Latin literature is worth reading. There are fascinating works of imagination, history, epic, poetry, cutting wit, drama, and political science written in Latin.

Reading Latin literature exposes students directly to Roman (and indirectly to Greek) culture, literature, art, history, government, and thought, all of which have had a profound influence on our own culture at the most elementary level. To understand classical culture is to understand one’s own identity within the English speaking world. 

Latin is a good model language for study and has immense value in preparing students to study other languages, as well as incalculable immediate value in the study of English!

Latin provides an immense advantage for future studies in the fields of classics, physics, art, biology, drama, history, literature, medicine, politics, seminary, law, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Romanian.

1. Latin is the basis for 60 to 70 percent of English vocabulary.

2. The study of Latin provides a foundation for the study of English grammar and for an understanding of the structure and vocabulary of Indo-European languages.

3. An understanding of Latin greatly enhances one's appreciation for the history of Western civilization and for literature.

4. For many centuries, Latin was the language of the Christian church, and the great works of theology, philosophy, and history were written in Latin (e.g., the works of Augustine, Calvin, and Luther).

5. Latin provides the basis for the languages of the applied sciences, (e.g., law, medicine, botany, zoology, and political science).

6. Knowledge of Latin strengthens one's English spelling, pronunciation, and reading comprehension, refining one's powers of expression, both orally and in writing.

7. Studying Latin requires mental discipline and training (gymnastics of the brain) that strengthen the mind.

8. The study of Latin requires precision and attention to detail that can readily transfer to other areas of study and of life.

9. The study of Latin provides exercise in analysis, which can apply to other disciplines.

In summary, Latin is far from a dead language. Its mastery provides students with much greater benefit than simply the knowledge of Latin itself.