Blog
Where can I find a copy of the Vulgate?
I received this email: We are homeschoolers studying Latin. We enjoy your program very much! My daughter would like to have a Latin Vulgate bible. We would like minimal commentary in the bible. Can you recommend one? Thank you! Here is my reply: Glad to hear you are...
Hey… why can’t we speak Latin?
I wrote this back in 2015. I was still teaching in classrooms. It's still true. ================================================= Yesterday, during class, one of my students asked this question: "Mr. Thomas. We've been studying Latin for three years. Why aren't we...
Tip of the Week #160: How to Level Up in Spanish
This summer, I hope to jump-start my dormant Spanish skills. Not long ago, Mary, a subscriber, asked me to share exactly how I intended to do this. So, I’ll tell you. Whenever I am learning a new language, or refreshing what I once knew, I tend to take a...
Spanish first. Latin later.
I received this question: Good morning! I am interested in your Visual Latin corse for my soon to be 10 year old son. I have a few questions... How long does it typically take to complete VL 1 and 2? Is Lingua Latina the next step after Visual Latin? If so, how...
Lingua Latina after Henle Latin… where do I start?
I received this question: I recently finished Henle 1 after three years, if i switch to Lingua Latinia which level should i start in? Thanks! Here is my reply: Lingua Latina is a novel. So, as bad as it sounds, you need to start over. The book will not make sense...
Some complaints about my classes… and my reply.
Last summer, I received some complaints about my online classes. There were basically three: I complained about Henle Latin. I skipped some of the small grammatical points in the book. My classes are too long. The author of the email wanted to know if the complaints...
Classes in the fall.
I am starting to get questions about classes in the fall. Short answer: I'll be back. Long answer: I am done with First Year Latin by Robert Henle and will not be teaching it again. Not even at gunpoint. I've had enough of that book. But, all of those classes are...
Tests for Second Year Latin by Robert Henle
Today I finished writing the rough drafts for Second Year Latin tests on my site. I started this project on October 27, 2018. Took a while to finish. Do you have any idea how hard it is to write over 1,200 questions and answers for Second Year Latin by Robert Henle...
Visual Latin Errata, Lesson 14: Test 14
I received this question: - How is the translation of a quo (#12)both A) from where AND c) from whom? And, no pun intended, when was this taught? I can't find it. - Related to this, #22, A quo venit aqua? Based on the lesson I would personally translate this as "From...
Second Year Latin: Test 20
Tomorrow is the last day of filming for Word Up. Well, the last day for filming words, anyway. We will spend another week making me look like an idiot. Word Up, Volumes 2 and 3, should be available for sale before the next school year. Of course, Word Up, Volume 1...
Covid-19 and Climate Change
This would be funny if it weren't so true. But, then again... it's still funny. ================================================= Scientists Who Didn't Predict A Single Thing Accurately For Last Two Months Confident They Know What The Weather Is Going To Be Like In...
Made a long day less long…
These days I am writing for Word Up: Volume's 2 and 3. It's a long process. Honestly, I am getting a bit frustrated. English is a slippery language. But, you knew that already. I took a break from Word Up to go answer emails. This was in my inbox. Made me...
Tip of the Week #159: Five Free Things We Can Do
In the middle of the wackiest 2020 we have ever lived through, it's easy to forget the basics. Here are five things we can all do. These five things might just help us keep our sanity. And, they are all free. 1. We can read. 2. We can go outside and get some air. ...
I almost emailed her back….
I received this series of questions: I've been worming my way through the vocab lists, making myself flashcards so I can more easily drill myself on this bewildering number of words. Since I really like to know *everything* that a word means, I've been using...
Could I see an example class?
People are often confused by all that I offer. That's fine. Here's what's going on. Visual Latin is a professionally filmed series. I do not personally sell it. It is available here from Compass Classroom. Once they have completed Visual Latin many of my students...
Coronavirus silver lining
I agree 100% with Dr. Gary North. "The greatest enemy of freedom in American history has been the public school system." But, hey. Silver lining. The public schools are closed. Last week, Dr. North published the following on his site: https://www.garynorth.com/...
Tip of the Week #158: Etymonline
Like you, I subscribe to several "Tips of the Week". This week, Tim Ferris sent this link: https://www.boredpanda.com/animals-about-to-drop-album-photos/ He's right. With all of the doom and gloom right now, we could all use some laughs. The link above made me...
More on the way…
Last week, I received this note: Just wanted to send a note to say thank you for the most excellent Word Up videos and let you know that we are eagerly awaiting the new series you are working on now. They are wonderfully informative as well as entertaining! But I...
Tennessee wins.
Middle Tennessee has a terrible reputation as an allergy hotspot. I have tried (and continue to try) everything I can to stop my allergies. But, in this fight, it's Tennessee 1, Me 0. I guess Tennessee wants to keep its reputation. This happens to me every May. This...
Tip of the Week #157: How to handle the Coronavirus
Well. It’s been a while. I sure hope you all are well. Some time ago, I received this email: I’ve recently joined the email list for your email list (Tip of the Week). And I wanted to ask: Are you still sending out the Tip of the Week? I've read some of the past...
Well, well, well…
So, it turns out Henle Latin isn't traditional at all. It's modern. Suspected that. Couldn't really put it into words. This week, I received this email: This is not a class question. I just ran across this article and it supports most of what you have been doing...
Since I will not be teaching Greek anytime soon…
Some of you may find this interesting. Dr. Robert Plummer is offering an audit option for one of his Greek classes. Find out more right here: https://www.sbts.edu/online/audit/ I would love to teach Greek again, and I hope to someday. But, I am just not sure when it...
Back on Monday
A student contacted me a few days ago. She wanted to know where the morning classes had gone. I told her that I was taking a week off to figure out if I could defeat my allergies... or, if I could just wait a week for them to go away. I also told her this: I may have...
I hate cancelling classes… but, here goes.
Important Update on all live classes: I have postponed all live classes for a week. Seasonal allergies will not leave me alone. We will try again on Monday, May 11.
Jump ship.
I received this very common question: I need help deciding where my daughter needs to be in Latin. She has been in Henle Latin since Challenge A. She is now in challenge 1 and has done Henle for 3 years. But she still is struggling. She enjoys learning Latin but I...
Horses. Hold’em.
I received this email: Hi, we love Word Up! My daughter said she had seen a Word Up volume 2, but I can't seem to find it. Please let me know where we can purchase a DVD of a sequel. Thank you!! Here is my reply: It’s coming! But, you guys have to be patient. 🙂 ...
Where’d all the live classes go?
I am getting lots of questions about the live classes. Two things happened. Everyone went online due to Covid-19, and now my daytime classes barely work. And, my allergies took me down. The allergies happen every April/May, so I was planning to close my classes...
🙂
This week, I received a happy email: *Fan mail* I am a CC Director working through our first year of Henle, and I've been so grateful for your Watch Anytime options. I am *enjoying* learning Latin myself, and for all that we love/hate about Henle, I'm grateful...
SPQR
Last week, I received this note from a student: I have found an app that might be of particular interest to you and the rest of your students. It is called SPQR Latin Dictionary and Reader by Paul Hudson. It includes Classical Latin works and authors such as The...
Snort.
Oh my word. So funny... and so true: https://babylonbee.com/news/teachers-warn-parents-arent-properly-equipped-to-indoctrinate-children Don't forget. If you are stuck at home, and have decided to use the time to learn Latin, Visual Latin is on sale this week over...
Latin this week… and a sale over at Compass Classroom.
Well. Things sure are weird right now. But, you already knew that. I hope you all are well out there. For the moment, my family and I are okay. No one is sick. Like you, we are working hard to stay that way. I suppose if you are bored, now is a good time to...
Compass Classroom Spring Sale on Visual Latin Products
How to use the Henle 2 class
I received an inquiry yesterday about the Second Year Latin by Robert Henle class. This video will show you how the class works. Currently, we are working through the exercises early in the morning. We are in exercise 103 in chapter 17. On Tuesdays, we are still...
To be blunt…
I am going to get right to the point. Because some of you need it. In his Letters to Children, C. S. Lewis says the following: "To be able to read Latin easily (i.e. without having to translate it mentally as you go along) is an enormous advantage later on. Practice...
🙂
This note made me happy today. My son just came out of his room and told me how much fun he was having doing his Latin translations. He’s not what I would consider a language-gifted kid. But your Visual Latin has made it easy for him. Thank you!Tina If you are not...
I’m back… I hope.
I haven't blogged in the longest time. There are lots of reasons. I am not going to get into them. I will say that Henle Latin is one of the big reasons. I teach it because I know it helps so many of my students. But, I am not a big fan. It drains me...
Losing my voice
Guys, I know I haven't posted here in forever. Just trying to get in touch with all of my students. Just tried to teach my first class of the morning and my voice didn't make it. Not my month, as it turns out. It's been a rough one. I am cancelling all early...
God Bless America?
On January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court of the United States legalized abortion. Matt Drudge summed up the attitude of America quite well: “There will be over 3,500 killed in USA today from abortion. No flags lowered, no presidents crying. No media hyperventilating....
Where we are in the books these days (January 17, 2020)
Well... Happy New Year, everyone! I know I haven't posted at all in 2020. I haven't because... reasons. How do I put this? I just didn't start the new year with the motivation I usually have at the beginning of the year. Okay. To the point. Here is where we are in...
We’ve been fooled!
I have subscribed to Robert Kiyosaki's email list for years. I am a big fan of the book Rich Dad, Poor Dad. In fact, there is a standing offer in my house. If my kids read the book and talk to me about it, I will give them $100. This morning, while catching up on...
Schedule and Status update
I've been quiet on my blog for a bit. Christmas break and all that, you know? I hope you all had a Merry Christmas! And, now this post will take an updatey turn. Updatey is a real word, by the way. I just made it up, used it twice, and published it on the internet....
Fascinating conversation.
I watched this some time ago, and to be honest, I am reposting it here for myself. I use my blog as a storage facility. Whenever I run across something that fascinates me, I often store it here. You are always welcome to rummage around in my "storage facility",...
Brace yourself.
Sooo... This is incredible. Author Tim Ferriss posted this today on his Twitter feed. This skater is.... blind. https://twitter.com/tferriss/status/1201539192049807360?s=20
How to find tests on my site
https://vimeo.com/380816793
Wifi troubles.
I tried to teach several classes this morning, but to no avail. I am going to attempt the Lingua Latina classes that start in a half hour, or so... but, no guarantees. I came out to the mountains of East Tennessee for a few days... and, just haven't had a lot of wifi...
Well, shucks.
I am out in east Tennessee... in the mountains. Turns out, that's a problem. The wifi isn't that great. So, I missed some classes this morning. Going to try again tomorrow... but, no guarantees. No worries. If it doesn't work, I will re-shoot the classes when I am...
The Gallic Bore.
Every year, I take students through Julius Caesar's Gallic Wars. We are back at it again. Before I say anything else, let me point something out... something that I point out all the time. The New Testament is under constant attack by scholars. It withstands all...
Where we are in the books this week (December 9 – 14, 2019)
Morning classes only are cancelled from Thursday, December 12 – Saturday, December 14. There will be no classes at all from December 23 – January 4. Classes will resume January 7, 2020. ================================================= First Year Latin by Robert...
The primary reason most people are not rich.
I am reading another book by Robert Kiyosaki. (I am a big fan of his book Rich Dad, Poor Dad.) Fake, his latest book, exposes the underbelly of the government's financial shenanigans, and the ridiculousness of the government school system. Warning. The following may...
Where we are in the books: December 2 – 7
We are back! Classes resume tomorrow, December 3, 2019. I may cancel the early morning classes only from December 11 - 14. We will see. I will let you know. There will be no classes at all from December 23 - January 4. Classes will resume January 7, 2020....