First, let me say how much I’ve enjoyed this site. It has encouraged me, at 60, to try my hand at learning Latin. What a fine resource!
Okay, I started out by dipping my toe in the water and downloading the Collar & Daniell text to see if I could handle Latin at all. I made a little progress, but found I needed more coaster wheels, so I’ve acquired Wheelock’s Latin, the Workbook, and the Companion.
I truly am a slow learner but I’m doing this for enjoyment only, so speed is not a primary issue. In terms of pace, however – those of you who teach Latin – is a chapter of Wheelock a week a fairly normal pace? Or would you consider that pretty slow?
I’m starting chapter 1 of Wheelock today and looking forward to this journey.
I truly am a slow learner but I’m doing this for enjoyment only, so speed is not a primary issue. In terms of pace, however – those of you who teach Latin – is a chapter of Wheelock a week a fairly normal pace? Or would you consider that pretty slow?
For the autodidact, regularity of study is probably more important than the pace. Make sure you do some study as often as possible - every day, even if only a little, is best - and you’ll do fine. If you only study once a week you’ll have problems regardless of the pace.
I am also passing my “use by” date, but I think it just calls for a different learning method. I don’t try to cram in too much information at once, as William says, just keep studying regularly. There are some advantages to being older - it is easier to follow through tasks and you have a lot of life experience to draw on.
Once you get hooked you will get a lot of pleasure from your studies.
Good luck with your studies and keep posting on Textkit!
Your pictures were great, I especially like ‘Manitas de Blanca’ for some reason, but then again I like books and cats, and good photography, so it makes sense.
is a chapter of Wheelock a week a fairly normal pace? Or would you consider that pretty slow?
One thing about being a self-learner (like myself) is that you can amend setting the pace at your discretion. I use several sources of learning like D’Ooge, Wheelock and the “Idoits Guide to Learning Latin”. I constantly pace and “re-pace” myself depending on what aspect of Latin I am learning. Right now I have been “camped” out on page 50 of D’Ooge learning the Demostrative Pronouns and Adjectives. In this case I study the exercises over and over until I understand the “concept”. Once I feel I am ready to press on…then I go to another “chapter”. Often, I will use both books, D’Ooge and Wheelock and compare the lessons. I am now in Chapter 4 and 5 learning masculine/neuter nouns and verb forms. I also do the exercises and learn from the mistakes. I then go back (sometimes repetition works for me) and do it again.
I try my very best not to bury myself too much. I would consider myself as going at a slower pace because I tend to go too fast and miss the “obvious”. I am in no rush, but at the same time I feel satisfied that I am learning something. So, in saying that I guess my slower pace is paying off. Some folks are faster, some are not. Good Luck!!
No! Oh my Velleium Paterculum! D’Ooge is the best it is free on textkit and includes reading matter of the labours of Hercules, and the truly awe inspiring account of the life of a Roman boy named Publius. D’Ooge prepares the Latin beginner for aided lecture of Caesar’s Gallic War, abundant in exercise practise, even English to Latin, there is no better way to start this wonderful language! Buy D’Ooge today and Episcopus won’t call you gay! trucking bargain like!
CharlesH, thanks for the note about the pace. I realize, now that I’ve started Wheelock, that some chapters are more challenging than others, so the pace will likely vary. I’m also dawdling a bit, at the beginning, getting a sense of my own workflow with the material.
