How to Learn Ancient Languages (Ancient Greek & Latin)

JACT Summer Schools:

Cambridge Independent Learners Courses:

Classics for All:

Memrise (2020 update - since I keep getting comments about it I thought I’d mention here that Memrise no longer appear to offer Greek or Latin)

Books Mentioned:

Reading Greek Text and Vocabulary:

Reading Greek Grammar and Exercises:

Reading Greek An Independent Study Guide:

Lucian's The Ass:

Lysias: On the Murder of Eratosthenes:

Cambridge Latin Course Book 1:

[tamaradimarco]

I'm Italian and I study both Latin and Ancient Greek at high school, I just love them. They really teach you how to think.

[sophialism]

As a native Greek speaker myself I've always wondered how people from foreign countries studied Greek or Ancient Greek that is.
The educational system in Greece has students learning Ancient Greek from the age of 12, if not younger, till 18.
Then, in High School Latin is a mandatory class for those who want to follow the Humanities direction. From my experience Latin is not a very difficult language to grasp. A lot of students depend on getting a full grade in Latin for their exams, because it's the supposedly easy subject. Needs a lot of studying, nonetheless.
Ancient Greek is a whole other subject and definitely not easy, to the point that students steer clear of the Humanities direction just because A. Greek is the main subject. What I'm trying to say is that if it's difficult for us it's understandable to be hard for you. At this stage in my life I'm able to translate Ancient Greek texts to Modern Greek but then again it's not just about translating. There's the grammar, verbs, nouns, syntax and what not.
I really want to film a video, or maybe a series of videos, after I'm done with my exams, talking about learning Ancient Greek in Greece and how it's done. I think that it could possibly help other people and also give me an insight into how people from foreign countries actually study, through their comments. This was a hugeass comment. Great video, as always, Jean! Very interesting.

[icelandmoon]

I highly recommend Hans Ørberg's Lingua Latina Series for Beginners of Latin.For Greek Beginners I recommend The Great Courses Greek 101 by Professor Hans-Friedrich Mueller from the Teaching company.I also suggest Assimil's Le Grec Ancien if you speak or read French.The Greek Paradigm Handbook by Erik Geannikis, Andrew Romiti and P.T. Wilford. Greek An Intensive Course by Hansen and Quinn.I hear good things about the Italian edition of Athenaze.

[lindafox]

Hi,
I've been learning Latin for a while but never considered learning Greek until I seen this video. Your enthusiasm for books and reading is so infectious and inspirational.
Kind regards Linda in Liverpool

[emmab]

This video is very helpful! One of my biggest regrets is that my school DID offer Classics AND Latin, which I did take.. but I didn't apply myself at all due to being a silly teenager at the time. I have definitely sparked an interest now though. :)

[josedelnegro]

The way you all speak in your nation is so beautiful. I do not feel that any other region speaks English with such magnificent wonder.

[LydiaEmily]

Ah the JACT Greek books. They are so useful and wonderful!

For Latin I really like my Wheelock's Latin text book, which was the one I used in undergrad. It does get mixed reviews from teachers I think and it is an American programme, but I really love it. Every chapter starts with the grammar you need to learn and then at the end you've got exercises and small translations. And at the back of the book it's got tons of optional exercises and longer translations for you to do. It's one of those ones that was really good in the classroom, but that is also easy to use for self-teaching.
I never thought I'd love ancient languages as much as I do, but they're just so great. I can't stop studying them and doing translations even though I'm not at uni anymore!

[SaturaLanx]

I teach Latin online (I also have a channel here on YouTube), and stubled upon your video by chance. I learnt with LLPSI / "Familia Romana" myself and now I use it for teaching, along with other inspirations. I recommend it to anyone. Thanks for your insight, Jean!

[ellietaylor]

I am in awe and so excited to learn about memrise. I've been trying my hand at ancient Greek after 4 years of Latin study and it's been so hard finding any materials for self study. This video is amazing. Thank you so much for putting together such a collection of resources, and it was quite nice to see the inside of the volumes as you discussed them.

[GeorgeChar]

After deciding to finally delve into the world of Ancient Greek, I have to admit that JACT's Reading Greek is indeed a fantastic book. In fact, it's so great, that I feel happy to be able to finally understand what my high school teacher's had failed to. Furthermore, It's very surprising how when you approach the task correctly you start to see patterns between the ancient language and modern-day Greek.

[TheMadhouseOfficial]

Some of these sound useful. I've been trying to learn Latin for years, but it's so difficult to find a native speaker to help me out.

[aussieome]

After spending three years on modern mandarin, I'm starting classical/literary/ancient chinese next year!

[auntpurl]

This is great! We home educated our kids, and I introduced Latin to them when they were little (just roots and games). Five years ago we joined Classical Conversations, a support community for homeschooling families, when the kids were in middle school and high school, and we began Latin grammar studies in earnest together. I've been trying to learn Latin ever since right along with my kids. I'm always looking for ideas and tips on better ways to study. It's difficult for my middle aged brain to grasp, but satisfying. Thanks for the encouragement!

[antsmith]

Loving M.Beard's Confronting the Classics in the background

[daveduvergier]

Athenaze crops up a lot as a learning resource, but at school we used a book called Thrasymachus, which built learning around the adventures of the eponymous young lad encountering various figures from Greek mythology. I really recommend it because it's a lot more playful and fun than the usual rather staid books that are the norm for classics.

[Phylaetra]

There is also a "Speaking Greek" companion CD now as another companion to the JACT Reading Greek set.

The self-study book is called, "Reading Greek: An Independent Study Guide"

[dandelionsedyn]

I'm spanish and i start studying both greek and latin in two years, i can't waitttt

[annad]

I’m 14 and have been learning Latin for 4 years. I’m also doing Cambridge Latin Course and I’m nearly on book 5! I’ve just finished my level 2 gcse but I think I’m gonna quit tho cos I’ve got my GCSE’s next year :((

[samuelbonomo]

I have not found very clear information in the internet about a path to follow on the purpose of learning ancient greek. So this was very helpfull, thank you so much!

[Qwertzuiop]

I'm German and I guess I was just really lucky. I had to learn Latin (witch at the time I didn't really appreciate, now I do) and I could choose to Lear some Ancient Greek as well. Great video!