Our Story

Salve!​

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In the spring of 2020, COVID-19 spread across the globe; all school and extracurricular activities went virtual.​ While planning for an unprecedented summer, VSL founder, Alexander Lee (currently a third-year undergraduate student at Yale University, class of 2027), researched online courses, especially in Latin, one of his favorite subjects. Due to the lack of high school-level, conversational Latin programs, Alexander decided to create his own. With the support from his Latin teacher, Meghan Glenn, he created a credible curriculum for an online course using an easily accessible technology platform (Zoom).

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The result: Virtual Spoken Latin (VSL), a free and accessible program for high schoolers passionate about Latin.

After designing the curriculum, he recruited students. Ultimately, twelve students enrolled in the inaugural six-week VSL course. Through various activities and fun exercises, students were taught essential vocabulary, pronunciation skills, and tools to speak Latin. The program culminated in a ten-minute drama, written and performed entirely in Latin – a memorable moment to cap off a challenging summer.

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VSL has now expanded to several academic levels (Introductory, Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced), included students from six different schools in New England, and continues to expand! Students from the Boston public schools also joined our sessions, and we are planning to expand to other cities with the leadership of Justin Lee, another Latin student from the Noble & Greenough School.

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In 2024, Justin was awarded the Ascanius Classical Promise Grant to support the continued growth of VSL

and launch the first in-person Latin symposium in Dedham, MA with 45 attendees.

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The program has since expanded to New Haven public schools in 2025 through the

Yale Splash educational outreach initiative, where enrollment of students (7th through 10th grades)

quickly reached capacity – proof that Latin is alive and thriving!

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We hope to have another in-person session soon, while continuing the virtual sessions over the summer.

 

Don't miss out on our very own baking demo (on our Home page) completed entirely in Latin!

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VSL was featured by the National Committee for Latin and Greek in their Spotlight Article!

Check out the interview here: 

DEI Spotlights on New Work (promotelatin.org).

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As of 2022, Noble & Greenough School adapted the VSL lesson plans into the Latin curriculum.

Please reach out if you are interested in doing the same.

 

Valete! In posterum!