Andrew Morehouse, Ilse van Rooyan, and Claire Mieher from Latinitas Animi Causa discuss the current state of Latin, its use in modern settings, and the impact of social media on the language's revival. They also explore the teaching of Latin in South African schools and share their experiences studying and teaching the language. The speakers discuss different language learning methods, including the importance of repetition and exposure. They also touch on maintaining accuracy in Latin translation, appreciate Seneca's letters, and discuss the challenges of online teaching.
Using spoken Latin in everyday life has helped rejuvenate the language over the last ten years.
Creating a positive and welcoming classroom environment is crucial for students learning Latin.
Speaking Latin helps students connect with the language on a deeper level and develop comprehension skills.
Building confidence is essential for slower language learners to overcome self-comparison and feelings of inadequacy.
Increased reading and practice are crucial for weaker language learners to notice and produce language details effectively.
Deep dives
Teaching Latin and Ancient Greek through Comprehensible Input
In this podcast episode, Andrew Morehouse, Ilse Van Rien, and Claire Mayer discuss their work as part of the teaching team at Latina Tas, Anime Kowsa, which offers Latin and ancient Greek classes online. They emphasize the importance of using comprehensible input methods in language teaching and share their experiences of teaching Latin and ancient Greek to students. The speakers highlight the joy and motivation that students experience when learning through spoken Latin and discuss how these methods enable students to comprehend and internalize the language more effectively.
Creating a Welcoming and Supportive Classroom Community
The podcast episode emphasizes the importance of creating a positive and welcoming classroom environment for students. The teachers share anecdotes about their students' enthusiasm and dedication to learning Latin and ancient Greek. They highlight the benefits of fostering a sense of joy and community in the classroom, which motivates students to actively participate and engage in the language learning process.
The Relevance and Impact of Spoken Latin
The podcast episode explores the ongoing relevance and impact of spoken Latin. The teachers discuss how speaking Latin allows students to connect with the language on a deeper level and gain a better understanding of its nuances. They emphasize that speaking Latin helps students develop their comprehension skills and create meaningful interactions in the language. The episode also highlights the importance of incorporating real-life contexts and meaningful communication in Latin courses to enhance student engagement and language acquisition.
The Importance of Building Confidence in Language Learners
One of the biggest difficulties for slower language learners is confidence. Students who are slower to acquire a language often struggle with self-comparison and feelings of inadequacy. It is essential to create a positive and supportive classroom environment to boost their confidence. Building a strong sense of community and focusing on social-emotional learning can help these students feel more comfortable and willing to take risks in their language learning journey.
Challenges in Noticing and Producing Language Details
Weaker language learners often struggle with noticing and producing language details, particularly in an inflected language. This difficulty stems from a lack of exposure and practice with the language. Students who have not spent enough time reading or have not had enough exposure to the language may struggle with seeing the slight changes or nuances in the language. Practice and increased reading can help them develop the ability to notice and produce these language details more effectively.
Transitioning from Grammar Translation to a Different Language Learning Method
Students who have previously learned through a grammar translation method may find it challenging to transition to a different language learning method. This shift can take time for students to adjust and understand the new approach. Some students may struggle with the change in emphasis from memorizing grammar rules to focusing on reading, speaking, and listening comprehension. However, with proper guidance and support, students can adapt and benefit from the new language learning method.
The Importance of Input and Listening
The podcast episode discusses the importance of input and listening in language learning. The speakers emphasize the value of reading Latin extensively, whether it is contemporary content like Lingua Latina or classical texts like Plautus or Cicero. They also mention the Legantepos app, which provides Latin audiobooks and follow-along texts for additional listening practice. The speakers highlight the benefits of repeated exposure to Latin texts, even if they are already familiar, as it helps solidify grammatical structures and deepen understanding.
Balancing Purity and Neologisms
The podcast episode touches upon the issue of language purity and the use of neologisms in the spoken Latin community. The speakers note that they strive to be accurate in the Latin they speak and utilize words and phrases from ancient sources whenever possible. They discuss the challenges of finding appropriate words for modern concepts that didn't exist in Ancient Rome, like plastic. They also mention the importance of repurposing ancient terms, using them to describe new ideas or objects. However, they acknowledge that making a few mistakes in speaking Latin doesn't have a detrimental impact on language acquisition.
The Joy of Reading and Teaching Latin and Greek
The podcast episode features a discussion between Andrew, Elsa, and Claire about their love for reading and teaching Latin and Greek. They express their passion for diving into classical texts and exploring different authors and genres. From reading Cicero's letters to admiring Ovid's artful poetry, they discuss their favorite authors and highlight the joy of discovering new works. They also talk about their experiences with PhD preparation, Latin fluency, and their future aspirations in the field. Overall, the episode provides insights into their deep connection to the classical languages and their dedication to sharing that love with others.
Challenges and Goals for the Future
The podcast episode delves into the challenges and goals faced by Andrew, Elsa, and Claire in their academic journeys. They discuss the limited availability of tenure-track positions in classics and the changes in Latin programs at various universities. Despite these challenges, they express their desire to continue teaching and researching in the field. They also share their aspirations for future projects, such as creating immersive Latin programs and developing Latin content for different media platforms. The episode highlights their commitment to promoting Latin and Greek language education and their enthusiasm for exploring innovative approaches in the field.
Calling in from around the USA, this episode features a trio who are sparking life in what many would consider to be a dead language.
Andrew Morehouse, Ilse van Rooyan, and Claire Mieher make up part of the team that run Latinitas Animi Causa, a website and social media channel that uses spoken Latin for everyday things. They teach, learn and use spoken Latin in their podcasts and live streams, often while playing video games!
This episode features discussions about the current state of Latin as a language, how the LAC team approaches the use of Latin (particularly in modern usage), and how the language has seen a bit of a rejuvenation over the last ten years as social media and internet technology has made things a lot easier to communicate. We even discuss whether or not English can be considered a "lingua franca", a question that I've been talking about for a while.
You can find LAC on their website for their course offerings and links to their podcast and gaming streams. You can find Claire there as well or on her website, also listed below:
