Latin homework: help that helps you learn

In short

With Latin homework, a ready-made solution hardly helps: by the next test at the latest, whatever you could not do yourself is missing. Hints that show the next step are better. That is how Disce ludens works: many exercises have graded hints first, and they are free. The solution is there too, but it costs error points.

Typical Latin homework and how to tackle it

Learning vocabulary: in small portions and with revision, not everything the evening before.
Producing forms: first get the rule clear (declension, conjugation), then produce and check each form yourself.
Identifying sentence elements: look for the predicate first, then the subject, then the other parts by their endings.
Translating: sentence by sentence with a method: predicate, subject, sentence elements, constructions, then good English. The method.

Hints instead of solutions

Disce ludens has graded hints for many of its exercises, written by Thomas Wegener for his own classes. They show, for example, which case a word is in or how a form is built. If you still don’t know after the hints, you can reveal the solution – depending on the lesson it costs one or three error points. That way thinking for yourself pays off.

For looking things up, the app has all forms of the words from Disce ludens under “Grammatik” (grammar). Typing in a form such as ceperunt takes you to the word and its analysis. Looking things up is locked during an exercise. The app is in German: exercises, hints and meanings are German, as in the original.

What parents can do

Agree on a fixed time for homework, ideally not late in the evening.
Don’t give the answer, ask instead: “What is the predicate here?”
Test vocabulary – you don’t need any Latin of your own for that.
If problems keep coming back, talk to the teacher. More for parents.

Try it

A real exercise from Disce ludens:

Disce ludens I · Lesson 21 · Parts of speech trainer, card 2

Magistri saepe servi Graeci, non viri liberi erant.

Which part of speech is marked?

What Disce ludens does – and what it doesn’t

What Disce ludens does

Gives hints first and the solution only for error points.
Shows all forms of a word for looking up.
Practises vocabulary, forms and sentence elements in short sessions.

What it doesn’t do

Does not do textbook homework for you.
Does not translate texts automatically.
Does not replace asking questions in class.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I get help with Latin homework?

From your teacher, classmates, a grammar book – and a learning app that gives hints instead of telling you the answer. Disce ludens has graded hints for many exercises.

Is it bad to copy Latin homework?

For your mark in the next test, yes: whatever you have not practised yourself will be missing there. It is better to reach the answer yourself with the help of hints.

How long should Latin homework take?

That is up to the school. For daily practice alongside homework, 15 to 20 minutes are enough.