Learning Latin with Online Games

Sometimes, I agree with Google. I just googled “Typing Games for Kids” and number one is a page with 20 different typing games on the Educational Games website. It is a great collection of keyboarding games. I only regret that when I learned to type, it was with boring exercises on a typewriter.

But, I don’t agree with Google’s choice of the best Latin learning games. I think the best set of Latin games are on Vocabulary.co.il’s site but Google has them listed on the third page. Here’s where you can help! First, try these games with Latin roots and see if you think they’re fun and effective. If so, you should help Google rate them higher.

Latin was the official language of the Roman Empire. When the Romans conquered so much of Europe, the local languages were extended by the addition of Latin terms. Additionally, in 1066, when the French conquered England, the French terms that were introduced into English (irrigation, plantation, irritation, mansion, etc) often had Latin roots too. As a result, many Latin words, Latin expressions, and Latin roots are used in English. In fact, it is estimated that as much as 20% of the English language has Latin roots.

Examples of Latin roots and prefixes include: micro, macro, acid, acu

Examples of expressions in English from Latin: etcetera, carpe diem

Rather than endlessly memorizing English words, clever students will learn their component parts, their Latin roots. These give them hints on understanding innumerable English words derived from Latin. Latin study provides tools to students to help them learn new vocabulary words. For instance, you could say that Latin roots in English are omnipresent. Omni is a Latin prefix meaning "all" or "every." In other words, Latin roots seem to be everywhere!