Ready, Set, Engage!

Barbara A. Hill (University of Colorado, Boulder)

At all levels of Latin instruction, many students, who are unprepared to learn the language, take seats in classrooms and try to succeed. They may, however, lack the cognitive "scaffolding" which allows them to categorize and more easily learn disparate elements, or they may lag in their ability to coordinate vocabulary, word forms, and sentence syntax effectively enough to coax meanings from sentences. They may be stymied by grammar rules, and they may come to believe they cannot learn Latin. Sadly, they may not be able to locate parents, friends, or tutors proficient enough to help them through difficult spots.

Engaging such tentative students in true learning is essential for a beginning Latin text. Students and their supporters as well must be able to look to a text for those crucial explanations, exercises, and readings, which allow them to engage fully and confidently in learning Latin. This panelist will examine the methods by which DISCE LATINAM scaffolds Latin learning and makes it possible for most students to acquire Latin.