If you want to become fluent in Latin – then I recommend handcopying, one phrase or sentence at a time – alongside its translation.

Especially if you don’t have as much time to devote to Latin learning as you’d like.

This is honestly the most efficient method I know when you’re on your own.

I’ve been using copywork for years.

For writing – hand copying great writing.

For philosophy – writing out the ideas and arguments.

I’ve used it for language learning, history, science, and so on.

It’s simple – and it works.

Read back on my emails this week if you missed any and need to be sold more on the idea.

Now, here’s a really great question you might be asking:

“Does copywork work for ALL levels?”

Short answer: yes.

If you’re a 100% never-seen-Latin-before beginner – this is the way to start.

If you’re someone who’s studied Latin for years – this is the next step.

The only person it’s NOT for is the person who’s ALREADY FLUENT in Latin.

If you are – you don’t need to do copywork.

BUT, even then, copywork is a great tool.

Why?

Because if you’re fluent – copywork is one of the most effective ways to improve your Latin style.

So it really is an all-levels tool.

Another question about copywork:

“Is copywork just for reading or can I learn to write fluently too?”

Great question.

First, the research suggests that input is actually all you need to be able to have output.

What I mean is, the research by people like Stephen Krashen says that if you read enough, then you will just naturally reach a level where you’re able to start spontaneously creating sentences.

That’s certainly been my experience with modern languages like Dutch and Italian.

But there IS a way to use copywork to speed up and refine the process.

Once you’ve been copying Latin to English for at least 60 days, you can then go back to material you’ve already copied, and, copying the English only, try to write the Latin next to it.

Then you compare with the original – notice differences – and repeat the next day.

But this is only supplementary – it shouldn’t ever replace the normal copywork!

Because remember – language is about understanding first.

Okay, there’s a lot to unpack there.

Hopefully it’s all making sense.

In either case, I’d recommend you go back over this week’s emails to really make sure you understand the benefits and the process.

I hope this is starting to click for you… and you’re as excited as I was when I first thought of this method!

I’ve got so much more I want to say on copywork, so I’ll be back on Monday to continue the discussion.

Have a great weekend!

Alexander

P.S. If you have any other questions about copywork or the ‘large amounts of input’ theory, keep sending them my way. Just hit reply and let me know what’s on your mind.

P.P.S. Today's reading!

Magnae silvae sunt post Trojam

there are great/big forests behind Troy

Quo in loco sunt magnae silvae?

in what place are there great/big forests?

Post Trojam sunt magnae silvae.

behind Troy there are great/big forests

Quales sunt silvae?

what kind are the forests/what are the forests like?

Magnae sunt silvae.

the forests are big

Quae res sunt post Trojam?

what things are behind Troy?

Magnae silvae sunt post Trojam.

big forests are behind Troy