The study of all languages is ultimately about communication.
Latin, though it is now hardly spoken, is still very much a living language.
As one of the few Christian private schools in northern Virginia that teach Latin, we have thousands of pages of poetry, prose, history, and satire written by the ancient Romans. If we carefully study their language, we can listen to what they whisper though the ages and deepen our understanding of the world into which Christ came. Ad Fontes Academy offers Latin courses to students to enhance their intellectual abilities as well as their Christian growth.
Enhanced Vocabulary and Mastery of English
Latin is the root of 60% of our English words. It makes sense, then, that Latin is the surest way to gain mastery over the English language. Latin teaches the student the foundation on which English is built. Latin students actually learn English grammar more effectively and comprehensively in Latin than they do in English grammar class.
Foundation of Romance Languages
Latin is the basis of all the Romance languages including: Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian.
Greater Thinking and Learning Skills
Schools teaching Latin find that it enhances a student’s overall learning and thinking skills. Latin requires precision of thought and attention to minute detail. The discipline of learning Latin trains students in analytical and logical thinking skills. Each sentence is an intellectual puzzle that can be solved by the analysis and synthesis of many pieces of information.
Higher SAT Scores
Students of Latin have significantly higher SAT scores than students of other foreign languages. Test results for the Verbal portion of the SAT show a clear Latin advantage.
Latin in Literature and Historic Documents
The literature and historic documents of Europe and the United States (e.g. Chaucer, Shakespeare, Luther, Calvin, Thomas Jefferson) contain so many Latin phrases and classical allusions that they often cannot be fully understood and appreciated without a good background in Latin.
Cultural Legacy
Our society’s intellectual infrastructure – its science, philosophy, politics, law, medicine, drama, art – are heavily influenced by the classical world. Reading the classical texts helps us to understand who we are as Americans and members of Western Civilization. Reading the ancient writings of Greece and Rome helps to understand many of the influences that have shaped our culture.
Improved Writing Skills
Latin improves a student’s writing style. Reading and writing Latin is an exercise in brevity, precision and economy. The great classical writers of Greece and Rome (Virgil and Cicero) were incredibly disciplined in their habits of expression. Extensive exposure to them and imitation of their style make students better writers and speakers.
