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Ben Lugosch

Welcome to the bestselling Latin course on Udemy.

Over the years of teaching Latin from the excellent and justly renowned textbook "Wheelock's Latin," I have created a series of lectures designed to help students to learn Latin online and get the most of this magnificent book. In them you will find guidance to some of the more perplexing concepts of grammar English and Latin that often comprise an insuperable barrier to progressing in Latin for modern-day students.

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Welcome to the bestselling Latin course on Udemy.

Over the years of teaching Latin from the excellent and justly renowned textbook "Wheelock's Latin," I have created a series of lectures designed to help students to learn Latin online and get the most of this magnificent book. In them you will find guidance to some of the more perplexing concepts of grammar English and Latin that often comprise an insuperable barrier to progressing in Latin for modern-day students.

My lectures therefore have double-duty. They review the concepts of English grammar when you need them, and theyu help you understand how they can be applied to Latin grammar. You’ll also find guidance to the extremely useful self-tutorial exercises in the back of the Wheelock book for each chapter. Finally, I provide a complete description of how the sound of classical, silver-age Latin by modern academia.

The lectures will not replace the Wheelock text. They will only, I hope, make your on-ramp smoother. To that end, the lectures track exactly with the chapters of the textbook. This will give you context sensitive help when you need it.

You will not find answers to the exercises or anything that is copyright protected by the publisher of the Wheelock book. To get any benefit from these lectures, you must have the Wheelock text.

When you’ve completed the series on the Wheelock, you may wish to check out my detailed readings and discussion of the revered Fabulae Faciles, a set of graded readers designed to help readers move from elementary Latin grammar to intermediate prose.

Finally, I also have two complete classes on the texts used by the American AP Latin exams. They’ll be very useful for student preparing for the exams, or for advanced readers who wish to start in on Vergil’s Aeneid and Caesar’s Gallic Wars.

Best of luck to you.

-bl

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • A thorough mastery of elementary latin grammar
  • Additional insight into english grammar and vocabulary

Syllabus

First Things
Summary

We don't know exactly how classical Latin would have been pronounced, but some conjectures are better than others. In this lecture, I quickly go over the basic agreements of reconstructed classical Latin. You may wonder why we should bother. It's a dead language. True, but trying to pronounce the Latin in front of you really does speed up your mastery. And conversely, over the years I've discovered the truism that those who don't pronounce Latin out loud don't learn it. Fact.
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Tips on establishing a healthy study routine (i.e. how not to waste time). Sorry about the noise at the beginning. I was adjusting the mic. 
Chapter 1: The Basics of Verbs; The First Conjugation
Summary

Latin verbs change their person and number by adding suffixes to the stem. These suffixes correspond to English personal pronouns. Verbs can also show commands and infinitives by changing the ending. 

Latin verbs are divided into conjugations depending on the vowel that ends the verbal stem. A verb whose stem ends in ā is a first conjugation verb; a verb whose stem ends in ē is a second conjugation verb.

Chapter 01: 1st and 2nd Conjugation Verbs (2 of 2)

I'm keeping up this very old lecture from when I was teaching Latin as a little extra practice if you think you need it. -bl

The "Forms and Concepts" file for each chapter helps you get a clear idea of what's been covered in the chapter: new forms and new concepts. As you record your new forms, be sure that you include all long marks. Express the new concepts and terms in your own words. These two together -- forms and concepts -- will provide you an invaluable resource for drilling and for reviewing.

I read through the sentences from the Optional Self Tutorials so you can get more experience pronouncing Latin. The file has just the audio. You'll want to follow along in the book.

There is a comprehensive, chapter-by-chapter set of exercises at the end of the book called "Self-Help Tutorials." These excellent drills give you the chance to review and test your knowledge of the chapter material, and yet many student skip over them. 

In my lectures on the Self-Tutorials, I help you get started in the exercises my reviewing the major concepts of the chapter and doing a couple of the sentences for you. Please don't hurry through these chapter reviews or pass them by altogether. They are time very well spent.

Chapter 2: Nouns, Cases, and the First Declension

Review of the first declension nouns and the concept of cases.
Class 4: Self-Tutorial Exercises Discussed

I ramble a little at the beginning . . . The sentences start at 1:15 if you want to skip all that.

Chapter 3: The Second Declension; More about Adjectives; Apposition; a Note about Word Order
Summary

More about nouns and adjectives: agreement.
Summary

Case endings give Latin a very flexible word order by our standards. Generally, however, a Latin sentence will be constructed thus: Subject -- Object -- Verb. 
Review of second declension nouns and endings.
Review sheet for the new vocabulary.
Class 6: Discussion of Self-Tutorial Exercises
Class 7: Self-Tutorial Sentences Read
Chapter 4: Second Declension Neuters; Adjectives; Present of Sum; Predicate Nominatives; Substantives
Summary

Summary

sum
es
est

sumus
estis
sunt

esse
Summary

A word in the nominative case need not be the subject of a verb. It may be linked to the subject via a linking (aka, copulative) verb, such as "to be." A nominative thus used is called a "predicate nominative." 
Summary

As in English, an adjective in Latin may be used as a noun: the wealthy, the poor, etc. When used thus, the syntax is called a "substantive" use of an adjective, or we may say that the adjective is being used as a substantive.
Review of neuters, "sum, esse," predicate nominatives, and substantival use of adjectives.
Review of new vocabulary.
Chapter 04: Self-Tutorial Discussion
Chapter 04: Self-Tutorial Sentences Read
Chapter 5: First and Second Conjugations: Future and Imperfect; Adjectives in - er
The Imperfect and Future Tenses
Summary

Just as there are nouns belonging to the second declension whose nominative ends in -er, so also there are first and second declension adjectives that use the -er termination in the masculine nominative singular.
Review of future, imperfect, adjectives in -er, -a, -um
Review of new vocabulary
Chapter 05: Self-Tutorial Discussion
Chapter 05: Self-Tutorial Sentences Read
Chapter 6: Sum and Possum; Complementary Infinitive

Review sheet for sum, possum, and concepts
Vocabulary sheet
Chapter 06: Self-Tutorial Discussion
Chapter 06: Self-Tutorial Sentences Read
Chapter 7: Third Declension Nouns
Third declension nouns
Review sheet for third declension nouns and new concepts
Review sheet for new vocabulary
Chapter 07: Self-Tutorial Discussion
Chapter 07: Self-Tutorial Sentences Read
Chapter 8: Third Conjugation: Present System
Present system of the third conjugation
Review sheet for the present system of third conjugation verbs
Review sheet for third conjugation verbs in the present system
Chapter 08: Self-Tutorial Discussion
Chapter 08: Self-Tutorial Sentences Read
Chapter 9: Demonstratives Hic, Ille, Iste; Special - īus Adjectives
Demonstratives; mixed declension; UNUS NAUTA
Review sheet for demonstratives and new concepts
Chapter 09: Self-Tutorial Discussion
Chapter 09: Self-Tutorial Sentences Read
Chapter 10: Fourth Conjugation and - iō Verbs of the Third
Lecture on fourth and third i-stem conjugation verbs
Downloadable review sheet to help you review 3rd -stem and 4th conjugation verbs
Downloadable sheet for new vocabulary
Chapter 10: Self-Tutorial Discussion
Chapter 10: Self-Tutorial Sentences Read
Chapter 11: Personal Pronouns and idem, eadem, idem
Discussion of personal pronouns and the demonstrative is, ea, id
Downloadable review sheet for pronouns and new concepts
Chapter 11: Self-Tutorial Discussion
Chapter 11: Self-Tutorial Sentences Read
Chapter 12: Perfect System (Active)
The perfect system (active) for all verbs
Instructions how to use a synopsis for review
Download form to help you review the new ideas and forms
Downloadable form for the new vocabulary
Downloadable synopsis sheet for your practice
Chapter 12: Self-Tutorial Discussion
Chapter 12: Self-Tutorial Sentences Read
Chapter 13: Reflexive Pronouns and Reflexive Possessive Adjectives
Lecture on reflexives: pronouns and possessive adjective suus, -a, -um
Downloadable form to help you review the new forms and concepts
Form for new vocabulary
Chapter 13: Self-Tutorial Sentences Read
Chapter 14: Third Declension i-stem Nouns; Ablative of Manner and Means
Lecture on third declension i-stems and a couple special uses of the ablative case
Downloadable form to help you review the new forms and concepts from this chapter
New vocabulary
Chapter 14: Self-Tutorial Discussion
Chapter 14: Self-Tutorial Sentences Read
Chapter 15: Ordinal and Cardinal Numbers; Genitive of the Whole; Ablative of Time
Lecture on the new forms and material from this chapter
Form to help you study and review
Write down the information about the new vocabulary
Chapter 15: Self-Tutorial Discussion

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Develops a thorough mastery of elementary Latin grammar, providing a solid foundation for further study
Provides additional insight into the complexities of English grammar and vocabulary
Builds a strong foundation for intermediate Latin studies
Taught by Ben Lugosch, an experienced Latin instructor
Covers key concepts in Latin grammar, with a focus on the Wheelock textbook
Offers guided practice exercises to reinforce understanding

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Wheelock's Latin : Chapters 1-15 Lectures with these activities:
Organize Your Notes and Materials
Having your notes and materials organized will help you to study more efficiently. Take some time to organize your notes, handouts, and other materials.
Show steps
  • Gather all of your notes, handouts, and other materials.
  • Organize your materials by chapter.
  • Create a study schedule.
  • Review your materials regularly.
Form a Study Group
Studying with a group of peers can help you to learn the material more effectively. You can quiz each other, discuss the concepts, and help each other to understand difficult material.
Show steps
  • Find a group of peers who are also taking this course.
  • Meet regularly to study the material.
  • Quiz each other.
  • Discuss the concepts.
  • Help each other to understand difficult material.
Read Wheelock's Latin
This book is the foundation for this course. Reading this book prior to the start of the course will provide you a thorough review of the content that we will cover in this online course.
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Show steps
  • Read the assigned chapters before each class session.
  • Take notes as you read.
  • Complete the exercises at the end of each chapter.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Watch the Lecture Videos
These videos provide a clear and concise review of the material covered in each chapter. Watching these videos will help you to understand the concepts more deeply.
Show steps
  • Watch the lecture videos for each chapter as they are assigned.
  • Take notes as you watch.
  • Review the videos as needed.
Create a Latin Grammar Cheat Sheet
This project will help you to summarize the key concepts of Latin grammar. As you create the cheat sheet, you will need to identify the most important rules and then write a clear and concise explanation of each rule.
Show steps
  • Identify the most important rules of Latin grammar.
  • Write a clear and concise explanation of each rule.
  • Organize the rules in a logical order.
  • Review your cheat sheet and make any necessary corrections.
Complete the Self-Help Tutorials
These exercises provide you with an opportunity to practice the concepts you are learning in class. Completing these exercises will help you to solidify your understanding of the material.
Show steps
  • Complete the exercises for each chapter as they are assigned.
  • Check your answers against the answer key.
  • Review the exercises that you missed.
Create a Latin-English Dictionary
This project will help you to develop a deeper understanding of Latin vocabulary. As you create the dictionary, you will need to look up the meaning of each word and then write a clear and concise definition.
Show steps
  • Choose a list of Latin words to include in your dictionary.
  • Look up the meaning of each word.
  • Write a clear and concise definition for each word.
  • Organize the words in alphabetical order.
  • Review your dictionary and make any necessary corrections.

Career center

Learners who complete Wheelock's Latin : Chapters 1-15 Lectures will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Translator
Translators convert written or spoken text from one language to another. Wheelock's Latin : Chapters 1-15 Lectures may be useful by teaching you how to read, write, and speak Latin. This will be essential for your work as a translator.
Interpreter
Interpreters translate spoken words from one language to another. Wheelock's Latin : Chapters 1-15 Lectures may be useful by teaching you how to read, write, and speak Latin. This will be essential for your work as a translator.
Professor
Professors teach and conduct research at colleges and universities. Wheelock's Latin : Chapters 1-15 Lectures may be helpful in giving you a solid foundation in Latin, which will make it easier for you to succeed in your studies.
Teacher
In your new role as a Teacher, you will likely spend a great deal of time educating, and conveying information to young students. Wheelock's Latin : Chapters 1-15 Lectures may be useful for in developing and practicing strong communication skills. You will likely use these skills when working on lesson plans, communicating with parents and guardians, and giving directions to students.
Archivist
Archivists are tasked with the preservation and organization of historical documents. Wheelock's Latin : Chapters 1-15 Lectures may be useful for in building a strong understanding of language—specifically Latin. That skill may come in handy when deciphering old texts found in archives.
Museum curator
Museum curators plan and organize museum exhibits and maintain collections. Wheelock's Latin : Chapters 1-15 Lectures may be helpful for you by helping you to build a foundation of classical language skills. This may help you if you work in a museum with artifacts from ancient Rome.
Editor
Editors review, correct, and improve written content. Wheelock's Latin : Chapters 1-15 Lectures may be useful for you in multiple ways. It will help you strengthen your reading comprehension skills. It will also teach you how to clearly and effectively communicate in writing.
Speechwriter
Speechwriters write speeches for politicians and other public figures. Wheelock's Latin : Chapters 1-15 Lectures may be useful by helping you to develop your writing skills and to learn how to effectively communicate your ideas to others. These are key skills for speechwriters, who must be able to write speeches that are both informative and engaging.
Lawyer
Lawyers advise and represent clients in legal matters. Wheelock's Latin : Chapters 1-15 Lectures may be useful to you by helping to build your communication skills, both written and verbal. This will be important for you when presenting arguments in court or negotiating with opposing counsel.
Historian
Historians research, analyze, interpret, and write about the past. Wheelock's Latin : Chapters 1-15 Lectures may be useful by helping you strengthen your analytical skills, and teaching you how to make deductions and interpretations based on what you read. These are necessary skills for a Historian.
Politician
Politicians make and enforce laws. Wheelock's Latin : Chapters 1-15 Lectures may be useful by teaching you how to effectively communicate your ideas to others, both verbally and in writing. This is a key skill for politicians, who must be able to persuade others to support their policies.
Writer
Writers create written content, such as books, articles, and scripts. Wheelock's Latin : Chapters 1-15 Lectures may be useful to you in various ways. Primarily, it will help you to improve your writing skills. It will also help you expand your vocabulary and strengthen your written communication skills.
Journalist
Journalists research, write, and report on news and current events for newspapers, magazines, and websites. Wheelock's Latin : Chapters 1-15 Lectures may be useful by teaching you how to clearly and concisely communicate your ideas in writing. It will also help you to develop and strengthen your critical thinking skills.
Librarian
Librarians help library users find books and other library materials. Wheelock's Latin : Chapters 1-15 Lectures may be helpful for you by improving your reading comprehension and helping you learn how to find and organize information. These are skills which would benefit you in a library setting.
Public Relations Specialist
Public relations specialists manage the public image of organizations and individuals. Wheelock's Latin : Chapters 1-15 Lectures may be helpful by teaching you how to clearly and effectively communicate your ideas in writing. This is a key skill for public relations specialists, who must be able to write press releases, speeches, and other materials.

Reading list

We've selected eight books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Wheelock's Latin : Chapters 1-15 Lectures.
This textbook is written entirely in Latin. It great resource for additional practice and exposure to the language. It is particularly good for students who are interested in learning to read Latin without translation.
This reference grammar great resource for students who want to learn more about the細かい rules of Latin grammar. It classic reference book that has been used by students for generations.
This textbook good choice for students who want to learn Latin from the beginning. It clear and concise introduction to the language.
Good choice for students who want to learn more about the history of the Latin language. It comprehensive and well-written book.
Good choice for students who want to learn more about the Latin language. It comprehensive and well-written book.
This website good resource for students who want to learn more about the ancient world. It includes a wide range of resources, including texts, images, and videos.

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