by Dwane | May 27, 2015 | Ebook, Education, English, Italian, Latin, Motivation, Q&A
I received this question: Our first son was in your class this year. We have not been involved in language study before, can you give me an idea of what might be a next step for him in regards to language study? He really enjoys it, and from what I can tell, is...
by Dwane | May 23, 2015 | Tip of the Week
“Set aside a certain number of days, during which you shall be content with the scantiest and cheapest fare, with course and rough dress, saying to yourself the while: Is this the condition that I feared?” – Seneca 4 BC – AD 65 I went to...
by Dwane | May 22, 2015 | Education, Latin
I received these questions: Hi, we just signed up for the Henle class and I’m noticing there are only 31 webinar classes. Your site said it was a 41-week class. Are you no longer covering the entire book (42 lessons)? We have already worked through the 36th...
by Dwane | May 22, 2015 | Education, Latin
I received this question: Hi Dwane, First of all I have to say after watching your sample lessons of Visual Latin, I absolutely LOVE IT!!! I am so happy I stumbled upon your website last night! My question is this… I would like to order your Visual Latin 1...
by Dwane | May 22, 2015 | Motivation, Travel
We moved often when I was young. Dad was in the U.S. Air Force. Back then (in the 70’s and 80’s), redeployment was common. Until moving to Franklin, Tennessee, I live in no location longer than four years. Two years, actually, was the average. We...
by Dwane | May 22, 2015 | Education, Latin
I received this question: Mr. Thomas, My son has completed one year of HS Latin with a local magistra, and took your VL 2 this past year. He did well on the Intro to Latin, Latin I and Latin II NLE’s. My question/concern is what to do for Latin 3 since most...
by Dwane | May 22, 2015 | Uncategorized
For years, my old Honda’s were my financial Achilles heel. Whenever I broke away financially and managed to save a little money, my car would break down. The savings would repair the car. I would go back to work, in my car, to save more money to repair my car...
by Dwane | May 22, 2015 | Education, Latin, Latin in Literature
I received this question: My daughter would like to take the Henle II class, but she happens to have orchestra practice during your class time on Wednesdays. Is there any chance that you might add another day/time for Henle II? Here is my reply: Hi! I am so sorry....
by Dwane | May 21, 2015 | Education, Latin
A reader asks: Do you think you would ever consider doing some sort of summer intensive for students learning Latin? Or even a supplemental online class during the summer break? Thank you! Here is my reply: Hi! You are the fourth person this week to ask this question....
by Dwane | May 21, 2015 | Education, Latin
Years ago, my family was foreclosed on. We ended up living with my wife’s parents for some time. I was a school teacher, earning a teacher’s salary. This is not such a bad thing if you work for the government, but I was a teacher in a private school. We had...
by Dwane | May 21, 2015 | Education, English, German, Spanish
Yesterday, I blogged about the English pronoun “you.” Here is part of the post: Often you will hear people say things like, “I can’t read the King James Version of the Bible. I get tired of the formal ‘thee’s’ and ‘thou’s.’” Funny thing is, those...
by Dwane | May 20, 2015 | English
Words change. Languages change. English shifted dramatically over the years. Here is an interesting lesson on the development of you. http://www.english-grammar-revolution.com/history-of-you.html Often you will hear people say things like, “I can’t read...
by Dwane | May 20, 2015 | English, Latin
Natality: the birth rate. In philosophy, natality is human innovation. Natality is the human ability to create new ideas out of nothing. Natality comes from the French natalité, which derives from the Latin word natal. Natal means “birthday.” Since today...
by Dwane | May 19, 2015 | Education, Latin
I received this question: To get “credit” for a foreign language, my daughter needs to take the National Latin Exam and pass. Do you have any experience preparing kids for this exam? My daughter will take your Lingua Latina this fall. Hopefully, she will take the...
by Dwane | May 19, 2015 | Education, Latin
I received this call for help: We are currently in Classical Conversations. My daughters have been in Henle Latin 1 for 3-4 yrs. This year, we completely lost interest and decided to pull back (plus we had some family health issues). So, now, we are STILL not thru...
by Dwane | May 19, 2015 | Education, English, Vocabulary
I received this question: Would this and/or your Word up program be good for SAT prep? If so, would the Word Up alone be adequate as my son is taking the SAT in the fall. Here is my reply: I do intend to head that direction with the online Vocabulary class. I will be...
by Dwane | May 19, 2015 | Education, Latin
I received this question: Ok, I know we haven’t actually finished this academic year yet, but I’m beginning to plan for next year now. I’d love for my daughter to take Latin 2 with you online, but we’ve got a time conflict with the Wed 4-4:55...
by Dwane | May 18, 2015 | Education, Motivation
For me, the school year ends on Monday. Well, it almost ends. I will still teach online for several more weeks. I have been in the classroom for nearly 20 years. During those years, I have discovered one of the best ways to learn another language. Skip class....
by Dwane | May 16, 2015 | Tip of the Week
For me, the school year ends on Monday. Well, it almost ends. I will still teach online for several more weeks. I have been in the classroom for nearly 20 years. During those years, I have discovered one of the best ways to learn another language. Skip class....
by Dwane | May 16, 2015 | Education, Greek, Italian, Latin, Vocabulary
Cognoscente: Someone possessing superior knowledge in a particular field, usually the arts; a connoisseur, an aficionado, a discerning expert. I get the feeling a “cognoscente” is likely a member of the Illuminati of the art world. Or, based on modern art purchases,...
by Dwane | May 15, 2015 | English, Latin, Vocabulary
Reconnoiter: to view; to survey; to inspect. Particularly in military affairs, to reconnoiter is to examine the state of an enemy’s army or camp. To survey the bad guys for military purposes. Reconnoiter comes from the French reconnaître, which comes from Latin...
by Dwane | May 14, 2015 | Education, Latin, Q&A
I received this inquiry: “Which of the two “Latin 1″ courses you teach would you recommend for a high school credit for a young man? Henle Latin or Lingua Latina.” Here is my reply: The short answer: Lingua Latina. The long answer: Two of my...
by Dwane | May 14, 2015 | English, Greek, Latin
Connoisseur: A person well versed in any subject; a skillful or knowing person; a critical judge or master of any art, particularly of painting and sculpture. From French connaisseur. The French word derives from the verb connoître (acquainted, to know). Father of...
by Dwane | May 13, 2015 | Education, Greek
One of my favorite students emailed me today just before class. Read it before you join the Greek class. Greek will eat your lunch. If ten of you sign up, three of you will make it to the end. I am not kidding. If you think Latin is tough…. You have been...
by Dwane | May 13, 2015 | English, Greek, Latin, Vocabulary
Cognizance: having knowledge of something. When you possess cognizance, you possess knowledge. As G. I. Joe says, “Cognizance is half the battle.” Or, something like that. Cognizance can also mean perception, awareness, the ability to notice things. Cognizance...
