How to Learn Latin: 5 Things You Need to Do

A new Conclave has just taken place at the Vatican, drawing the world’s attention to the secretive rituals, Latin chants, and timeless traditions at the heart of the Catholic Church. Whether you’re fascinated by the papal process or you simply want to understand the language echoing through the halls of the Sistine Chapel, there’s never been a better moment to ask: why learn Latin?

Latin isn’t just the voice of ancient Rome or the Church—it’s the key to unlocking centuries of literature, philosophy, law, and science. But learning Latin feels like a daunting task for many. Should you memorise endless grammar tables? Or start reading Cicero from day one?

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In this article, we’ll show you how to learn Latin in five essential steps, Whether you want to learn Latin free online, with a teacher, or using books, these strategies will guide your journey toward fluency.

1. Define Your Goals and Choose a Learning Method

Before you crack open a textbook, take a moment to reflect: why learn Latin? Your answer will shape everything that follows. Do you want to read Virgil in the original? Sing Gregorian chant? Understand Church documents? Prepare for law or medical school?

Why Goals Matter

Latin has different forms—Classical, Ecclesiastical, Medieval—each with variations in pronunciation, vocabulary, and usage. Knowing why you’re learning Latin helps you choose the right form and materials. If you aim to read ancient literature, Classical Latin is your target. If you’re drawn to Church liturgy, Ecclesiastical Latin is your path.

Writing down your goal keeps you motivated, especially during tough grammar lessons or unfamiliar texts. Hang it on your wall or notebook as a daily reminder.

Choosing the Right Method

Once you know your goal, it’s time to pick a learning approach. Some popular methods include:

• Grammar-Translation Method: Focuses on learning grammar rules and translating texts. Recommended for students who enjoy structure and want to understand how Latin works logically.
• Reading-Based Immersion: Uses Latin-only texts (like Lingua Latina per se Illustrata) to learn through context, similar to how we acquire modern languages. This method helps you read fluently without translating every word.
• Combination Approach: Many learners benefit from mixing grammar study with extensive reading, plus some spoken practice to internalise structures.

Each method has pros and cons. At Language Trainers, our expert Latin teachers will be able to tell you what is the best approach for you!

2. Build a Strong Foundation in Grammar and Vocabulary

One of the biggest hurdles for beginners wondering how to learn Latin is getting to grips with Latin grammar. Latin is an inflected language, which means that the endings of words change to show their role in a sentence. In English, we use word order to figure out meaning (e.g. the girl sees the dog vs. the dog sees the girl). In Latin, meaning depends mostly on those endings.

But don’t let this scare you—by focusing on the essential patterns, you’ll unlock the system that makes Latin logical and even elegant.

Start with the Basics: Cases

In Latin, each noun changes its form depending on its role in the sentence. These roles are called cases, and here are the five most important ones, using puella (girl) as the example:

• Nominative Case: Used for the subject of the sentence—the person or thing doing the action.
  Example: puella ambulat — “the girl walks.”

• Genitive Case: Indicates possession, often translated as “of” or with an apostrophe-s.
  Example: liber puellae — “the girl’s book.”

• Dative Case: Marks the indirect object, usually the recipient of something, translated as “to” or “for.”
  Example: dono puellae librum — “I give the book to the girl.”

• Accusative Case: Used for the direct object—the person or thing directly affected by the action.
  Example: puellam video — “I see the girl.”

• Ablative Case: Expresses means, manner, place, or movement away from something, translated as “by,” “with,” or “from.”
  Example: cum puella ambulo — “I walk with the girl.”

By learning the endings for each case (which vary depending on whether the noun is masculine, feminine, or neuter), you’ll soon be able to read simple sentences without guessing the word order.

A great way to practise is by writing short sentences for each case or using flashcards that quiz you on the meaning of endings.

Conquer Verb Conjugations

In Latin, verbs change their endings based on who is doing the action, when it happens, and how it happens. These patterns are called conjugations. Latin verbs are grouped into four main conjugations, and each one follows a different pattern.

Here’s a simple breakdown using the verb amare (to love), in the present tense:

• First person singular (I): The ending is -o.
  Example: amo — “I love.”

• Second person singular (you): The ending is -s.
  Example: amas — “you love.”

• Third person singular (he, she, or it): The ending is -t.
  Example: amat — “he/she/it loves.”

• First person plural (we): The ending is -mus.
  Example: amamus — “we love.”

• Second person plural (you all): The ending is -tis.
  Example: amatis — “you (all) love.”

• Third person plural (they): The ending is -nt.
  Example: amant — “they love.”

At first, focus on mastering the present tense of regular verbs. Then gradually add the imperfect (was/were doing) and future (will do) tenses. Once you’re confident, tackle the perfect system (completed past actions) and irregular verbs.

Practise by translating simple sentences and saying conjugations aloud until they come naturally.

Build Core Vocabulary Strategically

Memorising random long lists won’t get you far. Instead, focus on the most common Latin words—the ones you’ll see over and over in texts.

Here’s a handy starter set of essential words to learn in your first few weeks:

• et – means and. It links words and phrases together, like puella et amicus (the girl and the friend).

• non – means not. It’s used to negate a verb: non videt = “he/she does not see.”

• est – means is. It’s the third-person singular form of esse (to be): puella est amica = “the girl is a friend.”

• sum – means I am, the first-person form of esse: sum puella = “I am a girl.”

• puella – means girl. This is a feminine noun you’ll encounter a lot.

• amicus – means friend. It’s a masculine noun: amicus est bonus = “the friend is good.”

• habet – means he/she has. It’s a form of habere: puella librum habet = “the girl has a book.”

• videt – means he/she sees. From the verb videre: amicus puellam videt = “the friend sees the girl.”

• in – means in or on. This preposition works with either the ablative or accusative case depending on whether it’s describing location or movement.

• cum – means with. It’s always followed by the ablative case: cum amico = “with a friend.”

Here is a simple sentence combining some of these words:

Puella amicum videt in horto = “The girl sees (her) friend in the garden.”

Learning core words like these helps you read real Latin sooner, without always reaching for a dictionary. Tools like Anki, Quizlet, and one-to-one lessons with a Latin language teacher are great ways to practise.

3. Learn Latin Through Reading and Listening

One of the best answers to the question “how to learn Latin” is simple: read and listen to Latin as much as possible. Even though Latin is called a “dead” language, it lives on in thousands of texts, inscriptions, prayers, and songs. Immersing yourself in the language helps you understand grammar and vocabulary in action—not just as abstract rules.

Many beginners make the mistake of waiting too long to read real Latin. But you don’t need to wait until you’ve memorised every declension and verb tense. Start reading simple Latin early, even if you don’t understand everything at first.

Start with Graded Readers and Adapted Texts

A graded reader is a book written in simplified Latin, using controlled vocabulary and grammar. One of the most famous examples is Lingua Latina per se Illustrata, which tells a story entirely in Latin, starting with basic sentences like Roma in Italia est (“Rome is in Italy”) and gradually increasing complexity.

Other useful resources for beginners include:

• Cambridge Latin Course stories (short narratives introducing Roman life and culture)
• Fabulae Syrae (short mythological stories written in simple Latin)
• Latin novellas (modern stories written for learners)

Reading adapted texts gives you exposure to real Latin while staying at a level you can handle. Each time you encounter a word or grammar structure in a story, it sticks in your mind better than from a flashcard.

Listen to Spoken Latin

Many students learning Latin today forget the listening side of the language. But hearing Latin aloud helps you internalise grammar, rhythm, and pronunciation. Even if your goal is reading rather than speaking, listening makes the language feel more natural.

Here are ways to add listening practice:

• Latin Music (e.g., Language Trainers’ Latin-Language Spotify playlist curated by our expert teachers)
• Latin podcasts (e.g., Quomodo Dicitur?, Sermones Raedarii)
• Audiobooks of Latin texts (some Lingua Latina chapters are available as audio on Spotify

Try listening to a short passage while following along with the written text. Then listen again without reading. Gradually, you’ll start recognising words and structures by ear.

4. Learn Latin One-to-One With a Teacher

While it’s possible to start learning Latin on your own, many students reach a point where they need extra guidance. Latin grammar is detailed and layered, and reading authentic texts can feel overwhelming without support. That’s why learning Latin one-to-one with a teacher is one of the most effective ways to progress.

At Language Trainers, we connect you with experienced Latin tutors who tailor lessons to your goals, level, and interests. Whether you want to read Classical literature, understand Ecclesiastical Latin, or improve your translation skills, your teacher will design a plan that meets you where you are and moves you forward.

Why Learn Latin With Language Trainers?

A private Latin teacher offers far more than explanations. They help you create a personalised study routine that fits your schedule and learning style, so you stay consistent week after week. Consistency is key when mastering Latin declensions, conjugations, and vocabulary—small, regular sessions build fluency faster than occasional cramming.

Your teacher will:

• Guide you through complex grammar with clear, step-by-step explanations
• Answer your questions in real time, preventing confusion from piling up
• Correct mistakes immediately, helping you avoid bad habits
• Provide targeted reading and practice materials based on your goals
• Keep you accountable and motivated, so you maintain steady progress

When you learn with Language Trainers, you’re not just following a textbook—you’re learning Latin with expert support, in a way that’s personalised, flexible, and effective. Whether you prefer online lessons or in-person classes in your city, we match you with a tutor who brings Latin to life.

Ready to start? Contact Language Trainers today to schedule your first Latin lessons in Liverpool, London, and other cities to unlock the language of ancient Rome, the Church, and centuries of Western culture.

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Before we move on to the next article, here is a useful section with frequently asked questions about learning Latin.

How to Learn Latin: FAQ

1.   Why should I learn Latin?

You should learn Latin because it improves your understanding of grammar, expands your English and Romance language vocabulary, and gives access to classical literature, philosophy, and historical texts. Latin is valuable for students of law, medicine, theology, and anyone interested in Roman culture or the roots of Western civilisation.

2.   How long does it take to learn Latin?

It typically takes 600–800 hours of study to achieve reading proficiency in Latin. This depends on your study routine, previous language experience, and learning goals. With consistent practice and guidance from a teacher, many learners read simple texts within six months to a year.

3.   What are the benefits of learning Latin?

The benefits of learning Latin include a deeper understanding of English vocabulary, improved grammar skills, access to classical literature, and insight into Roman history and culture. Latin also strengthens logical thinking and helps students in fields like law, medicine, theology, and linguistics.

4.   How can I learn Latin online for free?

You can learn Latin online for free by exploring resources like Language Trainer’s Spotify playlist with Latin songs. To gain structured guidance, sign up with Language Trainers for a free trial Latin lesson and experience personalised, one-to-one learning with an expert tutor.

5.   Is Latin hard to learn?

Latin is moderately hard to learn due to its grammar complexity, including noun cases and verb conjugations. However, its regular patterns make it logical and consistent. Learners with English or Romance language backgrounds often find Latin easier because of familiar vocabulary and grammatical similarities.