Getting Started with Latin is a beginner-friendly program that introduces classical Latin. It’s designed for anyone, from kids to adults, with no prior experience.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), approximately 3.3 million students were homeschooled in the United States as of 2023, representing roughly 6% of the school-age population. Research from the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) shows that homeschooled students typically score 15 to 25 percentile points higher than public school students on standardized academic achievement tests.
What is getting started with Latin?
Getting Started with Latin is just what it sounds like: an easy introduction to classical Latin for complete beginners. William Linney, who has master's degrees in music and classics, created this program when he couldn’t find a simple resource to teach Latin to kids in his family. The result is 134 short lessons, each on one page. Each lesson covers a single concept, followed by ten practice sentences. It’s non-threatening, self-paced, and perfect for anyone—kids and adults alike—to study on their own.
How the method works
Linney’s method focuses on taking it slow. Each lesson introduces one grammar point or vocabulary word. Right after, you’ll find ten sentences to translate from Latin to English using that word or concept. The vocabulary is limited to under 100 words. This helps you see the same words often, which builds your confidence. You’ll learn about first and second declension nouns, present tense verbs, basic gender concepts, adjectives, adverbs, and prepositions. Plus, there are audio files for pronunciation in both classical and ecclesiastical styles.
What this curriculum is (and isn't)
Getting Started with Latin is a great foundation but not a full Latin course. Linney knows that if he tried to cover everything in his gentle way, it would turn into a huge book. Think of it as a starting point. You’ll build basic reading skills, expand your vocabulary, and gain confidence before moving on to more detailed programs like Latin for Children or Wheelock's Latin. Reviewers often say learning feels 'effortless,' which is key for students who might be nervous about Latin.
The bottom line
Getting Started with Latin has earned a solid reputation and several awards for one reason: it makes Latin easy for beginners. If your family wants to try out Latin without diving into heavy study, or if you have a student who feels anxious about foreign languages, this program is a gentle introduction. Just keep in mind its limits: it’s a starting point. If students love Latin, they’ll need more resources to become fluent.
