Oxford Latin Course Part III

Description

Oxford Latin Course Part III

Oxford Latin Course Part III (Second Edition).  The OLC successfully combines elements of the reading-based and traditional approaches. It was my main text for first- and second-year Latin classes for many years.

The readings are both extensive and accessible, giving students ample opportunity to build their fluency in reading Latin. At the same time, their content provides a lot of relevant cultural, historical, and literary context that most adolescent students simply don’t have today.

As for the grammar lessons, they are clear and not overly complicated. And while OLC doesn’t match the rigor or thoroughness of a more traditional series such as Wheelock or Jenney, the textbook presents grammar topics in a more systematic and comprehensive way than is typical of reading-based texts.

Not Only for Younger Adolescents  

Part III, as you would expect, is more advanced than Parts I and II. The readings are quite substantial.  Some of them include unadapted excerpts from Horace’s poetry (the life and Career of the poet Horace provide the focus for the series).

The grammar is likewise more substantial.  The first chapter in the book introduces the subjunctive mood.  In other words, this volume’s grammar lessons start in about the same place as Jenney’s Second Year Latin or Book II of Latin for the New Millennium. As in the earlier book, the grammatical explanations are clear and accessible.  Students will get plenty of practice with new concepts through the generous reading passages.

Most (but not all) of the chapters in Oxford Latin Course Part III do feature Kathy Balme’s infamous introductory comic strips.  Aside from that, while the first two books are most suitable for younger adolescents, Part III is a good choice not only for students who have come up through the earlier volumes, but also more mature students who are looking for practice with intermediate level Latin readings.

Acceptable Condition

The copies available here are paperbacks that have done honorable service for a number of years in a high school classroom.  They would be listed as in Acceptable Condition on the book selling websites. Accordingly, they show a fair amount of wear, particularly to the covers. They have all their pages (unlike newer paperback reprints, these hardcovers were made to last).  The pages have some writing and marking, but it doesn’t deface or obscure the text.

I’m asking $24.00 a copy here, including shipping.