Ecce Romani

Foreign_languageGrades 5–12

About This Curriculum

A reading-based Latin curriculum that teaches language through immersive stories about a Roman family in 80 CE, combining grammar instruction with Roman cultural education.

What makes it unique: Story-driven immersion approach that engages students through the ongoing narrative of the Cornelius family while building Latin proficiency

Ecce Romani: Story-Based Latin Curriculum with Cultural Immersion

Ecce Romani is a reading-based Latin curriculum that teaches language through the engaging story of a Roman family in 80 CE. The program combines immersive Latin passages with explicit grammar instruction and extensive Roman cultural education across multiple grade levels.

Best for

Intermediate students in grades 5-12 seeking a culturally rich, story-based approach to Latin with teachers who have some Latin background

Evaluation Criteria

5 strengths · 1 concern · 1 insufficient evidence

Explicit GrammarStrength

The program includes systematic grammar instruction alongside the reading passages, with dedicated grammar lessons in each chapter.

Reviews mention 'comprehensive grammar and vocabulary lessons' and 'grammar lessons' as part of each chapter structure, with teacher guides providing 'explanations of unusual constructions and new concepts'

Teacher TrainingStrength

Strong teacher support materials are provided, though the program assumes some Latin familiarity from teachers.

Reviews note 'teacher's guide is easy to read and very helpful' but 'assumes the teacher's familiarity with Latin but not to the extent of most other programs'

Cultural KnowledgeStrength

Cultural education is a major strength, with extensive Roman history, customs, and daily life integrated throughout the narrative and supplementary materials.

Reviews highlight 'cultural tidbits,' 'full-color artwork and photographs that bring Roman culture to life,' and 'cultural information' in each chapter, plus supplementary readers on cultural topics

Direct InstructionStrength

The program supports direct instruction through detailed teacher guides with translations, teaching instructions, and explanations of concepts.

Teacher's guide described as 'easy to read and very helpful' with 'translations of readings, answers to exercises, teaching instructions, plus explanations of cultural resource materials'

Comprehensible InputStrength

The curriculum provides abundant comprehensible input through continuous narrative stories about a Roman family, with vocabulary support and contextual clues helping students understand Latin passages.

Reviews describe an immersion approach where students 'figure out Latin texts based on their English knowledge and vocabulary lists' with each chapter containing 'Latin passages centered on a Roman family'

Speaking Listening BalanceConcern

The curriculum appears heavily focused on reading skills with limited evidence of speaking, listening, or writing practice.

Reviews consistently describe it as 'reading-based' and focused on 'Latin passages' and 'comprehension questions' with no mention of oral or listening activities

Retrieval PracticeInsufficient Evidence

Limited evidence of systematic retrieval practice or spaced review, though activity books and online exercises may provide some reinforcement.

Reviews mention 'Language Activity Books' and 'interactive student exercises' but don't describe spaced repetition or cumulative review strategies

Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com, homeschoolchristian.com