FAQ and More Detail How does this work?
 
    I use an online conferencing program called "GoToMeeting," which allows you to see my screen. As we do our work, I can mark up the "board" before us. I can also "call" on students to "come to the board" and make their own annotations. So it's very much like a classroom setting.

    The audio is provided either through VoIP or through a conference telephone call. VoIP is infinitely preferable

Who are you?
 
    I'm Dale Grote. I have a Ph.D. in Classical Languages from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and have been teaching classical studies for nearly 30 years. I've written a companion book for the Wheelock text, which (I'm pleased to be able to say) has proven to be useful to many, called "A Comprehensive Guide to Wheelock." You can examine it on Amazon.com via this direct link: (my book at Amazon). I've been teaching self-learners and home schooled students online  for about 10 years now.
     
Whom is the course for/Whom is it not for?

    Probably the students who'll get the most out of the course are those who've had Latin before at a very early age, and who are now ready to fill in all the holes. My objective is to get home-taught students ready for upper division Latin at their college or university when they enroll. The course is probably not for young, true beginners under the age of 15 because we move rather quickly. But I have had young students who've done very well.

    Another category of students will be adults in home schooling networks who'll be teaching beginning Latin, or who are teaching Latin now and need a little more confidence.

    I also have a fair share of adult learners who want to learn Latin for its own sake, or who need it for a divinity degree.

Can I just pay for a few classes and see how it goes?
 
    That sounds reasonable, but the number of seats in a class is limited to ten, and they always fill up. If I give a spot to a “day hiker,” then there is one less seat available for the “through hikers.” You should really be clear in your own mind before you begin that you really want to learn to read Latin and will finish the whole program.
     
Is there a refund for unused classes if I can’t complete the program? or Can I start later in the session for a pro-rated tuition?
 
    Again, that sounds reasonable, but see above. This isn’t something you want to do unless you’re determined to achieve independent reading ability in Latin, and unless you can, and will, put in the time it’s going to take for the next year: about seven hours each week. Starting later in the term isn’t advisable on any account. I have my own system for teaching Latin grammar. If you try to start in only where you think you need help, we won’t connect and you won't understand my methods. Plus, the classes always fill up with what I can "through hikers."
     
What are the ages of your students?

    Currently I have students from 14 to 81, with the full spread in between. This make a nice mix of experience for the home schooled student.
     
What about “after Wheelock?” Do you have reading classes online?
 
    Absolutely. There is a 10-week reading class -- 10 meetings -- right after Wheelock for emerging students for $100 a seat. After that, you are an official member of the Alumni Club, which means you can come to our free "smoking" room, where we meet and read a Latin text together once a week.

What’s on the course DVD?

    The CD contains: (1) a slide/audio survey of the material in the chapter; (2) a printable study sheet to help you drill your forms; (3) audio vocabulary drills; (4) an audio file which “talks through” the Self-Tutorial Exercises in the back of the Wheelock text, some of which were recorded in my own classrooms; (5) a detailed curriculum to follow for daily study.
     
What is a class like?

    We start with a quick review of the new material in the chapter. That’s followed by a careful reading of the sentences and a close study of the compositions.

    After years of teaching Latin, I’ve acquired a kind of knack – some of my students call it an irritating knack – for knowing where the difficulties are for beginning students. As you recite your translations, I zero in on these areas and ask you questions designed to solidify your knowledge of the grammar.

I’ve seen a couple of online Wheelock study groups that are free. Can I learn Latin there instead of using a fee-based class like this?

    Absolutely it’s possible. It’s also possible to learn Latin on your own from any number of texts out there. I think, in practice, however, it’s very hard to do. These online study communities often fall apart after a short while. The Internet is littered with abandoned sites that have ceased to operate after the first 10 or 15 chapters. Even the best sites don’t have audio, so you never get to hear Latin or practice it, a critical component, in my opinion, to real mastery.

    They also don’t have anyone expecting you each week! We all know that sometimes our resolve flags, our discipline slips. I’ll be there waiting for you every week, which may be just enough incentive to keep at it. I’ve come to think of my role as 50% professor and 50% coach, the one who pushes you along and sets the pace. Many of my beginning students are self-learners who tried to teach themselves Latin -- some of them many times, but whose labors ended in frustration and confusion. It’s amazing how easy it is to get off track early by making faulty assumptions about what you understand but in fact really don't. That’s true not only of Latin but of any new skill we try to acquire. Even the most diligent student can have this happen. My job is to keep you moving in the right direction and to keep you on schedule.

    Of course, I don’t hear from people who’ve succeeded with these online communities!

What happens if I have to miss a class?

    That does happen. In practice, students who’ve had to miss can get caught up without much trouble. But I won’t be able to give you make-up sessions.  Sometimes by mutual consent, or by the demands of my own schedule, we’ll take a brief pause in our march forward for a couple of weeks.

Gee, I don’t know. Will you have an online information session so that I can see how this works?

    I do. Just send me your email address. I’ll invite you to my “get acquainted” classes. There’s no commitment on your part if you pay a visit and check things out.

When does it start?

    I'm looking to begin in the third week of August 2009. The exact day will depend on the wishes of the members of the class. We'll meet most every week, but on occasion we'll skip a week or two for vacations, holidays, and whatnot. The program consists of at least 50 classes, more if need be, and will last at least 50 calendar weeks, but more if we take time off during the term.

What's the goal?

    At the end of the program, all students will have acquired all the basic grammar and vocabulary of Classical and Vulgate Latin to allow them to read elementary to intermediate texts independently. That is the goal and we do get there. All of my graduated students report that they can read the Vulgate Gospels nearly at sight. .

Sounds good. What do I do now?

    Write me an email to tell me that you’re interested in signing up. It’s first come first served. When the class is filled (ten  seats), I’ll let everyone know. If your information arrives after the class is fully reserved, I’ll return your check.

Other Questions?

    Email me at admin@classicsprofessor.com