Word Etymologies: The Greek and Latin Roots of English

• Program: Summer Pre-College Courses
• Course Code: CECL0903
• How to Apply

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Course Description

Did you know that from one-third to two-thirds of English words use Latin or Greek roots? And in fields such as medicine, science, and technology, that figure jumps even higher! Familiarity with recurring word elements can help you learn this vocabulary more readily, and even decipher words you haven’t met before.

This course is designed to increase your grasp of English vocabulary by focusing on the Latin and Greek roots of the English language. We'll spend the first week studying derivatives from Latin and the second week studying derivatives from Greek. Latin words are rife in medical and legal language, while a knowledge of Greek words is especially valuable in philosophical and religious contexts. We’ll practice identifying and analyzing target vocabulary in everyday settings, and assess the levels of Latin and Greek use in different styles, registers, and genres of writing and speaking.

The course will help prepare students for standardized exams, such as the SAT or TOEFL, both through vocabulary enrichment and by honing recognition and analytical abilities. It provides valuable tools for interpreting and using medical, legal, and scientific terminology, and it enriches and deepens comprehension of literature, scholarship, and oratory. In addition, students will gain a facility with linguistic and grammatical concepts that will serve them well in the study of foreign languages.

There are no prerequisites.