Why "Should Kids Learn Latin?" is the Wrong Question
There is no better way to train the mind than classical education, and when it comes down to it, that’s what education is.
I agree with so much of what classical educators believe in👇
Teaching of Logic
Reading of Classics & the Great Books
Importance of History & Basic Sciences
Rigorous Study of Composition
The list goes on.
But, there is one tenet that I just can’t seem to get behind.
Many classical educators believe children MUST learn Latin.
Indeed, many believe that if my kids don’t learn Latin (or Greek seems acceptable), they aren’t being classically educated.
Don’t get me wrong, they make compelling arguments!
I asked this question on X this week, a post that was seen 36,000 times.
Can I stop for a second to tell you how much joy it gives me that 36,000 people thought about the best way to educate children this week?
I received 134 very thoughtful responses. When I posed the same question here on Substack,
took time out her very busy day to write not just a response but an entire post! I’m honored.
The most compelling arguments I received are as follows.
Linguistic Development & Grammar: Learning Latin deepens children’s understanding of English grammar increasing children’s capacity to understand older texts.
Connection to the Past: The ability to read, decipher, and understand ancient texts that inform and influence Western culture and politics is of significant value.
Vocabulary (especially law, medical, & theology): Much of western language around law and medicine have Latin (or Greek) roots; thus allowing children to be more easily learn law or medical terms.
2nd & 3rd Languages: As Latin is the base to many European languages, it opens the door to more easily learning many of the so-called Romance languages (e.g., Spanish, Italian)
Cognitive Development: Strengthens skills in logic, analysis, and structured thinking.
Intrinsic Value: The process of doing something unique and challenging builds strength of character, patience, and perseverance.
speaks beautifully of this in her essay HERE.Faith Traditions: If you are Christian, especially Catholic, learning Latin allows you to connect more deeply with your faith’s history.
Now, I could leave you with this list. It’s quite impressive, and it is clear that learning Latin is of substantial value!
But, I began by saying you’re asking the wrong question.
If the question is, “Is learning Latin a worthwhile pursuit?” The answer is a clear and emphatic, YES!
But if the question is, “How can I best deliver an education that meets the unique needs of my child?”
The answer is, a much less satisfying, “Maybe”
I could take the time to go through all the arguments above and point out that many of these same skills can be gained through other methods of instruction. For example, I could point out that learning other ancient languages would teach the many of the same skills. While we’re here, WHICH ancient language should one focus on? Greek, Latin, Sanskrit, Aramaic? Why not Cuneiform or Egyptian? The main argument to be made against a different language is learning the language of Western politics and law - which a course on etymology that teaches Greek and Latin root words could fix fairly easily.
If you are teaching children Latin, you are by necessity NOT teaching them something else.
So, the RIGHT question to ask is….
Is Latin more valuable than art history, psychology, formal logic, economics, architecture, fiances, government, philosophy, faith studies, and least we forget perhaps the most important goal of childhood - time to deeply explores their own unique interests and talents?
I can’t answer that question for you.
I can only tell you the path I plan to walk (knowing that I’m prone to changing my mind). My children will👇
Learn a living language (hopefully both an Eastern & Western language), currently working on Spanish. This allows for comparative grammatical study and if they learn languages from both the East and West this enhances their auditory ear allowing them to more easily learn any language as an adult.
Take etymology (study of Latin & Greek word roots) and advanced editorial grammar which both enhances vocabulary, helps with law and medical terminology, and reading comprehension.
Have their lives filled with extensive ancient English literature. This enhances their connection with the past and improves linguistic grammar.
Be exposed to the rich, historical tapestry of human ideas, great works, & enduring challenges woven across 1,000s of years. History is incredibly important and my children will know it deeply.
Take informal (middle school) and formal (high school) logic courses.
Learn the progymnamata which is the ancient Greek rhetoric exercises to teach them logical arguments. BONUS: it includes a TON of Latin phrases and teaches them the language of law as part of the curriculum.
Will be strongly encouraged to learn to decode an ancient language of their choosing including but not limited to Latin. Their father learned Sanskrit and helped him connect more deeply with his cultural and spiritual roots.
You might look at this list and say “wouldn’t teaching them Latin be easier?” It might very well be for you! But, I’m already doing these things with my children and would do all of them regardless.
If I can leave you with something concrete, it’s this. There are as many ways to educate children as there are children. Consider what’s most important to your child’s unique future.
What are the SKILLS that your children need to be successful in this world, and FIGHT to ensure they get them.
ClarifiEd is 100% supported by you - not ads, not grants- just you. By supporting me you also support 1,000s of other parents who read this newsletter.
As a Classical Conversations mom, I’ve been thinking about this very thing. I came to the same conclusion. It pains me to say it because I love so much about CC, but I may be done after Essentials. “If you are teaching children Latin, you are by necessity NOT teaching them something else.” So true, and CC dedicates an insane amount of time to Latin in the upper grades. Maybe it will be right for my daughter, but I know it’s not for my son. Thanks for your thoughts on this topic!
Excellent, balanced answer! Not that I'm any expert, Latin wasn't something public schools offered, way back when, at least until high school. I do wish I had gotten exposed to it, at least for a semester. But it would make better sense to start Latin instruction at an early age.
I did end up taking four years of French, plus a semester in college, which has proven completely worthless for conversing with French people, but has helped a lot in reading and vocabulary. So one of the major arguments against Latin, that it's a dead language, may not matter much, unless you replace it with Spanish, a language Americans actually do get frequent opportunities to practice.
An important point I think you're making, though it's subtle, is that there's a lot more to a classical education than just Latin. Emphasizing the trivium is without question worthwhile, because it's so important to be able to think and then communicate. Mathematics is also essential; the rest of the quadrivium perhaps less so.
In our homeschool we put a great emphasis on reading, writing, math, and just developing a curiosity to keep learning. There are many other valuable subjects for which, like Latin, a strong argument can be made for teaching. But I would agree, regarding these secondary subjects, that it is a matter of making tradeoffs based on the teacher's available time and the student's particular aptitude or needs. There are only so many hours in the day!