This Latin course, taught live by a real teacher in an online web conferencing classroom, is an excellent choice for homeschoolers (classical or otherwise), people studying in an academic setting where Latin is not offered, people who do not have access to a Latin course where they live, or those for whom the online classroom is more convenient. This Latin course is rigorous and results-oriented, but at the same time there is a built-in flexibility. The live online format makes it possible for those who would not otherwise have the opportunity, to learn Latin, an interesting and highly useful language. The Carmenta Latin School course provides the opportunity for live interaction with the instructor and the other students along with the benefit of the imposed discipline provided by a live teacher, with the accompanying homework and rigid schedule, but in a more convenient online format.

The Carmenta Online Latin School is distinguished from other online Latin courses by its being identical, in every important way, to a very good non-online Latin course. It meets three times a week, each class period running one full hour (the minimum number of sessions necessary, I feel, to allow most students to excel, and the most "live" class time offered by any online Latin or Ancient Greek course) Plus, Carmenta comes as close as possible on the internet to replicating the traditional face-to-face classroom environment through real-time audio web conferencing. The instructor and every student are able to hear and speak to every other person in the Web classroom simultaneously.

This course focuses on the grammar, basic vocabulary, and idiom of the Latin language. Students are taught through frequent repetition of vocabulary and forms as well as daily translation of contrived sentences and, in time, historical texts. They are also gradually introduced to spoken Latin, and by the second semester Latin conversation is an important part of the class. The structure of the course allows the student to gradually gain facility in translation and the speaking of the language while attaining a greater and greater knowledge of Latin grammatical rules and vocabulary and their relationship to English words and usage.

To the best of my knowledge there is no other internet Latin course that allows this level of structure, thoroughness, and essential instructor-with-student and student-with-student live classroom contact at a reasonable, learnable pace. If you are unable to take a Latin class in a physical classroom, or you just like the convenience of this type of online course, I truly feel that this is your best bet.

Carmenta is now also offering an Ancient Greek course, equivalent to the Latin courses in both quality and total class time. As with the Latin courses, the Carmenta Ancient Greek course is constructed with the sole purpose of teaching each student the Ancient Greek language. This Greek course is great for both children and adults, and equivalent to a good high-school or college-level Ancient Greek course. Click here for more information on Carmenta Online Ancient Greek Classes.

Looking for a way to offer a high-quality and inexpensive Latin or Ancient Greek course through your school? Carmenta Online can be an excellent option for public, private, charter, and parochial schools. Click Here to learn more about Carmenta and Your School.

The Carmenta Online Latin School offers four distinct courses:

1) Carmenta Latin (for students ages 11 and up): The Carmenta Latin course is divided into Upper and Lower Division. In Lower Division Latin (Latin I-V) students work from the Wheelock's Latin textbook, learning grammar, translation, and conversation. Then, in the Upper Division classes, students move on to reading various ancient, medieval, and modern Latin texts. Upper Division classes are devoted primarily to conversation in the Latin language, reading of assigned Latin texts, and discussion of those texts.

2) Carmenta Ancient Greek (for students ages 11 and up): The Ancient Greek course is divided into Upper and Lower Division. In Lower Division Ancient Greek classes (Ancient Greek I-V) students work from Hansen and Quinn’s Greek: An Intensive Course, learning grammar, translation, and conversation. In Upper Division Ancient Greek, students read a variety of works from Ancient Greek literature. Upper Division classes are devoted primarily to conversation in the Ancient Greek language, the reading of assigned Ancient Greek texts, and the discussion of those texts. Click here for more information on Carmenta Online Ancient Greek Classes.

3) Carmenta Latin Fundamentals (for students ages 8-13): This course, which also uses the Wheelock's Latin text, but moves at a slower pace than the regular Carmenta Latin course, covers introductory Latin grammar and translation, and is perfect for students who aren't quite yet ready to go into the regular Carmenta Latin course.

4) Carmenta Latin Junior (for students ages 5-10): This course, crafted specifically for very young students, introduces young children to basic Latin and English grammar, as well as the construction and translation of simple Latin sentences. This introductory course builds young students' language skills, preparing them for more advanced Latin and English language work.

"I had spent about two years reading various Latin grammars and fumbling around the Latin forums and materials on the Internet, and found myself none the wiser....I decided to take Latin courses with Carmenta because as a full-time employee, my schedule wouldn't allow a traditional university-based course, even if there were a university nearby which offered Latin. Also, Carmenta offered real-time classes with real student-teacher interaction at a great price. I took Latin I, and I was impressed with teacher Andrew's expertise, friendliness, humor, and teaching ability. Since then I have taken all the courses up to Latin VII at Carmenta, and have walked away with a great understanding of Latin as well as the ability to converse in Latin. I would recommend Carmenta to anyone in school or not."

Robert
Software Architect
San Jose, CA, USA


“The Carmenta Online Latin course has been awesome. I've completed the Latin I coursework and I have to say that I can already see the results in my everyday life: I have a better grasp of the English language now and my vocabulary is broader. Andrew is a great instructor, very competent and helpful. And on top of that he has a great sense of humor! I think my favorite part of the course has been the vocabulary. Andrew makes learning the vocabulary fun and easy by showing us the connection between the words and their English derivatives. I would recommend this course to anyone who is interested in learning Latin.”

Jimmy
University Student
Arizona, USA


“I need no urging to express my delight in my Latin-learning experience with Mr. Kuhry-Haeuser (Andrew) and Carmenta Online Latin Classroom. Having begun my pursuit of Latin with Classical Latin through a university using the more common online approach, which equates to a glorified independent study program, I am very glad I switched to Medieval/Ecclesiastical Latin AND, in particular, to Carmenta’s online format. My motives for learning Latin are several: to breach the historical-educational gap in my own education; to deepen my effectiveness with my students as a private instructor of English to international students in Hong Kong; and to prepare for homeschooling my two daughters using classical curriculum. My situation necessitates a teacher who has the breadth of knowledge and range of teaching ability to discuss the deeper, finer points of grammar and the philosophical-cultural underpinnings of the language, to elaborate on the interaction between Latin and English grammar and vocabulary with regard to Latin’s enormous effect on English, and to address the elementary process of learning Latin appropriate for young beginners. Andrew does all of the above exceptionally well, personably and with style and grace. Beyond the above—What more could one want?—is the crucial encouragement and empowerment that come from the regular, live, face-to-face format Carmenta uses. I feel less alone in the endeavor to plumb this ancient language than if I were in a real classroom: Andrew feels to be in my home. In him one quickly senses an organic and lively love for languages in general and for Latin in particular. His delight overflows when he sees kindled in his students a desire for learning and an emerging grasp of the subject matter. Any adult seeking to learn Latin will find in Carmenta Online Latin Classroom the expertise and the encouragement required to master Latin, and any parents seeking to classically educate their children in Latin will breathe a sigh of relief.”

Scott
Private Instructor, English as a Second Language
Hong Kong


“I took Latin because I hoped it would help me to understand the English language better and so that in the future it will be a good springboard for my learning Spanish.  I also was fascinated by the oldness of it and its relationship with all the modern Romance languages. Before I began the course I was a little concerned that learning Latin might be too difficult and that I wouldn't be able to handle it, but it has turned out to be far easier than I thought.  Andrew is an exceptional teacher and always very patient, and while he knows the text well, he is never afraid to veer from it when he feels he needs to.”

Hilary
Junior High School Teacher
Arizona, USA


“I like the structure of the course: it is slow and deliberate but it is thorough. I think its thoroughness is its best asset. Besides, I like the Wheelock’s Latin books very much. I like the review of homework from the Textbook at each lesson…because it allows me to take notes and improve on the next set of homework….I like my Latin I class…because: 1) It is good; 2) I enjoy the slow deliberate pace; 3) I do not need to go to the University, and thereby avoiding fees, gas and parking, and hence spending more time working on the subject; 4) I enjoy the night (8-9 PM) schedule because I can still work and take the course.”

Henri
French Language Teacher
New Jersey, USA


“I took the Carmenta Latin I course in the summer of 2012. The content was very helpful and provided an excellent foundation for further studies in Ecclesiastical Latin. The pace of the course was perfect for individuals who did not have any Latin background. The professor was patient, and excellent at explaining concepts and theory specific to the language. Class timing options on-line make this a great way to study/learn. I could easily accommodate this into my work schedule. I would highly recommend the program to others who are interested in learning Latin (or any other language).”

Bonnie
Member of the Catholic Congregation of St. Joseph
Ontario, Canada


One young student in the "Carmenta Latin Junior" course decided to write her testimonial in Latin.
(Translation in brackets):

"Salve, mi amici. Nomen mihi est Louisa. Sum six years old, et vixi in Hong Kong all my life. Mea mater est Filipina femina. Meus Pater est Americanus vir. Habeo two sorores parvas, Christinam et Rosemariam. Sumus homeschooled. Andreus docuisti Patri Latinam. Andreus nunc docet mihi Latinam. Est fuit meus magister Latinae for three months. Fui discipula Latinae for 3 months. Andreus est magister bonus Latinae, et est funny. Est docuit mihi multam. Ego amo Latinam! Vale!"

["Hello, my friends! My name is Louisa. I am six years old, and I have lived in Hong Kong all my life. My mother is a Filipina. My father is an American. I have two younger sisters, Christina and Rosemary. We are homeschooled. Andrew taught Latin to my father; Andrew now teaches Latin to me. He has been my Latin teacher for three months; I have been a student of Latin for three months. Andrew is a good teacher of Latin, and he is funny. He has taught me much. I love Latin! Goodbye!"]

Louisa
Homeschool Student
Hong Kong



If you have any questions or comments concerning the course, please do not hesitate to contact me at instructor@carmentalatin.com. You can also visit the Carmenta Online Latin School Contact page.