University of Melbourne in collaboration with Italian Institute of Classical Studies – Direct Method Short Program in Rome
Reditus in Urbem – Come back to the Aeternal City
Three weeks of Living Latin in Rome
The short program is an in-depth and engaging study experience: students are going to learn speaking and writing Latin with a new methodological approch; they also share their daily life. In fact, the most fascinating aspect of this travel opportunity in Rome is precisely the sharing of both academic activities and everyday life at the college, which is housed in a large villa with a spacious garden and wide lawns.
Overview
Course description
Students will study Latin grammar and vocabulary through the active use of the Latin language itself, both written and spoken. In this way, they will learn a different teaching method for classical languages. They will stay in Rome, not far from the city center, to experience living together and studying at the Italian Institute of Classical Studies. In this shared-living context, the practice of active Latin will be encouraged and guided. Students will work on several key topics in Latin morphology and syntax, adopting an active practice method, always starting from a text carefully selected. As a result, they will also acquire a substantial portion of classical literary vocabulary, selected according to frequency criteria. In addition, a series of lectures—held in English—will be offered on significant themes in Roman culture. Instruction will therefore address these topics through the study of essential authors and debates in the history of classical Latin literature.
Consequently, the trip to Rome offers an extraordinary opportunity to experience direct and immediate contact with the legacy of Roman civilization. In fact, alongside classroom lessons, excursions will be organized with archaeological, historical-artistic and naturalistic focus. These outings will be conducted in English; however, there will also be opportunities to take part in cultural walks conducted in Latin, reading excerpts of literature in the original language directly at the sites being visited.
IISC Method
The Italian Institute of Classical Studies has developed a new methodology which, through the direct use of the language, allows students to acquire the ability to read and completely understand a text in Latin or Ancient Greek in the original language, in a quick and steady way. In the IISC courses, the language is learnt gradually, through the direct use both by the teacher and the students: the exemplification of grammatical rules is given in a context which allows to understand their principles and possible applications; the learning of vocabulary takes place in a linguistic context which guarantees the understanding and the memorization of the words. The goal is to access to literary texts.
The active and direct use of Latin and Ancient Greek as an instrument for language acquisition is not, as many could think, a modern invention. The direct methods have been indeed used for teaching Latin and Ancient Greek almost continually from Roman to modern ages. Now, in the 21st century, the IISC professors, taking up the teaching of 20th scholars and following the example of the Fathers of pedagogy and the Masters of the Renaissance, from Comenius to Vives, from Corderio to Erasmus, continue to develop with passion and commitment IISC method, hoping to give to scholars of Classics the same instrument of their predecessors.
Didactic
Students will learn about, among other things:
- The Latin language, explored through reading, structure, and contextual use
- Latin literature, from narrative and didactic texts to literary language and style
- The ancient Roman world, its values, institutions, and everyday life
- Ancient Roman culture and civilization, social practices, beliefs, and traditions
- Introduction to ancient texts in their original language
- The direct method for Latin, emphasizing immersion and active engagement
- Archaeological sites of ancient Rome, monuments, urban spaces, and material culture
- The ancient Roman landscape, city planning, roads, and infrastructure
In addition, students will be introduced to:
- Italian cultural heritage, from antiquity to the present
- The historical continuity of Rome, from ancient city to modern capital
- Italian ways of life, past and present
- Italian traditions and seasonal customs, including festive and local practices
- Italy’s natural landscapes and cultural attractions, as shaped by history
It is extremely important that all students have all the books from the first lesson onwards.
- H. H. Ørberg, Lingua Latina per se illustrata – Pars I: Familia Romana, any edition
- H. H. Ørberg, Exercitia Latina (Chapters I-XXXV)
- Excerpts (provided by the instructor) from 20th-century textbooks based on the inductive-contextual method by the following authors: W.H.D. Rouse, R.B. Appleton, W.H.S. Jones, G. Pasquetti, G.B. Gandino, C.W.E. Peckett, A.R. Munday, U. E. Paoli
- Recommended reading (the following texts are not part of the exam program but are recommended for those who wish to strengthen their knowledge):
- W. H. S. Jones, Intermediate oral Latin reader, based on Cicero’s De senectute, with extracts from Martial and Horace, Blackie and Son (Download the pdf)
- Erasmus of Rotterdam, Colloquia (see link)
Credit
Upon completion of the Intensive Program in Rome, students will be granted 12.5 UoM points towards their University of Melbourne degree.
12.5 (equivalent of 6 – 8 European Credits)
Accomodation
Students may be accommodated at the Guesthouse Mater Mundi, in Via Lorenzo Rocci 64, Rome.
Students are given:
- single or double bedroom with private bathroom;
- study rooms;
- complete pension, which includes breakfast, lunch and dinners (first dish, second dish, side dish, fruit, bread, drinks);
- laundry service (not included in the fees).
The Guesthouse has also an outside garden and is served by public transport. In the area, there are also many bars, restaurants and other services.
Those who wish to be accomodated in a single bedroom (rather than in a double room) may send a request and pay an additional charge of € 18 per day (€ 380 for the whole month).
Students can arrive on Sunday morning November 22 and bedrooms will be available from 4.00 pm.
The short program ends on Saturday December 12 with a “goodbye” dinner!
The check-out is scheduled for Sunday December 13.
Please note that if you wish to arrive earlier and/or leave later, you need to contact the Guesthouse Mater Mundi at info@casamatermundi.it
Course fees
3950 euro – 6.900 $ (according to exchange 10th December 2025)
Deposit = 250 euro (438$ according to exchange 10th December 2025)
Extra for single room = 21 (nights) x 18 euro = € 380 for the whole month.
Payment / Deposit Policy
Important dates
From the 1st of July 2026 = student can pay deposit (250 euro)
Deposit Policy
- Until 15th of September = total reimbursement
- From 16th of September = students can pay full amount & 50% reimbursement (for both deposit and full payment)
- 15th of November 2026 = Final payment
Instructor
- Start/end dates: 2026 November, 23 - December, 11
- Teaching method: in person
- Schedule: from Monday to Friday (+ field-trips in the weekend)
- Duration: 50 hours
-
Structure:
Latin language: 32 hours
Roman Culture: 8 hours
Field Trips: 10 hours - Location: Guesthouse Mater Mundi in Via Lorenzo Rocci 64, Rome
- Titles released: 12 CFU/ECTS
- Language English