Latin for Beginners - FAQ

Speaking Latin is an independent, premium-quality online Latin school based in Berlin, Germany. It was founded by Luca Quaglierini, a classicist with many years of international teaching experience — both online and in person.

Luca holds a BA in Classics from the University of Pisa (Italy) and an MA in Classics from the Humboldt University of Berlin (Germany).

His teaching approach is shaped by deep linguistic expertise, a love for spoken Latin, and an emphasis on clarity, consistency, and student engagement.

He is also known for the breadth of topics he brings into the classroom — from history and literature to philosophy, science, and everyday life — making each session intellectually rich and engaging.

Speaking Latin works with a small team of instructors, personally trained by Luca to ensure that every course meets the highest pedagogical standards. All courses follow the natural method (Lingua Latina per se illustrata) and are conducted in Latin, with carefully guided support in English where needed.

You’ll need the following materials:

• 📘 Familia Romana (main textbook by Hans Ørberg) – required
• 📗 Exercitia Latina I (exercise book) – required
• 📙 Latine Disco (student’s manual with grammar explanations in English) – optional but highly recommended

These materials can be purchased online from most major retailers or directly from the publisher.

• ⏱ 90 minutes for the live weekly session
• ➕ Ideally, 1–2 hours for homework, especially completing the exercises from Exercitia Latina

Your progress depends largely on the effort you put in outside of class.

As we like to say:

“You reap what you sow — and you earn what you invest.”

The more time you spend reviewing, writing, and actively engaging with Latin each week, the better your results will be.

Because in our experience, we rarely receive inquiries from true absolute beginners. Most learners already have some prior exposure to Latin — whether through Duolingo, school, or self-study. Starting at Chapter 9 is a balanced point: not too easy, not too hard.

Chapters 1–8 introduce:

• the 1st and 2nd declensions
• verbs in the present tense, 3rd person only
• basic sentence structure and core vocabulary

We also expect you to be familiar with key grammatical terms (like “noun,” “case,” or “conjugation”) so that you can follow explanations smoothly.

If you’re coming from a different textbook or learning method, you can usually cover Chapters 1–8 of Familia Romana on your own — either before the course begins or alongside the first few sessions.

We’ll be happy to advise you on the best way to prepare.

→ If you’re unsure whether you’re ready, just book a free consultation call — we’ll figure it out together.

Absolute beginners are welcome — but some preparation is needed. We offer guidance and resources to help you catch up before the course starts. Please contact us early, or schedule a free call to discuss how to get ready.

The full Familia Romana cycle—from roughly Chapter 9 to Chapter 33—typically takes 32 to 40 sessions, depending on group dynamics and pacing.

This corresponds to about one academic year of steady, well-structured progress.

To keep the group stable and to ensure that onboarding new participants is worthwhile for everyone, the course is structured as follows:

• The first three months form a fixed introductory block, paid as a single package. This period allows new participants to settle in, build momentum, and decide whether the method and pace are right for them. It also prevents constant churn and ensures that the group develops together.
• After this initial block, the course continues with the same group on a month-to-month basis. This provides flexibility while preserving continuity for the learners who are committed to the long-term journey.

Also important:

The goal is not to race through the book, but to internalize the material.

This means expanding your vocabulary, mastering fine points of grammar, and steadily building your ability to speak, understand, and think in Latin.

The first module (14 sessions) is €267 — that’s 14 for the price of 12. From January 2026, you can continue with a monthly subscription of €89/month.

We try to keep things as simple and human as possible — no bureaucracy, no hidden rules.
 
If you ever need to stop, just send us a short email.
A few honest lines about when you’d like to leave are completely sufficient.
 
Important:
Your initial enrollment covers a fixed three-month package, which is billed as a single unit and cannot be refunded once the course has begun.

After this initial period, the course continues on a month-to-month basis, and you can cancel at any time, effective at the end of your current billing month. 
 
We value clear communication and mutual respect — you’re not dealing with a mass-market platform here, but with a small team providing a carefully guided, high-quality learning experience. 

Yes — you’re welcome to take a break and rejoin later, as long as you’ve let us know in advance and made arrangements with the course director.
 

A quick note about timing: 

• Your initial enrollment consists of a fixed three-month package. This period cannot be paused, split, or refunded once it has begun.
• After those first three months, the course continues on a month-to-month basis. From that point on, short pauses can usually be arranged if you communicate with us ahead of time.

We’re not a low-commitment subscription service you drift in and out of at will.

You’re in my living room. Please act accordingly.

We put great care into building a stable, respectful learning environment.

If you need to pause, we’ll do our best to find a good solution — just talk to us.

Don’t worry — it happens.

We’re currently expanding our course offerings for the North American time zones, and many of our courses will be offered again in the future.

If you’re struggling to keep up, just let us know.

We’ll find a good solution and can reserve you a spot in the next cycle, so you can continue at a pace that fits your schedule and life situation.

Absolutely.

If the current course turns out to be too fast, too slow, or simply not the right fit, we’ll work with you to find a better match.

Just talk to us — we’ll make it work.

We’re flexible, as long as you’re committed.

Yes — in principle, you can join at any time, depending on your background and the group’s progress.

Just book a free consultation call so we can assess your situation and help you find the right entry point.

→ Schedule your free call here

Are video recordings included in the course?

Yes and no. Recordings are provided occasionally as a courtesy and upon request when a student misses a live session due to illness or an unforeseen event. 

Can I follow the course fully through video recordings?

No. 

Our courses are designed for live participation, as the learning method relies on interaction, speaking practice, and immediate feedback. 

Recordings are not an alternative format and cannot replace active attendance. 

How many recordings will I receive?

Recordings are offered for individual missed sessions only upon request. 

They are not provided on a continuous or automated basis. 

How long are recordings available?

Any recording you receive will be available for a limited time and only for the period in which you are enrolled in the course. 

Can I request recordings for multiple past weeks?

No. 

Recordings are intended to bridge an occasional absence, not to follow the course asynchronously or retroactively. 

Can I request recordings instead of attending the live class?

No. 

Recordings do not constitute a valid form of regular participation. 

What if I cannot attend the live classes for a longer period?

If you cannot attend consistently, the best option is to pause and join a future course when your schedule allows regular participation again. 

Are recordings guaranteed?

No. 

Recordings are offered at the instructor’s discretion and as a courtesy, not as a contractual entitlement. 

Can I receive a refund if I cannot attend the live sessions?

No. 

Course fees cover the availability of the course seat for the full duration of the module, not individual attendance. 

What if I miss several weeks in a row?

If you miss multiple sessions, we strongly recommend rejoining a future course to ensure a coherent learning experience. Please reach out to us to discuss any particular situation affecting your participation in the course and we will explore alternative solutions. 

In some cases, we may offer a credit toward a later course, depending on your enrollment status.