HomeWorkshop: National Latin Exam Prep (NLE)

National Latin Exam Prep (NLE)

(Quicklink: https://nescitech.org/latin)

National Latin Exam Prep (NLE)

Have you ever wondered how so many scientific names come from Latin? Did the Romans know science and engineering? Yes! The word "science" comes from "SCIENTIA" the Latin word for "knowledge."

This is a 16-hour Latin course with a focus on preparation for the National Latin Exam (NLE) for those currently in grades 4-10. The course should be repeated for best results on the exam. Some classes may be offered both online and in-person to accommodate holidays and family travel plans.

The National Latin Exam is a measure of success that looks good on school and college applications and may lead to scholarships. This course will cover all the major concepts that will be on the NLE, provide practice material and techniques for scoring high, and help students gain confidence.

This course will increase your student’s chances of scoring high and getting a certificate or award medal on the National Latin Exam. In the past three years we have had 5 perfect scores and 8 gold or silver medals.

Which National Exam Should You Prepare For?

INTRODUCTION EXAM - Students new to Latin or have had only a year.
BEGINNING EXAM - Students with previous Latin experience or have taken the INTRO exam.
INTERMEDIATE EXAM - Students who have already taken INTRO and BEGINNING exams.

Latin Enrichment Curriculum (for both levels)

- Latin Grammar - nouns, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, conjunctions, enclitics, interjections, and verbs.
- English Grammar - reinforcement of English syntax and comparison with that of Latin.
- Roots and Derivations - how so much of English vocabulary comes from Greek and Latin.
- Geography - important locations in the Roman world around the time of Caesar
- History - major cultures, eras, kings, heroes, dictators, emperors, etc.
- Mythology - Olympian deities and myths of the Greeks and Romans, etc.
- STEM in Antiquity - Science and engineering marvels of the Greek and Roman world including architecture, building materials, public water supplies, tools, weapons, etc.
- Roman Life - city of Rome, culture, housing, clothing, family life, education, etc.
- Latin in Everyday Use - thematic vocabulary, oral Latin, derivatives, expressions, abbreviations used in everyday English.

System Requirements: For the ONLINE course, computer or Chromebook with a large screen, capable of running ZOOM Meeting, either by Zoom app or through a web browser, a web camera with microphone, and a printer. Most important is a good connection to the Internet. A wired Ethernet connection is best though WiFi will work with a solid signal. Most difficulties with audio and video come from a poor connection to the Internet.

Your Latin Instructor

The instructor, Bob Phinney, has taught classical Latin for 45 years and has taught many exam prep classes to hundreds of students.

Bob taught at a private K-12 school in Brookline for 38 years before retiring and starting New England Sci-Tech in 2018. He is a graduate of Harvard where he studied architecture, art, and science. He got a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) certification at Clark, holds a Level II archery certification, has an FCC Amateur Extra radio class license, and is a Volunteer Examiner (VE) for FCC radio license exams. Bob was director of IT at his K-12 school for 23 years, director of a summer science day camp for 21 years, and director of a Maine summer camp for 5 years. Bob’s primary academic subject for 38 years was classical Latin language, but he has also taught photography, algebra, English, chemistry, graphic design, woodworking, electronics, radio license courses, astronomy, model rocketry, and archery.

Current Zoom Courses Offered

Before signing up, consider emailing us with information about your student's grade level and experience with Greek mythology or Latin. If completely new to the subject, your student will need to enroll in as many weeks as possible. Someone taking Latin and mythology in school may need less preparation.

SPRING 2026: 8 Mondays, March 9, 16, 23, 30, April 6, 13, 20, 27, by ZOOM, $98, (Members $88)

4:30-5:30 PM - National Greek Mythology Exam Prep. – General Level, grades 3-4
5:30-6:30 PM - National Latin Exam Prep. – INTRO Level
6:30-7:30 PM - National Greek Mythology Exam Prep. – Thematic Level, grades 5-8
7:30-8:30 PM - National Latin Exam Prep. – BEGINNER Level

SPRING 2026: 8 Mondays, May 4, 11, 18, 25, June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, by ZOOM, $98, (Members $88)

SUMMER 2026: 8 Mondays, July 6, 13, 20, 27, Aug 3, 10, 17, 24, by ZOOM, $98, (Members $88)

FALL 2026: 8 Mondays, Aug 31, Sep 7, 14, 28, Oct 5, 12, 19, 26, by ZOOM, $98, (Members $88)

FALL 2026: 8 Mondays, Nov 9, 16, 23, 30, Dec 7, 14, 21, 28, by ZOOM, $98, (Members $88)

WINTER 2027: 8 Mondays, Jan 4, 11, 18, 25, Feb 1, 8, 15, 22, by ZOOM, $98, (Members $88)

EXAM TIME

The 2027 National Greek Mythology Exams will be given at New England Sci-Tech on Sunday, February 28, 11:00 AM Eastern both in person and electronically over Zoom.

The 2027 National Latin Exams will be given at New England Sci-Tech on Sunday, March 7, 11:00 AM Eastern both in person and electronically over Zoom.

Please be aware of our Cancellation and Refund Policies. For questions, e-mail bobphinney at nescitech.org or call 508-720-4179.

Current In-Person Courses

Before signing up, consider emailing us with information about your student's grade level and experience with Latin or Greek mythology. If completely new to the subject, your student will need to enroll in as many weeks as possible. Someone taking Latin and mythology in school may need less preparation.

IN-PERSON CLASSES ON SUNDAY

FALL 2025 A: 8 Sundays, Sep 7, 14, 21, 28, Oct 5, 12, 19, 26, In-Person, $120, (Members $98)

10:00-11:30 AM - National Latin Exam Prep Latin II
- - - - Overlap 11:00-11:30 AM is for both classes to do mythology, history, culture, geography.
11:00-12:30 AM - National Latin Exam Prep Latin I

FALL 2025 B: 8 Sundays, Nov 2, 9, 16, 23, Dec 7, 14, 21, 28, In-Person, $120, (Members $98)

10:00-11:30 AM - National Latin Exam Prep Latin II
- - - - Overlap 11:00-11:30 AM is for both classes to do mythology, history, culture, geography.
11:00-12:30 AM - National Latin Exam Prep Latin I

WINTER 2026: 8 Sundays, Jan 4, 11, 18, 25, Feb 1, 8, 15, 22, In-Person, $120, (Members $98)

10:00-11:30 AM - National Latin Exam Prep Latin II
- - - - Overlap 11:00-11:30 AM is for both classes to do mythology, history, culture, geography.
11:00-12:30 AM - National Latin Exam Prep Latin I

EXAM TIME

The 2026 National Greek Mythology Exam will be given at New England Sci-Tech on Sunday, March 1, 11:00 AM Eastern both in person and electronically over Zoom.

The 2026 National Latin Exams will be given at New England Sci-Tech on Sunday, March 8, 11:00 AM Eastern both in person and electronically over Zoom.

Please be aware of our Cancellation and Refund Policies. For questions, e-mail bobphinney at nescitech.org or call 508-720-4179.