Dear Parents of Eighth Graders,
March 11, 2013
As Latin teacher at Newton South High School, I write to acquaint you with the
advantages of taking Latin for your son or daughter.
Studying Latin enriches any student’s education. Sixty per cent of English words
come from Latin; Latin students learn to understand and use a more complex and
interesting English vocabulary. As you probably know, vocabulary is the key
indicator of intelligence on any intelligence test.
Not surprisingly, Latin students’ SAT scores are much higher than those of students
of any other world language: 678 is the average SAT verbal score for Latin students,
compared with 509, the average for all SAT verbal scores.
English grammar is based on Latin grammar so Latin helps students become clearer
and more accurate in reading and writing English, as any Newton South English
teacher will tell you. Other world language teachers also find that learning other
languages is clearer to those who have studied Latin.
Latin students also develop greater familiarity with classical mythology and Roman
history through our readings. In addition, we regularly study Latin expressions we
use in English, like persona non grata (unwelcome guest), cum grano salis (with a
grain of salt) and alibi (in another place). As students accumulate these interesting,
apt expressions, they begin to pepper their talk—and their papers—with them.
Your daughter or son can begin or continue Latin at Newton South in the fall; even
if he or she will study another language, there’s room in the schedule for Latin, too. I
offer five years of Latin. Students master grammar and read short stories of Roman
history or mythology in the first years of Latin and continue with the poetry of
Catullus, Ovid and Vergil.
I hope you will discuss taking Latin with your son or daughter and consider together
continuing or adding Latin to his or her freshman curriculum. If you would like to
discuss this matter with me, please email me at alanckton@verizon.net or call me at
home at (617) 969-3899 on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Sunday
evening.
Thanks for considering this way to enrich the education of your soon-to-be high
school freshman!
Sincerely,
Alice Lanckton