Latin: Dead of Dormant? The purpose of Latin in a Modern Classical Homeschool

When I first began researching Latin for our Charlotte Mason homeschool my husband posed a question to me, “Why would we spend time teaching a dead language?” It’s a reasonable question. Time is a precious commodity and if you’re abiding by a classical or Charlotte Mason method of education, you’re managing a lot of lessons. Charlotte was an advocate for learning Latin, particularly emphasizing that Latin is a tool in which to teach grit and resilience. She also believed in making Latin approachable for the learners of her age, rather than focusing on a method of of kill and drill.

…whether through printed translations or through the text itself rendered in the sort of running translation which some masters know how to give….But his [the “average” boy’s] limitations would be recognized, and he would not be required to turn out Greek and Latin verse (v.6, p.312).

If you’re a homeschool mom steeped in the classical or Charlotte Mason world, you’ve likely asked yourself the question my husband asked me: Isn’t Latin a dead language? The answer often depends on whom you ask. Some may see Latin as a beautiful connection to history, a language locked away in ancient texts and church liturgy. Others see it as a foundational tool that supports clear thinking, precise expression, and a richer understanding of English and Romance languages. So, is Latin dead or just dormant, waiting for a revival in our homeschools?

In order for me to answer my husband appropriately, I needed to understand why learning latin would pose any benefit to my 4th grader (at the time). He’s a “don’t trust, verify” kind of guy, so when I began researching, I wanted to have a good answer for him.

Let’s explore both the benefits and drawbacks of teaching Latin and see how even adding a small amount of Latin can enrich our homes.

The Benefits of Teaching Latin

1. Building Language Skills and Vocabulary Latin may not be a spoken language, but its fingerprints are all over modern English and many other languages. Roughly 60% of English words come from Latin roots, making Latin study a powerful vocabulary booster. By learning Latin, children develop a greater understanding of English grammar, enabling them to write and speak with more precision.

   Charlotte Mason herself had a lot to say about the importance of clear and expressive language. She believed, “The child who has been trained to find interest and exercise in the parsing and construing of sentences…gets an insight into the order of words, and can put his thoughts in better shape.”

2. Developing Logical Thinking Latin, has complex grammar and syntax, which requires children to think logically and analytically. Learning how to conjugate verbs, decline nouns, and match cases forces a mental discipline that’s beneficial across subjects. Latin demands careful, deliberate thinking—skills that translate directly into math, science, and even reading and writing comprehension.

3. Understanding Western Civilization and Culture Latin opens up access to ancient literature, philosophy, and foundational texts in the original language, giving students a direct line to thinkers like Cicero, Virgil, and Augustine. Reading these works in Latin, even if only at an elementary level, connects students to the roots of Western culture and thought, an aspect the classical education model prizes deeply. While this is a standard to which many of our children may never reach, it’s a worthy goal.

4. Building Confidence and Perseverance Latin is a challenging language to learn, and that’s part of its charm. Successfully working through Latin conjugations, declensions, and translations can give children a sense of accomplishment that spills over into other areas of study. This learning experience fosters resilience and patience—valuable traits in any pursuit. Mason may have been onto something in her thoughts that learning Latin develops resilience, don’t you think?

The Cons of Teaching Latin

1. It’s Time-Consuming Latin isn’t something you can pick up quickly. It requires a commitment to regular study and a willingness to work through difficulties. Many homeschool families already feel stretched thin, and adding Latin may feel like one too many balls go juggle.

2. Lack of Practical Use in Everyday Life Latin is, after all, a “dead” language, meaning it isn’t spoken in daily conversation (at least, not outside very specific settings). Because it’s not immediately practical, Latin can sometimes feel like an added burden, especially if your family’s focus is on languages that are used conversationally today, like Spanish or French.

3. It Can Be Expensive Latin curriculum can be more expensive than other language programs, and unless you have a Latin background, it can also be harder to teach. Many parents find themselves needing additional resources or online classes, which can increase costs and preparation time. I’ll be sharing a new resource we’re using that I feel equips me in teaching Latin well.

How Latin Can Be Used Today?

Latin may not have an immediate place in daily conversation, but it’s still isn't completely forgotton. Legal terms, medical language, and scientific classification rely heavily on Latin, so children interested in law, medicine, or science will find themselves encountering it down the road. In one of our science lessons on animal classification, my daughter was excited to see that latin is the way plants, animals, bacteria, and other organisms are classified. Latin also provides students with an ability to tackle complex, ancient texts, or even understand modern mottos, like E Pluribus Unum (Out of Many, One) or Carpe Diem (Seize the Day).

Latin also offers a “gateway” to learning other Romance languages like Spanish, French, or Italian. Many homeschool families who work with Latin find that their children transition more easily into other modern languages. This must be one of the reasons why Charlotte Mason advocated for 2 modern language streams as well as Latin. Which, if I’m being honest, we have not done successfully.

Should You Add Latin To Your Home?

Well, that really depends on what you believe your child may need, and their potential interests in the future. My daughter has consistently discussed having a future career in science, so Latin is a good choice for her right now. Charlotte Mason was a proponent of teaching Latin, even to young children, as part of a broad, nourishing curriculum. She believed that exposure to languages was a natural extension of her vision to build “large rooms” in a child’s mind, filled with “all that they should know.” Mason wrote,

“The learning of Latin should go on concurrently with other studies…to have a child in touch with something in all the domains of knowledge,” showing her conviction that Latin was more than an academic subject but a mental and cultural enrichment.

There is the issue of time. With homeschooling and running a household, who has the time to include an ancient language? A once-a-week Latin lesson or a few minutes spent translating Latin roots of vocabulary words can expose children to the discipline of a classical language without overwhelming your schedule. Simple steps, like learning a Latin motto through copywork, can bring the language to life and connect your family to the centuries when Latin was used. Sometimes maintaining the goal of exposure to the subject and not fluency gives grace to explore a new subject without pressure.

So, is Latin dead language like my husband asked? It may not be the common language of churches and communities anymore, and you’d be hard fetched to find modern books translated into this ancient format, but it’s hardly dead. Latin is alive in the pages of history, woven into our language, and waiting to be discovered by homeschoolers who want to bring a bit of classical learning into their homes.

We’ve wrapped up 18 months of Latin study in our home and I’m excited to move my 10 year old further into the language. Over the next several weeks I’ll be sharing a new curriculum I’m using from the Paideia Institute called Elementa Latin. I know this is going to be an excellent fit for her Latin education.

If you just can’t wait for me to do the full breakdown on Elementa Latin and want to jump right in, please use the code littleworldwanderers10 for a discount.