3 – 14 August 2026, weekdays: in person only
Instructor: Patrick Owens, PhD
People well versed in Latin, but without experience in speaking the language, will engage in activities and conversations in spoken Latin, along with proficient speakers.
Teachers will learn techniques for actively teaching the fundamentals of Latin morphology, syntax, and vocabulary in spoken Latin by participating in education-in-action.
Students will confront the foundational morphology, syntax and vocabulary of the Latin language through a communicative approach.
Aims
At the end of this course the participants will have:
- developed the ability to hear, comprehend and respond to instructions in Latin;
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gained the facility to carry-on conversations in Latin;
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gained greater ease with reading Latin texts from actively speaking the language.
Hours: 4 hours, weekday mornings, including breaks.
The course anticipates the student will spend 60 hours in personal reading and study.
Cost: £595
Location: Liturgy Institute London (at Ealing Abbey)
74 Castlebar Road Ealing London, W5 2DD, UK
Telephone: +44 (0)20 8194 2320
For further details or to register contact the Institute:
E-mail Clare Cogswell, the Registrar, at this linked E-mail address.
Location on Google Maps is found here.
Previous knowledge
People should already be well versed in Latin. They may have no experience in speaking the language, or they may already be proficient speakers of Latin.
Learning Activities
This is an immersive and intensive course: Latin will be the medium of instruction. The class will include a significant active component to encourage students to think in Latin by responding to prompts in Latin and exercising Latin conversation. In-class exercises may take the form of language-learning games, dictation practice, and oral drills.
The class moves quickly, and the material is cumulative. It is, therefore, imperative that students keep up with class assignments and attendance. Regular attendance is necessary, and students should limit their outside responsibilities in order to allow for considerable daily preparation. There is an expectation of 3-4 hours of study and preparation outside of class daily.
Bibliography of recommened resources
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Hans Ørberg, Lingua Latīna per sē Illūstrāta: Famila Rōmāna. Vivarium Novum, 2019
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Hans Ørberg, Colloquia Persōnārum. Vivarium Novum, 2019
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Hans Ørberg, Exercitia Latīna. Vivarium Novum, 2019
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Jeanne Neumann, Companion to Familia Romana. Focus, 2016
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Roberto Carfagni, Nova exercitia latina. Schola Latina, 2015
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Reginaldus Foster and Daniel McCarthy, Ossa Latinitatis. CUA, 2015.
Evaluation description
You may audit the course without taking an exam or receiving a mark for the course.
If you you need to submit a mark for the course for valuation toward a programme of study at KU Leuven or at the Pontifical Institute of Liturgy at Sant’Anselmo or another academic institution, the evaluation comprises the following assessment.
30% Participation, preparation, and homework. Students are expected to have read and studied the assigned text prior to class and to have reviewed the vocabulary and grammar therein. You should be prepared to answer questions about the material under consideration. Homework will be assigned daily and will be randomly collected for a grade.
40% Quizzes will be given with or without notice.
30% Final exam. The final is cumulative for the entire course.
Other opportunities
Intermediate Latin is offered online 13 – 24 July, weekdays, in preparation for this course in spoken Latin.
Intermediate and Advanced Latin are offered in person during the week following the spoken Latin, 17 – 28 August 2026.
Reading Ovid, Metamorphoses, is offered in person during the week following spoken Latin, 17 – 28 August 2026.
Note: Students must be over 18 years of age.
Limited accommodation is available through Ealing Abbey house for guests or other religious houses or hotels or B&Bs nearby.
Contact Clare, the Registrar at this linked email address.
Page created on 9 December 2025 by DM.