Which Latin textbook should you use?
updated 9/5/2021
Introduction
The three Latin textbooks that I will be discussing in this post are:
- Wheelock's Latin
- Henle's Latin Series
- Lingua Latina Per Se Illustrata
Wheelock's Latin
Wheelock's Latin is currently the most popular Latin Textbook and can easily be obtained at several bookstores. This was the first Latin book that I purchased and the one that got me started with Latin. Some positives of the book are:
- It includes lots of pictures, historical information, cultural information, etc.
- There are lots of excerpts from authentin Roman texts.
- It is a complete Latin grammar in one volume.
- The exercises at the end of each chapter are very difficult for beginners
- The information doesn't stick in your head as much as other methods
- The jump from just starting Latin to reading complex texts is rather steep
Henle's Latin Series
Henle's Latin are the best Latin books that I have ever used. They are old Catholic high school books, but they drill Latin grammar and vocabulary into your head in a way that I have not seen in any other textbook. Some positives of the book are:
- New grammar concepts are introducedin a very systematic way.
- The exercises only incorporates vocabulary that you have already learned and slowly introduces more.
- By the end, you will be fluent in reading Latin!
- The books are very inexpensive.
- The series is five volumes (but you only really need two to get started).
- Many people will not like the heavy Catholic doctrine included.
Lingua Latina Per Se Illustrata
Lingua Latina Per Se Illustrata (The Latin language taught through itself) is unique because it is written entirely in Latin cover to cover. The Latin starts out so easy that anyone who knows any European language can read it. The Latin gets progressively more dificult as new words are slowly introduced. New words are often introduced using pictures so there is no need for any English in the whole book. The storyline follows the life of a Roman family and does a good job painting a picture what life was like back then. Some positives of the book are:
- The storyline is relatively interesting and brings you into the world of ancient Rome.
- It is the best way to 'immerse' yourself in the Latin language.
- It is very encouraging because you can start reading Latin from the get-go.
- It is much more entertaining than reading grammar books.
- Some concepts of Latin grammar simply require an explanation in English even though this book does the best it can to teach with no English.
- The Latin level sometimes progresses faster than the student. When learning Latin, I found myself needing to re-read some chapters over and over again.
- It shouldn't be the only Latin textbook you have: you should use a grammar book and a Latin dictionary along with it.