Frequently Asked Questions

Latin language and literature are the heart of the program, from the first declension to the most demanding advanced texts. Instruction follows students from their initial encounter with the language through intermediate and advanced reading, and on to AP Latin and beyond for those who wish to go further.

The curriculum is complemented by classical humanities — Roman history, the intellectual traditions of the ancient world, and the long reach of classical thought into Western law, philosophy, and letters. This is not ornament. It is the context without which the texts cannot be properly understood.

Emerson Latin also prepares students for the full range of international Latin and classical humanities competitions, at every level of difficulty. Students have entered and distinguished themselves in competitions open to middle and high school students worldwide, and the program is designed to give serious competitors every advantage.

The aim, in all of this, is not merely to equip students with a credential. It is to bring them into genuine contact with some of the finest minds in human history — in the language those minds actually used.

All instruction is conducted in English. Students need not have any prior knowledge of any language other than English to participate fully in the program.

This reflects both the nature of the subject — Latin is its own medium — and the linguistic tradition of classical education as it has been practiced in the English-speaking world for several centuries.

All sessions are conducted live via Zoom. This arrangement has proved entirely suited to the demands of classical instruction: the texts are the same, the discussion is the same, and the attention required of the student is no less than it would be in a physical classroom.

It also permits Emerson Latin to work with students anywhere in the world without any compromise to the quality of the program.

Emerson Latin offers two formats:

• Small Group Classes — structured courses enrolling between four and ten students. These run across four terms — Fall, Winter, Spring, and Trinity — each comprising ten sessions. Regular summer courses likewise run for ten sessions; intensive summer courses vary in structure, with some meeting twice weekly and others as frequently as five sessions per week. These are well-suited to students who benefit from a shared learning environment and the intellectual energy that a carefully chosen group can generate.
• One-on-One Tutorials — individual sessions arranged directly between the instructor and the family, scheduled at mutually agreed times. These allow for a degree of pace and focus that a group setting cannot always provide, and are particularly suited to students with specific goals or an unusually serious commitment to the subject.

The appropriate format will depend on the student's level, temperament, and aims, all of which can be discussed before enrollment.

Not necessarily. Students beginning from no prior knowledge of Latin are welcome, provided they meet the general prerequisites below. Emerson Latin works with students at various stages — from those encountering the language for the first time to those who have studied Latin elsewhere and wish to continue at a more exacting level.

What matters most is not what a student already knows, but the seriousness with which they are prepared to engage.

Students should have a sufficient command of written English to follow instruction, engage with texts, and complete written work without difficulty. A solid grasp of basic English grammar — parts of speech, sentence structure, the relationship between subject and verb — is particularly important, as it forms the conceptual foundation upon which Latin grammar is built.

Beyond the technical, Emerson Latin looks for students who are genuinely curious and willing to do the work. The program makes no concessions to passivity. Students who approach the subject in earnest will find it rewarding; those who do not will find it slow.

Emerson Latin works primarily with students between the ages of ten and eighteen — upper elementary, middle school, and high school — though students of all ages are welcome. Adults who have come to Latin later in life and wish to pursue it seriously are equally at home in the program.

Age is, in any case, a less reliable guide than readiness. Emerson Latin has had students as young as second grade enter international classical competitions and return with top prizes and the highest honors — competing alongside, and outperforming, students many years their senior. The program meets students where they are, and takes them as far as they are willing to go.

Families wishing to inquire about enrollment are invited to visit the Admissions page, where they may schedule a free consultation. Those who prefer to speak directly are welcome to call or send a message via KakaoTalk (in Korean) or Telegram (in English).

An administrator will follow up to discuss the program, determine the appropriate format and level, and answer any remaining questions before a place is offered. Enrollment is confirmed upon receipt of payment in accordance with the applicable terms. A seat is not reserved by inquiry alone.

Tuition rates are provided upon inquiry and vary according to the format — small group or one-on-one — and the duration of the program enrolled. Emerson Latin does not publish a fixed price list, as the appropriate arrangement depends on the student's level and needs, which are best determined through a brief conversation.

Families are welcome to ask about fees at any point in the enrollment process, and will receive a clear and complete account of all applicable costs before any commitment is made.

Emerson Latin's fees are not inexpensive. They are set at a level consistent with the quality and nature of the instruction — small classes, close attention, and a curriculum drawn from the deepest tradition of Western education.

Families familiar with the rates charged by established language institutes, private academies, and specialist tutors in their own cities will find Emerson Latin's fees reasonable within that context. What differs is the subject and the manner of teaching. Latin is not a language of immediate commercial utility, and the instruction here does not pretend otherwise. It is the kind of education that rewards patience and seriousness — and tends to distinguish those who have pursued it.

For small group classes, a deposit of fifty percent of the applicable tuition reserves a place at enrollment. The remaining balance is due before the first session. A seat is not held until the deposit has been received.

For one-on-one tutorials, tuition is due before the commencement of each session.

Early payment of the full tuition — rather than a deposit alone — may qualify for a discounted rate where applicable. A deposit does not attract any such discount.

Payments are processed through Stripe. In the event that a refund is issued, the applicable Stripe processing fee — currently 5.4% of the transaction amount plus $0.30, plus any per-transaction refund fee — is deducted from the returned sum. This fee is assessed by the payment processor and is not retained by Emerson Latin.

Beyond this, there are no enrollment fees, materials fees, or administrative surcharges. Any costs associated with required texts or supplementary materials will be communicated in advance.

A student who withdraws before more than half of the term's sessions have taken place may receive a refund of the unused portion of tuition. Once more than half the sessions have been completed, no refund is available.

This policy reflects the practical constraints of running small group classes, where planning, preparation, and a stable cohort are all necessary for the program to function well.

A cancellation made before the course commences may result in a refund of fifty percent of the deposit paid. The remaining fifty percent is non-refundable, reflecting the administrative cost of holding the place and the fact that it could not be offered to another student in the interim.

Where Emerson Latin must cancel a session or program for its own reasons, enrolled students will receive a full refund of fees paid for the sessions affected.

Emerson Latin does not issue credits or refunds for sessions missed by the student. This applies equally to group classes and individual tutorials.

That said, all small group class sessions are recorded and shared with enrolled students who are unable to attend. A missed session need not mean a missed lesson; the recording ensures that no student falls behind on account of an unavoidable absence.

In the case of one-on-one tutorials, a session canceled without sufficient notice may result in forfeiture of the session fee, at Emerson Latin's discretion. Requests to reschedule are accommodated where possible, though a preferred alternative time cannot always be guaranteed.

Yes — thoroughly. The curriculum encompasses preparation for the full range of standardized Latin examinations, including AP Latin, as well as all major international competitions in Latin language, literature, and classical humanities at every level.

In addition to its regular courses, Emerson Latin offers dedicated contest preparation courses covering every major international competition. These include purpose-built study guides, curated practice materials, and a comprehensive archive of real examinations from previous years — so that students arrive at competition not merely prepared, but seasoned.

Emerson Latin does not, however, orient its teaching around examination outcomes as such. A student who genuinely understands the language and its literature will perform well in any test of it. The preparation and the result are not separate things; they are the same thing, measured at different moments. Students who have studied here have distinguished themselves in examinations and competitions alike — and this is a natural consequence of serious preparation, not the object of a narrowly exam-focused course.

Frequently, yes — though this is not the argument Emerson Latin would lead with. The study of Latin disciplines the mind in ways that are difficult to replicate: it demands precision of thought, an unusual attentiveness to language, and a familiarity with the roots of a great deal of English and scientific vocabulary. Students who have pursued Latin seriously tend to read more carefully and write more clearly. College entrance examinations, in particular, are known to favor students with a classical education, for reasons that are not accidental.

These outcomes, when they occur, are the natural consequence of genuine study. They are worth knowing about. They are not, however, the reason to study Latin. The reason to study Latin is Latin.

Materials prepared and shared by Emerson Latin — including notes, exercises, reading lists, and supplementary texts — are licensed for personal, non-commercial use within the enrolled student's immediate household. They may not be reproduced, distributed, or shared with third parties without prior written consent. Further details are set out in the full Terms and Conditions.

Emerson Latin works with students across multiple time zones, and scheduling takes this into account. Session times for group classes are set before the term opens; families are encouraged to confirm that the scheduled hours are workable for their location before securing a place.

For one-on-one tutorials, times are arranged directly between the instructor and the family and can, within reasonable limits, be set to suit the student's schedule and local time.

Emerson Latin collects personal information — including names, contact details, and payment information — solely for the purposes of administering enrollment, communicating with families, and processing payments. This information is not sold, rented, or shared with third parties, except as required by law or as necessary to process transactions through Stripe.

Families may request correction or deletion of their personal data at any time by writing to Emerson Latin directly.