i'm a freshman in high school, in the honors program, and i'm taking latin as my foreign language. i have the option of continuing latin for the next two years, or switching to a new language for the next three, and i'm having a tough time deciding. i've heard that taking latin helps you on the vocabulary portion of the SAT exam, but i've also heard that taking latin is a complete waste of time and that taking a modern language can better help you in the real world when getting a job after you graduate. i don't plan on getting a job that involves me speaking a different langauge, so i'm on the fence. any advice?
2007-02-12 05:13:16 · 12 answers · asked by calypsa 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Primary & Secondary Education
Latin and Greek are both very important languages. You will find many prefixes and suffixes are derived from Latin, so it will help with word recognition.
2007-02-12 05:16:43 · answer #1 · answered by Philip Kiriakis 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I tutored students for the SAT for over 15 years and I found that those who memorized Latin/Greek prefixes, roots and suffixes instead of the interminable word lists, did significantly better. An added not-surprising bonus was that they did significantly better in their other school studies. The reason for this was, that no matter how many words you memorize there will always be more that you don't understand. However, having the tools to at least try to figure out a new word will always be at your disposal,whether in exams or daily life, unlike a dictionary. What I don't understand though, is why so many people think that Latin is a dead language. YES, no one speaks it anymore, but it is the foundation language of virtually all sciences and all romance languages like Italian, Spanish, French, English. I speak 6 languages and my advice to you would be to learn the above on your own (if you are highly motivated) and pick up a modern language for the future. My first pick of these would be French, followed by Spanish. Good luck in your studies.
2007-02-12 05:46:57 · answer #2 · answered by Just Me 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's not necessarily Latin which will help you on your SATs, but the mastery of language skills, and the ability to recognize similarities between languages, which are often due to similar historical language structure (coming from Latin).
In short, you could accomplish the same things by A) learning a dead language B) cramming vocabulary words for your SAT test and paying attention in English class or C) taking French and/or German.
I studied several languages in high school and in college, and my conclusion was that other than for admission into college, Latin was an utter waste of time.
2007-02-12 06:28:29 · answer #3 · answered by Kilroy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
YES! Not including a few years in grade/middle school, this is my 3rd year of Latin in high school. I took the SAT this year and there were in fact a few words I recognized due to Latin words. Latin can also help with understanding English grammar, especially if you just don't get active vs. passive verbs (I'm 16 and I'm just now getting the whole active/passive thing >.<)
even though, yes, Latin is a dead language, it's the root of the romantic languages (french, spanish, italian, portuguese, and a few others) as well as many english words.
2007-02-12 09:32:32 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I took Latin to help with vocab on SATs, but you learn enough of the root words after one full year to give you almost all of the help that you can get. After that, I would take a language such as Spanish that will help you in the business world rather than more of a dead language.
2007-02-12 05:18:19 · answer #5 · answered by Lil Gal 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You are absolutely correct: Latin is far from a "dead" language as it is in constant use in the sciences, for one thing, and is actually spoken in some circumstances. I took it in junior high school and it has been one of the most useful things ever, for vocabulary and learning other languages. I am currently studying it again simply for pleasure, and learning new things all the time. So go for it!
2016-05-24 01:14:26 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it will help with vocab since most of our language was based on that language. but i took the act and took latin for 2 yrs. i dont think it helped me a whole lot.
2007-02-12 05:17:14 · answer #7 · answered by jenivive 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
yes, the SATs has to do alot with words and many many words are based in Latin and greek...If you learn it...you will do somewhat better in that test than if you didn't know it...
you will be able to break down words and understand them better...any little bit helps
2007-02-12 05:16:52 · answer #8 · answered by Curiously 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Latin will help you in your English its the root of all Eglish words.
2007-02-12 05:16:07 · answer #9 · answered by tewarienormy 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If you're a genius, like myself, you'll do fine on the SAT's without any extra prepping.
2007-02-12 05:15:46 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 5⤋