Customer Reviews

Latin Now! 8.0

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

LanguageNow!'s total immersion technique, in a very attractive format, gets you going immediately. From the beginning, you are presented with short sentences from one of several simple narratives. The English translation is below. You read the Latin and simultaneously listen to it, and repeat it back with the included microphone. (I like my own Bestbuy earphone/mike set). You can do this with the whole phrase, or one word at a time, over and over if necessary, and there is a slow-it-down feature which I always use, 'cause I'm slow. There are "Pronunciation Meters" you can use to visually analyze your speech patten compared to the speaker in the program. There is grammar information down in the corner if desired, and ganes and other features too numerous to discuss here. The heart of the matter is: if you do this reading-and-hearing-and-saying for 15 minutes a day, as recommended, you CANNOT HELP but begin to absorb the language. You will begin to recognize words and phrases, and experience that indescribable pleasure in the feel of the language rolling off your tongue. You will also begin to see how much of English (65%, the experts say), comes from Latin. Note - this is the Classical Latin of Caesar's time. It differs in pronunciation from Ecclesiastical, or Church Latin, but the reading part is all the same. Included in the Deluxe Edition is another CD with 200 pages of grammar and a 100-language word processor (which you don't need for Latin). LatinNow! does NOT include the traditional conjugation or declension drills so loved by your old teacher, but there are enough of these on the 'Net, free, to keep you busy for the rest of your life. This program does its part. All it requires from you is a few bucks, a small committment of time, and that essential ingredient, the "I'm going to learn this".

Though this program may help you memorize common Latin phases, it fails to help develop basic skills that are needed in learning Latin. The program is not designed to build vocabulary, nor does it enhance ones understanding of the grammar. If anything it confused me. The graphics and visual experience is well done, but this is not a Latin Course. Though the Wheelocks Textbook has been very helpful as a beginner's Textbook.

I was very disappointed with this programme. It is one of the worst language programmes I have ever seen.

I have studied Latin before and know many words and the basic grammar, but even I found it difficult to cope with the total immersion approach. The descriptions of the grammar were completely inadequate.

This course would be very little use to beginners or advanced learners; and only a moderate help to intermediate students of Latin.

I bought this software in the hope of getting an interactive start with Latin. Instead the tutorial jumps straight into a complicated text without laying down any basics. Perhaps it might be more useful to advanced students but I got nothing out of it.

As a teacher, I was pleased to see an easy to use format that teaches inductively. It also has the added bonus of including the first book of Cambridge Latin which is widely used in high schools. Would be very helpful to a new Latin student.

Thias game is a lot of fun!! The cross-word puzzles are really fun!!! Whar ever you pay for this game is really worth it!! My only complaint is the game is a little bit slow.

this helps alot. it gives you more latin then you will ever need. it is neat talking in latin to friends since people around dont know what your saying. it is neat learning the language of ancient romans and the catholic church. you should reall y buy this. it is excellent!