10 Best Latin Language Courses and Certifications Online

The study of Latin language has always been considered an essential academic pursuit due to its rich history and influence on modern languages. With the advancement of technology, online learning has become increasingly popular and accessible. As a result, numerous online Latin language courses have emerged, each claiming to offer the best learning experience. In this article, we will explore some of the top online Latin language courses available, comparing their features and benefits to help learners make an informed decision.

Here’s a look at the Best Latin Language Courses and Certifications Online and what they have to offer for you!

10 Best Latin Language Courses and Certifications Online

1. Wheelock’s Latin : Chapters 1-15 Lectures by Ben Lugosch (Udemy) (Our Best Pick)

This course titled “Wheelock’s Latin: Chapters 1-15 Lectures” is designed to help beginners understand the concepts of the Wheelock grammar book. The instructor, Ben Lugosch, has created lectures to guide students through the perplexing concepts of English and Latin grammar that often hinder progress in learning Latin. The lectures review the concepts of English grammar and help students apply them to Latin grammar. They also provide guidance on the self-tutorial exercises in the back of the Wheelock book for each chapter. The lectures track exactly with the textbook chapters to provide context-sensitive help when needed.

It should be noted that the lectures do not replace the Wheelock text and to gain any benefit from them, students must have the textbook. The lectures do not provide answers to the exercises or anything that is copyright protected by the publisher of the Wheelock book. Upon completing the series on the Wheelock, students can check out the instructor’s detailed readings and discussion of the Fabulae Faciles, a set of graded readers designed to help readers move from elementary Latin grammar to intermediate prose. Additionally, the instructor has two complete classes on the texts used by the American AP Latin exams, which can be useful for students preparing for the exams or for advanced readers who wish to start on Vergil’s Aeneid and Caesar’s Gallic Wars.

The course content is divided into sections covering each chapter of the Wheelock book.

2. An Introduction to Classical Latin by Benedict Atchley (Udemy)

The course titled “An Introduction to Classical Latin” is designed for beginners to learn the basics of Latin grammar and syntax. The course includes a comprehensive vocabulary that expands with each lesson. Upon completing this course, students will have acquired the foundation needed to enroll in the second introductory course.

The course offers several benefits, including learning the father language of all Romantic languages, which can serve as an excellent gateway to learning many new languages in the future. Additionally, students will learn the etymology of English words that derive their meaning from Latin. Furthermore, studying a new language will help students develop a better understanding of grammar in their own language.

The course offers a variety of materials, including short lectures ranging between 3-7 minutes for each lesson. Each lesson includes a document that features a list of 10-15 vocabulary words and sentences to translate from Latin to English and English to Latin. Self-test exams are provided every five chapters, along with an answer key for both exams and translation exercises. A bonus vocabulary list will be added to the course content regularly.

3. Wheelock’s Latin : Chapters 16-30 Lectures by Ben Lugosch (Udemy)

The Wheelock’s Latin: Chapters 16-30 Lectures course on Udemy offers lectures, useful forms, and audio tutorials to assist students in getting the most out of the Wheelock’s Latin textbook. The course is designed to provide guidance on the more perplexing grammar concepts of both English and Latin, to make the on-ramp to learning Latin smoother for modern-day students. The lectures track precisely with the chapters of the textbook, giving students “context sensitive” help when needed. It must be noted that the lectures do not replace the Wheelock text, and copyright-protected materials from the publisher will not be provided. Students must have the Wheelock text to benefit from the lectures.

The course covers material from chapters 16-30, which are typically covered in the second semester of a college-level class or the second year of a high school class. The course begins with a brief introduction, followed by lectures on topics such as third declension adjectives, relative pronouns and clauses, passive voice in the present system of 1st and 2nd conjugation verbs, and passive voice of the perfect system. Other topics include fourth declension nouns, participles, and the present of the subjunctive mood. The course concludes with a review of the perfect system subjunctive, indirect question, and sequence of tenses.

In summary, the Wheelock’s Latin: Chapters 16-30 Lectures course provides students with lectures, useful forms, and audio tutorials to assist in the learning of Latin using the Wheelock’s Latin textbook. The lectures track precisely with the chapters of the textbook, providing “context sensitive” help when needed. However, copyright-protected materials from the publisher will not be provided, and students must have the Wheelock text to benefit from the lectures. The course covers material typically covered in the second semester of a college-level class or the second year of a high school class.

4. Wheelock’s Latin: Chapters 31-40 Lectures by Ben Lugosch (Udemy)

This course, titled “Wheelock’s Latin: Chapters 31-40 Lectures”, is designed to aid self-taught learners in comprehending the Wheelock Latin text, a widely-recognized textbook used by American universities and colleges. The course serves as part three of a series of lectures, preceded by “Wheelock’s Latin: Chapters 1-15” and “Wheelock’s Latin: Chapters 16-30”, both of which are available on the Udemy platform. Starting at Chapter 31, the course covers a range of topics, such as Cum Clauses, Adverbs, Conditional Statements, Deponent Verbs, and many more.

Chapter 31 covers Cum Clauses and Fero; Chapter 32 focuses on Adverbs, Malo, Volo, Nolo, and Proviso Clauses; Chapter 33 deals with Conditional Statements; Chapter 34 centers on Deponent Verbs; Chapter 35 explores Dative Case with Some Verbs; Chapter 36 delves into Jussive Noun Clauses and Fīō; Chapter 37 touches on Eō, Place, and Time Constructions; Chapter 38 focuses on Relative Clauses of Characteristic, Dative of Reference, and Supines; Chapter 39 covers Gerund and Gerundive; and Chapter 40 delves into – Ne, Num, and Nōnne, Fear Clauses, and Gen. and Abl. of Description.

In conclusion, the “Wheelock’s Latin: Chapters 31-40 Lectures” course is an excellent resource for those who desire to learn Latin on their own. The course provides a comprehensive set of lectures and study materials that cater to a variety of learning needs.

5. Latin I , First Quarter by Mr. Cedric Ebiner (Udemy)

Latin I, First Quarter is a course designed for beginners to learn the fundamentals of the Latin language. The course covers topics such as noun declensions, the five Latin cases, basic sentence structure, syntax and grammar. It also explores subject verb agreements, genders of nouns and the conjugation of the linking verb ESSE (to be).

Students are required to have access to Henle Latin First Year (paperback or digital) as well as the reference grammar book (paperback or digital). “Looking at Latin” can be helpful but is not necessary. The course takes approximately ten weeks to complete and involves studying lectures (videos), memorization of vocabulary, declension, conjugation and grammar rules, and written exercises.

Upon completion of this course, students can move on to Latin I, Second Quarter. Henle Latin First Year is covered in Latin I and Latin II. Latin II and Latin III are also available. Taking this course seriously can provide a solid foundation in the language of Caesar and Cicero and may fulfill homeschooling requirements for High School foreign language credits.

The course includes an introduction, six lessons, and a conclusion.

6. Latin I, Second Quarter by Mr. Cedric Ebiner (Udemy)

Latin I, Second Quarter is a course that provides basic knowledge of the Latin language including adjective declensions, verb conjugation, vocabulary and grammar. This course is designed to be taken after the first Latin course and covers the beginning stages of learning the language. The course spans twelve weeks and includes lectures, memorization work, and written exercises.

Students must have access to Henle Latin First Year in a paperback or digital format and also the reference grammar book in either format. “Looking at Latin” is recommended but not required.

The course covers three of the six tenses of the indicative active, namely the present, the imperfect, and the future. Students will also learn about basic sentence structure, syntax, and grammar in addition to noun-adjective agreement.

Upon completion of this course, students can enroll in Latin I, Third Quarter. It is important to note that Henle Latin First Year is covered in Latin I and Latin II, and Latin III is already available.

This course provides a solid foundation in the language of Caesar and Cicero, and may fulfill some homeschooling requirements for high school foreign language credits. The course is concluded with a “Bonam Fortunam!” (Good Luck!) message.

The course is broken down into eight sections, including an introduction and conclusion, as well as six lessons. The course is designed to be challenging but rewarding for students who take it seriously.

7. Fabulae Faciles: Perseus 1-11 by Ben Lugosch (Udemy)

The course titled “Fabulae Faciles: Perseus 1-11” is designed to guide Latin students who have recently completed elementary Latin grammar towards classical authors. The course instructor, Ben Lugosch, has used the popular and effective 19th century reader, Fabulae Faciles, for years as independent study materials for his own college-level Latin students over the summer.

The course covers the first reader in Fabulae Faciles and includes audio files, guided study, supplementary materials, and a consistent presence throughout the course. The content is divided into sections such as “The Myths of Perseus and the Argolid” and “Perseus Stories: 01 Set Adrift”, providing comprehensive coverage of the material.

The course is structured as follows: first, students start with the section “First Things” before moving on to the Perseus stories, which are covered in chronological order from 01 to 11. The course concludes with a review and concluding remarks.

Overall, this course is an excellent resource for Latin students who are transitioning from elementary to intermediate Latin and need guidance to navigate real classical authors. With its comprehensive coverage of the material and consistent support throughout the course, students can feel confident in their ability to progress in their Latin studies.

8. Latin II (First & Second Semester) by Mr. Cedric Ebiner (Udemy)

Latin II is a course for students who have an interest in Latin and languages. It covers grammar, syntax, vocabulary, English derivatives, and elements of Roman history and culture. The course corresponds to the second level of Latin language and follows the Henle Latin series. It is a year-long course that is taught thoroughly and carefully to allow students to acquire a serious knowledge of the language. A hard copy or digital version of the book is required, and exercises from the book are recommended at the end of every lesson.

The course is divided into 42 lessons, beginning with an introduction and review. Lessons 21-36 are covered weekly, with specific dates provided for each lesson. Lessons 37-41 are covered over two weeks. The course concludes with Lesson 42.

Overall, this course provides serious exposure to Latin, the language of the educated. Students who complete the course should have a solid understanding of Latin grammar and syntax, as well as knowledge of Roman history and culture.

9. The Latin Language Through Story: Part I by Benedict Atchley (Udemy)

The Latin Language Through Story: Part I is a language course that aims to teach Classical Latin through a story that becomes progressively more difficult with each lesson. Each lesson introduces a new grammatical concept and puts it into practice through a short recorded reading entirely in Latin. The story follows a Roman family and their servants in their daily life in the Roman countryside. This is the first course in a series that will teach the Latin language through a continuous story.

The course covers several grammar topics, including the five major noun cases, the present tense of verbs in all four conjugations, the infinitive and the complementary infinitive, helping verbs, special verbs with a dative, the imperative voice, the verb to be, the relative pronoun, and more. The course includes hundreds of commonly used Latin vocabulary words, a Latin-English translation of the course’s story, and exercise sheets and translation exercises.

The course is divided into eight lessons, covering topics such as letters and numbers, nouns’ gender and number, conjugation of verbs in the present tense, accusative case of nouns, third declension, and second conjugation, genitive case, third and fourth conjugation, agreement of adjectives, ablative and vocative case, the imperative voice, prepositions, the dative case and verbs that take the dative, relative pronoun, auxiliary verb, infinitive, negative imperative. In total, the course includes nearly three hours of video, plenty of reading, and additional grammar and translation exercises.

The Latin Language Through Story: Part I course is designed to keep learners busy and help them enjoy learning Latin, the language that served as the ancestor to many of the languages spoken today. The course is taught by Benedict Atchley.

10. Fabulae Faciles: Hercules by Ben Lugosch (Udemy)

The course titled “Fabulae Faciles: Hercules” is offered with instructors Ben Lugosch, providing audio files, texts, and study tips for the Fabulae Faciles stories on Hercules.

The course is designed as a continuation of the Perseus stories, as presented in the textbook “A Junior Latin Reader.” Prior to enrolling in this course, it is recommended that learners complete the Perseus stories first, which are also available on Udemy. This will help to develop the fundamental vocabulary and syntax needed for the Hercules stories, as well as provide an understanding of how to utilize the materials on the site.

The course is divided into sections based on the readings. Students will have access to a variety of texts and audio files, as well as study tips to help them better understand the Hercules stories.