{TOS Crew Review} Visual Latin

Many consider Latin a dead language. Not so. Dwane Thomas is a homeschool Dad who has taught Latin for quite a few years. Along with another homeschooling father, they created Visual Latin. Unlike what many think about Latin, Mr. Thomas makes Latin fun and full of laughter.

But instead of me explaining it all, let's just let Mr. Thomas do that for me. Check out this short video.

Visual Latin | A Quick Explanation from Compass Cinema on Vimeo.

Mr. Thomas breaks down learning into there small parts. Each lesson is designed the same way.  A short video on grammar is watched and then a one page worksheet is completed to reinforce the learning.

Visual Latin | Grammar from Compass Cinema on Vimeo.

The same process is repeated with sentences.  The grammar that has just been taught is put in to practice in the sentence lesson. Once again, a one page worksheet is completed.

Visual Latin | Sentences from Compass Cinema on Vimeo.

Finally, Mr. Thomas does a reading in Latin. Your child works on translating the passage. Sounds too easy? It really is just that simple.

Visual Latin | Reading from Compass Cinema on Vimeo.

What I Liked:
Visual Latin is presented in short lessons. Mr. Thomas is funny and this works well to keep my boys attention. He presents the language in such a way as to make it non-intimidating either for my boys or for me. And it's super easy to use. I don't have to teach anything. I simply need to have the worksheets ready for the kids to do and make sure our lessons are downloaded and ready to go. I really liked that there was no pricey workbook to purchase to go along with lessons. I love that easily printable worksheets are included.

The lesson videos I embedded above are part of the six free lessons that Visual Latin gives to anyone who wants to try it out. There are four short introductory lessons and two full lessons - including the one I added here.

I really enjoyed the way that Latin was taught in this program. My plan is to finish up the 10 lessons I was given as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew and then I will be looking to purchase the remaining lessons for Latin 1.

The Nuts & Bolts:
Visual Latin can be purchased one of two ways. The first is as a download (which is how I chose to use it). When purchased as a download you buy 10 lessons at a time for $25 each. As there are 30 lessons total in Latin 1, this would be $75 for the whole course as a download. It is also available on DVD (and some TOS Crew members did review it this way) and can be purchased either the same way (10 lessons at a time) for $30 per DVD or as a complete set for $80.

The program is designed for children ages 9 and up. I had my two oldest boys work on this - ages 10 & 15 - and they did very well. I also really enjoyed the lessons.

The complete Latin 1 curriculum is completed and available for purchase now. The first ten lessons for Latin 2 are also available with a projected completion date of 2012.

You can see a complete scope and sequence of what is included in the 30  lessons by going to their "All the Specs in One Place" spot on the Visual Latin website and scrolling part-way down the page.

Be sure to head over to the TOS Homeschool Crew blog to see what other Crew members had to say about this product.

 

Disclaimer: I was not paid for this review.  All opinions shared are my own. TOS Crew Members are given the product free of charge in exchange for our unbiased opinion of the product.