Latin I is for those who want to begin an active study of the Latin language, using Lingua Latina per se Illustrata by Hans Orberg. It takes the student through chapters 1-12 of Orberg's classic text. Previous experience with Latin can be useful but is not required.

The ultimate goal for my students is to attain command of the language so that they may read and understand Roman and other Latin authors in their own language. Although that goal takes several years to reach, it is more readily attained in the end when the curriculum and pedagogy are designed all along with that end always in view. Hence this course is taught mostly in Latin, with students always learning the meaning of words and phrases in context. The repeated exposure to essential vocabulary and grammatical forms through a written narrative and oral instruction are complemented by an active use of the language which develops the student's skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Vocabulary and grammar are always studied in context and are taught in a systematic way using the direct method of instruction.