United States. If you want to see where this influence can be found today, you don't have to look very far:

• Walk through Downtown Saint Louis, and everywhere you'll see Neo-Classical Architecture hearkening back to Roman times.

• Look up at the stars, and you'll see constellations named after their depictions of Roman gods, heroes, and animals.

• Serve in the American military, and you'll study tactics and strategies first developed by or against Roman commanders.

• Read the U.S. Constitution, and you'll find a document that was heavily modeled after the constitution of the Ancient Roman Republic.

• Step into an art museum, and you'll be overwhelmed with works that depict or reference Roman figures and themes.

• Read any literature— especially the "literary classics"— and you'll struggle to find a page that isn't alluding to Romans or their gods.

How often does the average high school student encounter things shaped by the Romans? So often that, every Wednesday, my students spend anywhere between 5-40 minutes sharing and explaining every "Latin Experience" they had in their week. This stuff really is everywhere.

Latin is Mythology

It is impossible to read and understand Latin literature without also learning about the ancient gods and goddesses that shaped it. To this very day, these mythological figures and stories are all over literature and art, whether they are amazing young minds in the Percy Jackson novels or capturing our imaginations in video games and movies. When you study Latin, you not only learn about this mythology through a close lens, but you even read the original Latin literature that explores these topics, learning about gods and goddesses from the ancient writers who actually worshiped and revered them. While I can't speak for all Latin programs, in our own program we explore:

• stories of the 12 Olympian gods (Jupiter, Juno, Venus, Minerva, etc.) and their Greek equivalents (Zeus, Hera, Aphrodite, Athena, etc.)

• the rich story of the Trojan War, its heroes, and its significance for the Roman people

• the Labors of Hercules, War with the Titans, and much more!

Latin is History

As with mythology, it would impossible to fully understand any Latin literature without also learning about the history of the ancient world. Students of Latin learn about the foundation of Rome, the rise and fall of the Roman Republic, the prosperity of the Roman Empire, and, ultimately, the fall of Rome itself. This history helps contextualize the world in which we live, and it can often be striking how many issues the Romans faced that we, too, are facing today (issues like corruption, income-inequality, welfare, immigration reform, foreign policy, natural disasters, and the distribution of propaganda).

Latin is English

Or at least, Latin is 60% of it. Short words like he, she, run, dance, walk, etc. were already in the English language before Latin began to influence it, but almost all of our more difficult and challenging words come from the Latin language. In fact, Latin is responsible for somewhere between 80%-90% of English words that are longer than 1 syllable. These are the words that we, as English speakers, find difficult to learn; words like abdication, nescient, voluptuous, lascivious, impertinent, arbitrate, etc. As you might have guessed, this means that Latin students develop a much deeper English vocabulary, and they have a distinct advantage over other students when reading challenging literature, writing essays, or even taking the SAT. In 2018, CHS Latin students had an average SAT score that was over 200 points higher than the school average!

While it is true that you will likely never "speak" Latin in the same way that you might speak a modern language, you will still use it every day, and while it takes many years to develop true fluency in any language, you'll begin to experience the benefits of much deeper understanding of English whether you take 4, 3, 2, or even just 1 year of Latin.

Latin is Grammar

Latin is famous for the complexity of its grammar. This doesn't necessarily mean that a Latin class is difficult (my students certainly pick it up just fine), but it does mean that any Latin class looks at grammar very closely. After studying Latin, students typically have a very deep understanding of how language breaks down, and this understanding makes it much easier for them both to read and to write complex English sentences. This is instruction that benefits all students, regardless of their background. Students with learning disabilities benefit from the explicit instruction of rules and how they relate to their own language, and many students with ASD enjoy the clarity and organization of the Latin language (despite its complexity, the rules of the Latin language are usually quite rigid and have very few exceptions in comparison to other languages commonly taught at the high school level).

Latin is Art

The study of Latin is the study of Ancient Rome, and the study of Ancient Rome is not complete without the study art. Whether its ancient art (mosaics, sculptures, pottery, etc.) or art produced during and after the Renaissance, the study of Latin brings you face to face with some of the most iconic and beautiful works in human history. Latin students learn about a variety of masterpieces and art forms, and in our program at CHS, students also have the opportunity to create their own artwork employing Classical themes and styles. In fact, Latin is one of the only subjects at CHS in which students regularly receive statewide awards for their artistic abilities.

Latin is Achievement

The Latin-learning community is one of the most active and inter-connected academic communities in the United States, and as a result, Latin students have a great number of opportunities to compete and earn achievements at the state and national level. Last year alone, CHS brought home 74 different state and national awards for individual student achievements. I have always found that the Latin-learning community gives students an unparalleled opportunity to earn recognition that can enhance their high school portfolio, college applications, and résumés.

Latin Complements Any Career

The wide variety of skills taught in Latin classrooms prove to be an asset in any industry. These skills include pattern analysis, close reading, open-ended problem-solving, command over language, and much more. There's a reason why a degree in Classics (the study of Latin & Ancient Greek) was named one of 2019's 25 Best College Majors for a Lucrative Career. In our Latin program at CHS, students are fortunate enough to experience many of these benefits while still in high school, without ever setting foot in a college classroom.