"I was recently on a tour of Latin America, and the only regret I have was that I didn't study Latin harder in school so that I could converse with those people." Al Gore, Environmentalist and Politician
Many Filipino students and language enthusiasts may feel the same regret and wish they had the opportunity to study Latin at school. This raises an interesting question: how are ancient languages such as Latin taught in schools in the Philippines today? Over the years, education systems have generally prioritized modern and widely spoken foreign languages, while ancient languages have received less attention. In the Philippines, students are more likely to encounter languages such as English and Filipino as part of their formal education, while Latin is usually studied through specialized programs, universities, private lessons, or independent learning. Latin was the language of the ancient Romans and remained an important lingua franca of European scholarship, religion, and intellectual life for centuries. Although it is now considered a "dead language" because it no longer has a native-speaking population, Latin continues to influence many modern languages, particularly Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Romanian. Learning Latin can therefore provide students with a better understanding of vocabulary, grammar, and word origins in many European languages. It can also be useful for students interested in history, literature, philosophy, law, theology, or classical studies. For Filipino students who want to study Latin, however, finding a formal school program may be more difficult than finding classes in more commonly taught languages. University courses, specialized language programs, online resources, and private tutors can provide alternative ways to learn. There is still debate about the value of teaching ancient languages in modern education. Some argue that Latin is no longer necessary in today's world, while others believe that studying it develops an understanding of language, history, and classical culture that remains valuable. Superprof takes a closer look at this debate and explores how students in the Philippines can discover and learn Latin today.
Learning Latin in the Philippines
Unlike in the United Kingdom, Latin was never a core subject in mainstream Philippine schools alongside Mathematics, Science, and English. The Philippine education system has traditionally placed greater emphasis on Filipino and English, as well as other subjects considered more directly relevant to students' academic and professional development.
Latin is more commonly encountered in specialized areas of education, particularly in Catholic schools, seminaries, universities, classical studies, theology, and other fields where knowledge of the language can be useful. This is partly connected to the country's long Catholic tradition, where Latin has historically played an important role in religious texts and liturgy.
For students interested in languages, Latin can also provide an interesting way to understand the origins of many words used in English, Filipino, and other languages. It is particularly useful for exploring the roots of Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Romanian, as well as much of the academic and scientific vocabulary used in English.
However, because Latin is not generally part of the mainstream Philippine curriculum, students who want to study it may need to look beyond their regular school subjects. Universities, specialized institutions, private tutors, and online learning platforms can all provide opportunities to discover the language.
So, rather than asking how Latin was taught in Philippine schools before a specific curriculum reform, the more relevant question is: why has Latin remained a specialized subject in the Philippines, and where can students learn it today?
Some criticisms include:
- Latin teaching had changed little from Victorian times and was purely linguistic,
- The traditional method focused on writing translations from English to Latin and from Latin to English, and Latin prose composition,
- Latin classes were only offered to the intellectually gifted and this left out many students from the modern secondary school system and this created a sense of elitism among the students.
This way of teaching Latin was unattractive to students and teachers alike and lead to an exodus of Latin in secondary schools. Many, given the choice, would opt out of Latin classes. A classic old adage whispered by many bored students goes like this:
"Latin is a language as dead as dead can be. It killed the ancient Romans, now it's killing me."
Ouch! Sorry, Julius Caesar. Because of the student's disinterest, the reform took drastic measures and cut traditional Latin classes from many state schools and only left them for those attending a very select few private schools. This left many schools without the Latin option and the ability to learn more about ancient languages. Find out how you can learn Latin online!
How Ancient Latin Should Be Taught in Schools
Students, parents and educators alike all believe that British pupils are prejudiced towards Latin because of the archaic way it was taught in the past. This is completely understandable; nobody wants to put a diligent effort forward if they feel it is something they will never use in their lives. Also, how boring is it to recite and copy Latin grammar from an ancient textbook? These thoughts and prejudices are unfair because learning Latin can be so much fun and there are many useful reasons to learn Latin:
- Latin provides a deeper understanding and fluency of the romance languages (French, Spanish, Italian etc.),
- Half of the English vocabulary is made up of Latin words and roots,
- A more satisfying study of ancient Roman history.
There is good news: Latin is making a comeback! In recent years, the education board and government officials alike have realized the importance of implementing Latin classes back into state schools. In the Philippines, there has not been a comparable national initiative to introduce or revive Latin as a standard subject in primary and secondary schools. Unlike the UK, where Latin has been the subject of ongoing debate in the education system, Latin remains a specialized area of study in the Philippines. Latin is more commonly found in seminaries, Catholic educational institutions, universities, and specialized classical or religious studies. Students who study theology, philosophy, history, or related subjects may encounter Latin as part of their academic program. There is nevertheless a case for introducing Latin to more Filipino students. Supporters of classical language education argue that learning Latin can strengthen students' understanding of grammar, vocabulary, literature, history, and the origins of many modern words. For Filipino students interested in exploring the language, Latin does not have to be limited to formal classroom education. Private tutors, online courses, universities, and educational websites can all provide opportunities to learn Latin at different levels. So while Latin may not be "coming to a classroom near you" as a mainstream Philippine school subject, students who are curious about this ancient language have more opportunities to study it today than ever before. Now comes the question of many concerned parents, how will my 10-year old learn Latin and will he enjoy it? Students, especially younger ones, need to be taught in a stimulating and engaging way. Education World states that anything that stimulates a pupil's mind will encourage them to take an interest and thus learn about the subject. This advice is applicable for all subjects taught in school, Latin included. Check for Latin tutor on Superprof. 
If the student is not interested in the subject they are being taught and they do not feel stimulated then learning will not take place.
Another key factor is the teacher. If the teacher is unenthusiastic and bored with teaching the Latin verbs, grammar and the six cases, the student will feel the same and not learn anything useful. The best teachers are the ones who inspire and say, Carpe Diem!
Teaching Resources
Games are always recommended when teaching student's about grammar and vocabulary. Latin can prove to be very difficult and if the students feel that what they are learning is not useful they will get discouraged and their interest in the subject will fade. Therefore, games need to be played! Latin Alive! has some great teaching resources to use in the classroom. There are five highly entertaining and recommended games that teach Latin vocabulary to primary school students:
- Latin Hangman (played like regular hangman except with Latin vocabulary),
- Spelling Bee (no explanation required, played like normal Spelling Bee. Has student's work on listening skills),
- Around the World (check out the link above),
- Pictionary (a classic game known all around the world!),
- VINCO (like BINGO but with a V and a C).
Latin classes should be taught in an interactive and engaging way. These Superprof suggestions are not limited to Latin teachers in the UK, but can also help educators in the Philippines and around the world who want to make the study of lingua Latina more accessible and enjoyable. Whether students are discovering Latin for the first time or already have some knowledge of the language, lessons can combine grammar, vocabulary, history, literature, games, quizzes, and conversation activities to make learning more dynamic. For Filipino students, an engaging approach can be particularly useful because Latin is not a common subject in mainstream schools. A creative Latin tutor can introduce the language through topics that connect it to English, Spanish, science, medicine, law, religion, and Philippine history, helping students understand why Latin remains relevant today. What are the best apps for learning Latin?
The Latin Option in the Philippines
In order to understand classical Latin texts, students first need a strong foundation in language and grammar.
A solid understanding of English and Filipino grammar can be extremely helpful when learning Latin. Studying how sentences are structured, how words change their form, and how vocabulary develops can make it easier to approach an ancient language. Unlike the UK, the Philippines does not have a GCSE equivalent specifically dedicated to Latin or Classics. Latin is not generally part of the core subjects in the K–12 curriculum. Instead, students who want to study the language usually encounter it through specialized programs, universities, Catholic institutions, seminaries, or private and online lessons. The term "Classics" generally refers to the study of the languages, literature, history, culture, and civilizations of the ancient Greek and Roman worlds. For Filipino students interested in this field, possible areas of study include:
- Latin
- Classical Greek
- Classical Civilization
- Ancient History
These subjects can provide an interesting foundation for students interested in history, literature, philosophy, theology, law, languages, and archaeology. Although Latin is not a standard option in Philippine primary and secondary schools, students who want to explore it can still find engaging ways to learn. A good Latin tutor can combine grammar and vocabulary with classical texts, historical context, games, quizzes, and interactive exercises, making an otherwise unfamiliar language much more accessible. For Filipino learners, studying Latin can also reveal connections with languages they may already know. Its influence can be seen particularly clearly in Spanish and other Romance languages, as well as in a large amount of English academic and scientific vocabulary. Follow these 5 tips to learn Latin faster!
Studying Latin in the Philippines
Unlike the UK, the Philippines does not have an OCR GCSE Latin qualification or a comparable national Latin examination. Latin is not part of the standard K–12 curriculum, so students interested in the language generally need to explore specialized programs through universities, Catholic institutions, seminaries, or private tutors. A Latin course in the Philippines can nevertheless follow some of the same principles as established international Latin programs. Students can develop their knowledge of Latin grammar, vocabulary, syntax, and reading comprehension, while also discovering the literature, history, and culture of Ancient Rome. A well-structured Latin program could include several areas:
- Language: Students build their vocabulary and learn essential grammatical structures, including noun declensions, verb conjugations, cases, and sentence construction.
- Latin literature: Students can read adapted or original passages from Roman authors and explore works by writers such as Virgil, Ovid, Cicero, Catullus, and Pliny.
- Roman history and culture: Learning about the Roman Republic and Empire alongside the language provides context for understanding the texts and the society that produced them.
- Literature and culture: Students can examine ancient sources to discover Roman beliefs, customs, relationships, politics, and everyday life.
Studying Latin can therefore be much more than memorizing vocabulary and grammatical rules. By reading Roman authors in their original language, students can gain a deeper understanding of ancient history, literature, philosophy, and Roman culture. There will always be debate about whether Latin should have a greater place in modern education. Since it is a challenging language and requires consistent practice, some students may prefer to focus on more commonly taught languages. However, the difficulty can also make mastering Latin particularly rewarding. If you are finding Latin grammar, vocabulary, or translation difficult, working with a private tutor can provide additional support. A tutor can adapt lessons to your level, explain difficult concepts, and give you extra practice with texts and exercises. The lingua Latina may be ancient, but for students in the Philippines who are passionate about languages and history, it can still offer a fascinating and rewarding learning experience. Read on for more information about learning Latin...
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