Use and Life : One in the Same?


This informational paper not only addresses the existence of Latin in the curriculum, but also it's benefits and positive effects towards "improving English skills, facilitating the learning of another foreign language, and improving critical thinking skills" (Devane, 1997). Throughout the history of education, various factions of Latin, such as grammar, composition, and conversation have not only been implemented, but required as well. The language's presence in the classroom has not gone unnoticed, as much research has been done to prove how Latin can not only increase scores on standardized test, but jointly aid in the enhancement of important higher order thinking skills, a broader cultural and humanistic perspective, communication skills and, thereby, one's social and economic opportunities and self-image.

Yes, the purpose of this blog is to focus on whether or not the language itself is alive, or dead. But maybe it's state in modern language can be defined by it's effects.
     "the SAT Verbal average for those taking the Latin Achievement Test . . . was 144 points higher than the national average for all students. . . . Moreover, while national SAT Math averages also dropped slightly . . . , Latin Achievement Test participants scored . . . 122 points higher than the mean for all students." (lafleur, 1980). "In Washington, students who had taken a foreign language and Latin scored in the 58th percentile on their English vocabulary level, while those with no foreign language scored an average percentile of 28" (Mavrogenes, 1977). By facts like these within the paper, on can deduct that kids are not only learning latin, but are retaining it and applying it to other facets of their education. Latin is not just present in the sense that it is being taught, but also in the sense that it is being learned.

So do the results of learning Latin count as evidence of it's "life"? Why or why not? And if so, does the same concept discussed relate to other subjects in life?


Devane, Alice K. (1997) Efficacy of Latin Studies in the Information Age. Retrieved on April 14, 2012 http://teach.valdosta.edu/whuitt/files/latin.html