Award-Winning Latin Lessons in Ann Arbor, MI

Varsity Tutors can put you in Ann Arbor Latin lessons that will suit your needs, regardless of your goals or current level of proficiency. Whether you're a University of Michigan student interested in a future in medicine, law, or theology; a Pioneer High School student learning some Latin early on in your academic career; a student at another area school; or someone from another walk of life learning Latin for professional or personal reasons, we can help you get the guidance you need in a way that fits your schedule. Learning any language is difficult, and traditional classrooms aren't always able to provide students with the resources or amount of practice that can be necessary. Latin presents some unique difficulties in this regard, as there are no large communities of day-to-day Latin speakers. Finding places to practice your Latin skills can be tough. By enrolling in Ann Arbor Latin lessons, you get new ways to get more Latin into your life so you can learn the language faster and more effectively.

Latin is often described as a "dead" language, sometimes deprecatingly. This just means that Latin isn't used widely as a spoken language and doesn't mean that Latin can't be a useful language to learn. Latin is the foundation of all modern Romance languages, which include French, Italian, Spanish, Romanian, and Portuguese. It has also had a huge influence on the development of English. If you're interested in studying languages or linguistics, Latin can be a great choice, as it gives you access to the roots of many Western languages. Latin was used through the Middle Ages and into the early modern period of European history, so it has been tied to the development of Western culture and religious life for centuries. To this day, Latin remains the official language of the Roman Catholic Church. So if you have an interest in theology or European history, Latin can be crucial in understanding source material. It's also common for law students, medical students, and those in the sciences to learn Latin, as the language is still used in the terminology of these disciplines.

What material will I study in Ann Arbor Latin lessons?

Because of Latin's deep connections to Romance languages and English, some elements of Latin may be immediately recognizable to you. A strong English vocabulary can certainly help you learn Latin, as many words are almost identical between the two languages. For example, the Latin word "adulescens" means "adolescent," and "finis" means "finish." You also won't have to worry all that much about your accent when learning Latin. There is no such thing as an authentic Latin accent since there are no communities that speak Latin. You will have to work on developing consistent pronunciation though, as this can make reading Latin much more fluid and can help you more easily recognize and learn new words.

Grammar and structure is where Latin gets difficult. In Latin, the endings of words, known as inflections, are the determining factor in how the subjects of objects in a sentence interact. In English, this is mostly communicated through word order. To give a simple example, "Mark sang to Sarah" means something different than "Sarah sang to Mark." In Latin, rules about word order are not nearly as strict, which can be confusing to many new learners. You'll have to look at the inflections of each word in a sentence to understand what subjects are acting on what objects. While this may seem difficult, it also makes Latin a very concise and elegant language, as a single word can communicate meaning that would take several words in English.

In addition to inflections, you'll also have to learn Latin's system of genders. All nouns have a gender in Latin: masculine, feminine, or neuter. You'll need to memorize each noun's gender, and know how to match adjectives to the gender and number of the nouns they reference. You'll also study common Latin phrases, read in Latin, and may even learn a bit of Latin history. There are two forms of Latin, Classical and Vulgar Latin, and depending on your goals, you may want to focus on one, the other, or both.

How do Ann Arbor Latin lessons work?

You have some choices when signing up for Latin lessons. You can opt for a group class, private instruction, or even a mix of both if you prefer. If you'd like to learn Latin alongside other students and would like to get more practice conversing in Latin, a group class can be a great idea. Classes are taught entirely online in a virtual classroom where you'll be able to see and speak with your Latin instructor and your classmates. You'll be able to participate in collaborative group learning activities and discussions and get feedback from your teacher. This sort of group learning environment has been shown to assist students in learning new material and in retaining knowledge in the long term. Online classes are also great for anyone with a packed schedule, as they are offered at a wide variety of times and don't necessitate a commute. This is especially helpful when learning Latin, since consistent practice is so important. Even if you've got a busy professional, personal, or academic life, you can be confident that you'll have easy access to an environment where you can practice your Latin.

Private instruction from an Ann Arbor Latin tutor has some definite advantages too. If you choose this type of support, we can help you find an independent tutor who can craft a personalized curriculum to suit your specific needs and target elements of Latin that are important to you. For example, if you're interested in theology or going into a seminary, your Ann Arbor Latin tutor can help you focus on Latin forms and vocabulary that will be most useful to you when reading religious texts in Latin. You'll also be able to get instruction that's tailored to your learning style. If you decide to go with private instruction, you'll have the option of studying with your tutor over the internet using a Live Learning Platform, where you'll be able to see your tutor over video and use a virtual whiteboard to work together. If you'd prefer face-to-face tutoring, your Ann Arbor Latin tutor can meet you at the place of your choosing, whether that's a library, a cafe, your own home, or elsewhere.

How can I get signed up?

Whether you're a working professional looking to fit Latin lessons into a busy work schedule, a Skyline High School student trying to add more Latin into your day while juggling sports and extracurricular activities, or any other kind of Latin learner, Varsity Tutors can sign you up for Ann Arbor Latin lessons that may transform your language learning experience. Contact us today for more information about the services we offer, and let us find Latin lessons that can fit your schedule and help you pursue your goals.