Latin is no longer a dead language at Bob Jones High School, where Raymond Congo is showing its vitality by teaching grammatical structure, history and problem solving.

Congo is teaching Latin I and will add a Latin II class to his schedule next semester.

While teaching in Lexington, Ky., he learned that Bob Jones wanted to start a Latin program. A Huntsville native and anxious to return home, Congo e-mailed Principal Robby Parker. "Within 15 minutes, Mr. Parker replied and said he was very interested in meeting," Congo said.

During his spring break, Congo met with Dr. Anne Davidson, the former assistant principal. Although Latin was available by distance learning, "They wanted a teacher in the classroom," Congo said, but had to wait to see if enough students requested Latin. "Luckily enough, students signed up and Mr. Parker offered me the job in July."

Congo's class has no prerequisites. "Everyone can learn Latin," he said. "Most students excel in either math or English. Both types do great in Latin."

Those with English aptitude grasp vocabulary and word associations with modern derivatives, while math students adapt to problem solving.

Compared with other languages, Latin focuses more on structure, less on oral communication. But Congo requires "an oral component to help auditory learners and reinforce content."

"Throughout the years, Latin has fallen in and out of public favor," he said. Schools now emphasize "modern languages so students may communicate in the business world."

However, understanding Latin is a valuable skill, he said. "After taking Latin, most students have a better understanding of English grammar and can then study other languages with a new perspective." Latin's structure simplifies the usage of verb tenses ... "the difference between imperfect, perfect and pluperfect."

He recommends two years of Latin before students "step into another language class." Bob Jones' block schedule accommodates this approach.

Because Latin hasn't been spoken for so long, fewer irregularities exist in the language. "Translating is nothing more than solving a large word puzzle," Congo said. "If you know the rules, it's simple."

Congo jokes with students about announcing that they have studied Latin. "People will automatically accept (you) as brilliant. They'll have responses like, 'Really?! Wow, that must have been difficult.'"

Studying Latin exposes students to ancient culture. "They learn origins of our government, philosophy, artwork and architecture. We have fun looking at the similarities between Roman culture and our own," Congo said.

After the first year of Latin, students can "read simple Latin texts (using a Latin/English dictionary), such as Julius Caesar's "Gallic War" or the Vulgate (the Bible)," he said.

Congo received a bachelor's degree in history from the University of North Carolina in Wilmington. He taught college classes while studying for a master's degree in classical languages and literature from the University of Kentucky in Lexington. He earned teaching certification from Asbury College in Wilmore, Ky.

He has taught at Millersburg Military Institute in Kentucky. His wife, Heather Congo, is an English professor at Wallace State College in Hanceville.