Learn Latin Online!
Latin, the dead language that refuses to be lost or forgotten.
Maybe you studied it years ago in school and want to give it another try.
Maybe you’re a student and need some help achieving your best on a major exam - GCSE, A-Level, IB, AP…
Maybe you’ve always wanted to be able to read your favorite authors - Classical, medieval, ecclesiastical - in their original language.
Whatever your motivation, I can help you learn Latin at your own pace and for your own purposes. Have a look at the FAQs section below to see if online lessons are a good fit for you. If you’re ready to start learning, use the form at the bottom of the page to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have both a BA and MA in Classics (Greek and Latin) from the University of Pittsburgh and Maryland, respectively. I have 8 years of experience as a middle school and high school Latin teacher in the US and Hong Kong.
What qualifications and experience do you have?
The main method of instruction is via live Zoom video conferencing. For students local to Hong Kong, there is the possibility of in-person lessons, although travel times may not make all in-person lessons feasible. For students inquiring from outside of Hong Kong, please note that local time for me is GMT+8.
How are lessons conducted?
I am open to the possibility of teaching multiple students at the same time, both on Zoom and in-person, provided that the learners are all around the same level of proficiency.
Do you teach group lessons?
How much do lessons cost?
The cost of hourly lessons varies depending on several factors. The rate for individual beginners, for example, is lower than the rate for exam-preparation or more advanced learners. This is due to the amount of preparation time that I need to do between lessons to serve each student. Use the form or email address below if you have a specific inquiry and want an exact number.
What is your pedagogical approach?
I advocate for learning Latin via the “natural method”, which emphasizes the importance of extensive reading in order to achieve fluency. While I am open to using all available textbooks and teaching materials, I default to instruction with Hans Orberg’s Lingua Latina Per Se Illustrata series for its utility in this regard. I am also very interested in adhering as closely as possible to restituta pronunciation conventions, i.e. keeping as faithfully as possible to the ancient Roman sounds of the language. (If students would like to use ecclesiastical pronunciation, that is also fine.) I use macronized texts whenever possible, especially at the beginning.
What ages and levels do you teach?
Do you also teach ancient Greek?
Generally I am open to students middle school aged (about 12) to adults. I am happy to help students begin their Latin study (ab initio) or continue it from their current level. I’m also happy to continue using any textbook that a student already knows/uses as long as I have access to the materials. Students preparing for high-level exams (AP, IB…) are also welcome, although I will need adequate preparation time to deal with the difficult Classical texts in those syllabi.
Can I study late Latin (e.g. medieval, Biblical)?
Of course! Although my background is generally in the Classical Latin of the late Republic and early Empire, I am happy to read later Latin authors, including the Christian writers of later centuries. I would advise learning Classical Latin grammar and core vocabulary thoroughly before trying to read any authentic texts.
What if I want to learn Latin specifically for a career in law or medicine?
While a thorough knowledge of Latin is absolutely helpful in careers like law and medicine, studying the language formally is not an efficient way to gain the most useful vocabulary if this is the only goal. Law or medicine students who do not actually wish to learn to read connected Latin texts should focus their study on lists of individual words or phrases that occur most frequently in those fields, not traditional Latin education.
Although both of my university degrees required many years of ancient Greek study, I have not been teaching or reading Greek regularly for many years. I would still be able to help anyone starting to learn ancient Greek from scratch, especially using an established book like Athenaze or Hansen and Quinn, but I would not be a good choice for more advanced ancient Greek students due to the amount of preparation time I would need.
Can I learn to speak Latin?
Spoken Latin is an important aspect of Latin language acquisition, the same as it is for any language. I was not given a strong foundation in spoken Latin when I was a student, so it is not an area of great strength for me. However, I am able to speak a little bit and will support students who wish to develop their spoken language. I do not require students to learn to become proficient Latin speakers, but it is possible for anyone who is willing!