Each day at WCA, we are about the business of educating and preparing leaders for Christ. Offering students God’s truth and knowledge of our world, past and present, can only serve to equip them mightily for whatever our Lord calls them to do.

Winston Churchill, beloved Prime Minister of England and rhetoric genius, has been said to have “mobilized the English language and sent it into battle” during World War II. He credited his mastery of words to his training in Latin, which he called a “privilege”. Lovely man, that Mr. Churchill.

           
While Latin may not be spoken conversationally as it once was during the vast reign of the Roman Empire, it has left a living legacy far beyond the realms of rigor mortis. Having a command of our contemporary language involves the study of an ancient one. I have the absolute pleasure of sharing this valuable legacy with your children and would like to share some of the benefits of learning this far-from-dead language.

           
Since a classical approach to education is taken at WCA (and fewer things are more classic than Latin), we see the merit of beginning this study in 3^rd grade. Young children possess a keen capacity for learning new concepts. Their minds are almost sponge-like, able to absorb information at a rate that leaves we adults shaking our heads. Studies have shown that learning Latin stimulates brain activity. This cognitive exercise enables students to learn even unrelated subjects more quickly.

           
Over 60% of the English language is Latin-based. How exciting it is to show children that so much of our vocabulary is rooted in Latin! Familiarity with these stems gives students the skills to decipher more difficult English words. Increased confidence leads to better reading skills and a greater enjoyment of reading.

           
Benefits continue as kids head into high school and college. Latin is the foundation for frequently taught Romance languages like Spanish and French.

           
 Performance on standardized tests, such as the SAT and ACT, is enhanced. Higher scores bring increased opportunities and possibilities of scholarship money. Latin is also the working language for medicine, science, and law. Those pursuing these professional areas will have an advantage with a Latin background.

           
Truthfully, I think all students learning Latin have advantages, both scholastically and spiritually. Being able to communicate well is a discipline and a gift. While Latin may be associated with a crumbled empire, it is my hope that its merits will help equip students at WCA to be leaders, effectively able to share the news of God’s kingdom.