The Teaching of Latin as a Second Language in the 12th Century
James J. Murphy
Summary One of the most obvious, yet little studied, facts about Europe High Middle ages is that Latin was in all times and places a foreign language. It had to be learned as an overlay on some other native language like Old French, Irish, or German. How this second acquired? A survey textbooks teaching methods indicates by 12th-century European schoolmasters evolved effective, commonly-used mode instruction utilizing best elements ancient, patristic, insular, Carolingian programs. At heart system sequence Christian (or Christianized) progymnasmata . Both dialectic rhetoric were elementary subjects along with grammar until burgeoning university structure preempted displaced leave basic subject for education. In schools pupils started sounds, not rules, writing speaking skills taught together. This carefully devised educational plan contributed good deal quality literature period.
Historiographia Linguistica