Witty Wordsmith: Greek & Latin Word Roots
It has always seemed to me a pity that the young people of our generation should grow up with such scant knowledge of Greek and Latin literature, its wealth and variety, its freshness and its imperishable quality.
--James Loeb
Some estimate that as much as 70% of the English language comes directly or indirectly from Greek and Latin. As technology and science progress, new words are coined by combining roots from these two languages more than any other language on the planet. Greek and Latin word roots are so foundational to the understanding of our own language that college preparedness exams like the SAT and ACT include sections to test the student’s ability to properly understand new and unfamiliar words that include the most common building blocks from the Classical languages.
This class introduces approximately 300 Greek and Latin word roots that are frequently found in English words. Our weekly live class session is highly participatory, with students brainstorming words that use roots from the list, coining new words, and participating in a variety of verbal games.
Weekly homework assignments include defining words from their roots, correctly using them in creative sentences, and searching the English language for additional words that use roots from the current word list.
Exams use a variety of question types designed to prepare students for their college entrance exams. In addition to the roots discussed in class, each session includes a “story time,” which explains the Classical origins of common phrases or words like “Gordian knot” and “Pyrrhic victory” which come directly from the Greek and Roman world.
--This class will definitely flex your language muscles and give you a greater appreciation for the origins of your own words--
There are a lot of word root programs out there but most of them require a stack of dry workbooks. Fill-in-the-blank chores never inspired anyone. This course will power-boost your vocabulary, turn you into a fabulous wordsmith, and likely help you prepare for college entrance exams all in one fast-paced semester. We study the most common building blocks of the English language using varied techniques, including instructor designed online and in class games or competitions. You are guaranteed a memorable classroom time!
All materials are provided by the instructor. There is no required text for this course. Students will be given recommendations for various online etymological dictionaries to use while completing assignments.
Average students will need around 4-5 hours total to complete assignments and spend time in online review games plus additional time to prepare for quizzes. Recommended for those working at 8th grade level and above. Student who have never yet experienced a class that has several weekly assignments plus the requirement that those assignments be turned in on time will need a bit of help maturing their academic skills during this course.
Instructor - Regan Barr
We offer two session times, autumn semester only:
1. Complete weekly reading assignments on time
2. Take online quizzes including a midterm and final exam
3. Attend the live session once a week, and participate by asking great questions and offering answers when asked.
Students should expect to keep up with the pace of the course. If your student is new to having several weekly requirements for a class, keep close tabs until he or she has matured his or her good work habits. This academic maturity is a natural component to future language studies so now is a great time to model and protect good time management skills. Deadlines are kept firm to develop time management skills.
This class introduces approximately 300 Greek and Latin word roots that are frequently found in English words. Our weekly live class session is highly participatory, with students brainstorming words that use roots from the list, coining new words, and participating in a variety of verbal games.
Weekly homework assignments include defining words from their roots, correctly using them in creative sentences, and searching the English language for additional words that use roots from the current word list.
Exams use a variety of question types designed to prepare students for their college entrance exams. In addition to the roots discussed in class, each session includes a “story time,” which explains the Classical origins of common phrases or words like “Gordian knot” and “Pyrrhic victory” which come directly from the Greek and Roman world.
--This class will definitely flex your language muscles and give you a greater appreciation for the origins of your own words--
There are a lot of word root programs out there but most of them require a stack of dry workbooks. Fill-in-the-blank chores never inspired anyone. This course will power-boost your vocabulary, turn you into a fabulous wordsmith, and likely help you prepare for college entrance exams all in one fast-paced semester. We study the most common building blocks of the English language using varied techniques, including instructor designed online and in class games or competitions. You are guaranteed a memorable classroom time!
All materials are provided by the instructor. There is no required text for this course. Students will be given recommendations for various online etymological dictionaries to use while completing assignments.
Average students will need around 4-5 hours total to complete assignments and spend time in online review games plus additional time to prepare for quizzes. Recommended for those working at 8th grade level and above. Student who have never yet experienced a class that has several weekly assignments plus the requirement that those assignments be turned in on time will need a bit of help maturing their academic skills during this course.
Instructor - Regan Barr
We offer two session times, autumn semester only:
- Thurs. at 9 am ET
- Thurs. at 2:15 PM ET
1. Complete weekly reading assignments on time
2. Take online quizzes including a midterm and final exam
3. Attend the live session once a week, and participate by asking great questions and offering answers when asked.
Students should expect to keep up with the pace of the course. If your student is new to having several weekly requirements for a class, keep close tabs until he or she has matured his or her good work habits. This academic maturity is a natural component to future language studies so now is a great time to model and protect good time management skills. Deadlines are kept firm to develop time management skills.
