I’m currently working through Wheelock’s Latin Grammar : Revised 6th edition and I am learning a lot. But this book is just an introduction to Latin, and I won’t be able to read/write Latin fluently after studying this book. What should I do after Wheelock’s Latin? Is there any other good book out there that can serve as a follow up to Wheelock’s?
Here’s are some things I did after finishing Wheelock’s that I recommend, (not necessarily in this order):
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I read Lingua Latina by Hans Orberg: all of volume 1 and about a third of volume 2. Volume 1 will be very easy for you grammatically, but you’ll be surprised to pick up on a lot of things that you missed/forgot. The fact that you’ve covered your grammar concepts means that you’ll be comprehending almost everything naturally and easily, which in turn will teach you lots and lots of words in context. Most importantly, you’ll learn to read rather than decode Latin. Volume 2 will be more difficult but you’ll quickly build up to reading organic and difficult Latin in a variety of styles.
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I read selections of Hans Orberg’s edition of Caesar’s commentaries on the Gallic Wars. This is what I did in a second year class immediately after finishing Wheelock. Orberg’s helpful notes explaining vocabulary and grammar (all done via Latin itself) will become your best friend, for you’ll find your post-Wheelock vocabulary is very weak. Caesar is gentle and interesting.
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I read selections of Vergil and Ovid in the second half of my second year. I found this very difficult and an uphill battle after only having read Wheelock and some Caesar; this was with a professor as a guide, too. If poetry interests you go for it. Otherwise, I don’t recommend tackling poetry until you’re comfortable with basic prose.
At the least, try to read through Lingua Latina vol. 1, for it will facilitate your transition from grammar to text.
Great! Thanks for the advice : 