Why Latin?

The Classical Languages at Westminster Academy

The two foreign languages offered at Westminster Academy are Classical Greek and Latin. It is logical that a school emphasizing classical education would offer classical languages. So what are the benefits to offering these particular languages? The most documented benefit is that students of classical languages routinely outscore students of all other foreign languages on standardized tests. The connection of higher test scores to classical languages is related to a strong foundation in overall development of English grammar, vocabulary
and more importantly, thinking skills. Those are acceptable goals in our postmodern culture but there has to be more…and there is. Ultimately, our goal is that a student reads the classics in the original languages with some lexical helps. The nuances of language are very difficult to transfer and, consequently, translate into another language.

For two thousand years the Latin language has stood the test of time. Even the fall of Rome did not slow the powerful language’s progress. It continued to thrive through the ecclesiastical, theological and scientific realms. The Renaissance tended to bring the romance languages more to the forefront but Latin continued to flourish in theological institutions and academies. It has only been in the last 100 years that the study of Latin has gone through a decline. I would connect this study to a more progressive approach that tends to produce students ready to fit into an economy. Westminster Academy sees a liberal arts approach to education as preparing young men and women to live in the City of God and the City of Man. The classical languages have been a strategic part of that education for some time.

It is to that end that Latin and Greek are taught here. First and foremost Latin is the language of the Romans whom the Father used to create an environment to spread the Gospel. These languages are a beautiful expression of His character- logical, full and vibrant. When taught well, these languages capture a student’s imagination and deepen his understanding of God. A side benefit is that a proper study of Latin and Greek gives a student an analytical skill that produces benefits in all of life. Ultimately, Latin helps to educate the whole person.