Much of the English language—and Western history in general—owes a great deal to ancient civilizations and the language that many of them spoke: Latin. The Royal Fireworks Online Learning Community invites your child to explore this important language with online Latin courses by author and experienced instructor Dr. Frances Spielhagen.

What sets Dr. Spielhagen’s courses and books apart from those of others is that she approaches Latin not as an exercise in memory but rather as an invitation to learn through reading simple narratives and using an inductive approach to derive meaning from the words. It provides kids with a great way to learn language naturally.

Learning Latin offers many benefits to students. Some of them may even be surprising. They include:

• Enhanced Language Skills: Latin improves vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension, benefiting proficiency in English and other Romance languages.
• Critical Thinking: Latin’s structured nature fosters analytical skills and logical reasoning, enhancing academic performance across subjects.
• Academic Advantages: Proficiency in Latin is highly valued in academic settings, particularly in fields such as law, medicine, science, and literature. Latin students often perform better on standardized tests and have a competitive edge in college admissions and scholarship opportunities.
• Cognitive Benefits: Learning Latin stimulates brain development, improving memory, concentration, and cognitive function.
• Cultural Enrichment: Students who study Latin through Royal Fireworks also get to explore the rich history, literature, and philosophy of ancient Rome, gaining a deeper appreciation for classical civilization.

The RFOLC is offering five levels of online Latin courses for the 2024-25 school year. Part I takes place in the fall semester, followed by Part II in the spring semester for students new to the language. For students with previous Latin experience, we offer Part III in the fall and Part IV in the spring. Part V, offered in the fall, is a more intermediate-level course. Read on for details!

🌿 Introduction to Latin, Part I (Fall Semester)
Dates: September 3 – December 17, 2024
Student Ages: 8–13
Class Meetings: Tuesdays, 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $500
🌟 Course Highlights: This course introduces the basics of Latin through the Royal Fireworks series Fabulae Caeciliae. Students will develop a foundational understanding of Latin through reading a simple narrative, setting the stage for further study.

🏛️ Introduction to Latin, Part II (Spring Semester)
Dates: January 14 – May 13, 2025
Student Ages: 8–13
Class Meetings: Tuesdays, 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $500
🌟 Course Highlights: An extension of Part I, this course continues to build on Latin fundamentals. Students with basic Latin knowledge can join this course directly without completing Part I.

🏺 Introduction to Latin, Part III (Fall Semester)
Dates: September 5 – December 19, 2024
Student Ages: 9–15
Class Meetings: Thursdays, 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $500
🌟 Course Highlights: Building on the previous levels, Part III delves deeper into the Latin language and literature. Students will further enhance their reading and comprehension skills.

📜 Introduction to Latin, Part IV (Spring Semester)
Dates: January 16 – May 15, 2025
Student Ages: 9–15
Class Meetings: Thursdays, 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $500
🌟 Course Highlights: Part IV of the Latin series provides advanced instruction and prepares students for more complex Latin studies in the future.

📄 Latin, Part V (Fall Semester)
Dates: September 4 – December 18, 2024
Student Ages: 10–16
Class Meetings: Wednesdays, 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $500
🌟 Course Highlights: In Part V, students will explore the Latin language and its conventions, focusing on traditional Latin grammar constructions. They will read and discuss Latin selections, starting at a basic level.

Fran Spielhagen will also be teaching a fun Latin course in our Summer Session, so be sure to check it out!

Visit the Courses page to enroll today. And as always, if you have questions or need assistance in selecting a course, feel free to call us at (845) 726-4444. We’re here to help! Our phone lines are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

Happy learning!
– The RFOLC Team