StoryLearning

Latin Uncovered

Finally Learn Latin That Actually Sticks

A beginner Latin course built around a story you won't want to put down, so you finally read and understand real Latin, and hear it read aloud in restored Classical pronunciation.

Even if every app and class has left you stuck, and you think you're just not a language person.

Loved by 100,000+ students
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Three friends on a mystery adventure through the Roman world, a scene from the Latin Uncovered story

From Vir Petasatus, the story at the heart of the course.

  • 20 chapters
  • 60+ video lessons
  • Classical Latin audio

2M+ books sold100,000+ students taught10,000+ learning Latin

Collaborated with

Open University, Council of Europe, British Council

Featured in

BBC, The Times, Gulf Times, El País
Olly Richards, creator of StoryLearning

From the desk of

Olly Richards

Creator of StoryLearning · Author of the bestselling Short Stories series (2 million+ books sold)

Can I be honest with you?

I've learned 8 languages. And I've failed at most of them, spectacularly, before figuring out what works.

So I know exactly what you're going through right now.

You downloaded the app. You did the daily streak. You memorised agricola, aqua, salve. You even took a class or two.

And for a while, it felt like progress.

But then you tried to actually use your Latin, to read a real text at real speed, and the whole thing fell apart.

  • You know the words, but you can't string them into sentences fast enough
  • You can read simple phrases, but Classical Latin texts feel impenetrable
  • You've spent months studying, but you still feel like a permanent beginner

I've been there. Staring at someone, nodding politely, pretending I understood. It's not fun.

But here's the thing I wish someone had told me years ago:

Apps teach you to pass their own quizzes. Textbooks teach you to conjugate verbs on paper. Neither of them teaches you to actually read and understand Latin.

There's a reason you're still stuck. And it has nothing to do with talent, age, or how many hours you've studied.

It has everything to do with how you've been learning.

Let me show you what I discovered instead.

Bon courage,

Olly Richards

Creator of StoryLearning

Inside one chapter

What Learning Through Stories Actually Looks Like

From the first time you press play to the moment it all clicks.

Story illustration from Vir Petasatus with audio player, an archaeologist discovering ancient artifacts
Vir Petasatus (Preview)Classical Latin Story Audio
0:000:00

The Story

You press play and the story begins...

"Martha aliquid arte antīquā factum attingit quod nēmō quasi duo mīlia annōrum tetigit. Martha scit quid sit: dēfīxiō est..."

You don't understand everything. But you understand more than you expected. Antīquā... ancient. Archaeologa... archaeologist. You got those without studying a single word.

And you want to know what happens next. That's the feeling.

Cognates lesson highlighting Latin words like profunda, subterrāneīs, vallum and factum that you can guess from English

Cognates

You already know more Latin than you think

Next, your course tutor, Luke, goes back to that opening sentence and shows you the words hiding in plain sight. Profunda? "Profound": deep. Subterrāneīs? Subterranean. Vallum? A wall. Annōrum? Of years (annual).

These are cognates, Latin words that look and sound like English ones. There are thousands of them scattered throughout the story, and you have been reading Latin words your whole life without realising it.

This is the moment students say: "Wait, I can actually do this."

Grammar lesson breaking down a Latin sentence word by word, showing how noun endings shift with case

Grammar

Then Luke breaks down how the language actually works

You've already met these words in the story: fossa (a trench), annus (a year), est (is, from the verb esse). Luke walks you through how Latin nouns shift their endings depending on their role, fossa becomes fossārum ("of the trenches"), annus becomes annōrum ("of years"). You've just discovered Latin's case system, the engine that drives the whole language.

No grammar tables. No abstract rules. Just real sentences from the story you just read, pulled apart so you can see how they fit together. You learn grammar naturally, using words you've already met in the story, not by memorising rules.

Pronunciation lesson with Luke demonstrating Classical Latin sounds

Pronunciation

Luke shows you how Classical Latin really sounds

Luke shows you exactly how to shape your mouth for the sounds of Classical Latin, the long and short vowels, the crisp consonants. Not a medieval church pronunciation, the real rhythm and music of Classical Latin as the Romans spoke it.

Cultural lesson exploring the Roman world, its empire, architecture, and civilisation

Culture

You learn the world the language lives in

The Roman world, its empire, its architecture, its literature and philosophy. From the Antonine Wall to Rome, from curse tablets to the Vatican Archives. Because you can't truly read a language without understanding the people who wrote it.

Story comprehension review with illustration and multiple-choice quiz

The Payoff

Then you go back to the story

You listen again. And this time, sentences that were opaque at the start of the chapter suddenly make sense.

You can hear where one word ends and another begins. You understand why the characters said what they said. You're not translating, you're understanding.

And just like that, you've started reading Latin, understanding grammar, and hearing the rhythm of the language.

Every chapter, the same rhythm

Story ImmersionGuided DiscoveryReview

This is what learning through stories looks like.

The magic of StoryLearning is what makes words unforgettable, chapter after chapter, all twenty of them. It's the last Latin course you'll ever need.

Everything you just saw is in your 7-day free trial. Full access to the entire course: story, videos, exercises, the lot.

A personal tour

Want to see inside the course?

Watch Olly give you a personal tour of Latin Uncovered:

Experience This Yourself7 days free. Cancel anytime.

Real students, real progress

The same progress, in a fraction of the time

Nisha G. NairNisha G. NairIndia
Other courses2.5 years
Uncovered3 months
"I believe regular consistency with StoryLearning has got me to lower intermediate (A2/B1) in 3 months, which other courses could not do in 2.5 years."
PamPamHouston, TX
On my own4 years
Uncovered4 weeks
"I've learned so much in the last 4 weeks than in the last 4 years of learning on my own. I am actually understanding native speakers!"
Gigi GilmourGigi GilmourStudent
A university course2 semesters
UncoveredSelf-paced
"I believe the StoryLearning course is equivalent to two semesters at a university. The quality of the material is at a university level."

Why Stories Work (When Grammar Drills Don't)

The StoryLearning Method

Infographic explaining the StoryLearning method: story immersion, guided discovery lessons, and review
Immersion, guided discovery, and review, the same loop your brain already trusts.

Stories aren't just entertainment. They're the oldest learning technology we have.

  1. StoryAlways
  2. Writing5,000 years ago
  3. Print600 years ago
  4. Apps15 years ago

Stories came first. They still work best.

Stories are how you learned your native language.

Nobody handed you a grammar table when you were two. You learned through immersion, through context, through stories told to you by your family and friends. Stories that held meaning and made you care what happened next.

That's exactly what StoryLearning does. Here's the science behind why it works so well.

Dual Coding

Your brain is wired for story

You don't sit through a story, you live it. Learn through narrative and your brain encodes more deeply, forms stronger memories, and recalls far more than it ever does from a list.

Dual Coding Theory

The scienceDual Coding Theory shows memory is strongest when you encode information both verbally and through imagery. Stories create vivid mental pictures, which is why you remember story words but forget flashcard words.

Context

Context creates memory

You don't remember random words. You remember the moment the detective found the note, the look on Martha's face when she heard the news. Words attached to a story stick, because they mean something.

Contextual Learning Research

The scienceContextual Learning Research consistently shows that words learned in meaningful context are retained two to three times longer than words learned in isolation. Every word in StoryLearning arrives with a scene, a character, and a reason to care.

Comprehensible Input

Guided discovery beats memorisation

Instead of handing you a rule to apply, StoryLearning lets you meet a pattern naturally, then shows you what you just discovered. You work it out, so you own it. That is why you never forget it.

Dr. Stephen Krashen

The scienceDr. Stephen Krashen, Professor Emeritus at USC and one of the most cited linguists in history, proved that language is acquired through comprehensible input, understanding messages in the target language, not through grammar study. StoryLearning is built on this principle.

And the experts agree

Dr. Barbara Oakley
"Olly's top-notch language-learning insights are right in line with the best of what we know from neuroscience and cognitive psychology about how to learn effectively. I love his work, and you will too!"
Dr. Barbara Oakley, Professor at Oakland & McMaster Universities, NYT bestselling author
Start Reading Latin Today7 days free. Cancel anytime.

Why Not Just Use an App, a Class, or a Tutor?

You have options. Here is how Latin Uncovered compares with the usual ways people try, and keep failing, to learn Latin.

Language appsEvening classesPrivate tutorBest fit for you Latin Uncovered
Read and understand real Latin texts~
Learn words in context, not lists~~
Go at your own pace, any time~
Driven by a story you actually enjoy
One payment, no monthly or hourly fees

Who you'll learn from

Meet Your Guides

Olly Richards, creator of Latin Uncovered

Your StoryLearning creator

Olly Richards

I'm Olly Richards. I've spent my life working out how people actually learn languages, and StoryLearning is the result: the method behind Latin Uncovered and my bestselling Short Stories series.

It has helped over 100,000 learners across our courses. For Latin, I brought in someone special to teach you.

  • Fluent in 8 languages
  • 2 million+ books sold
  • 70M+ YouTube views
  • Open University, Council of Europe & British Council
Luke Ranieri, your Latin teacher in Latin Uncovered

Your Latin teacher

Luke Ranieri

Luke is the teacher you'll spend 60+ video lessons with, and his passion for bringing Latin to life is infectious. A former U.S. military officer and pilot, he has pursued his fascination with languages across science, philology, and education.

Fluent in several modern languages and deeply versed in many others, he teaches ancient languages using the same methods that work for modern ones. His focus is helping you actually read and hear Latin, not just parse it on a page.

  • Former U.S. military officer & pilot
  • Fluent in multiple modern languages
  • Popular Latin educator on YouTube
  • Specialises in active, spoken Latin

Is Latin Uncovered Right For You?

StoryLearning isn't for everyone, and that's by design. Here's how to know.

This is for you if

  • You've tried Duolingo, Babbel or Rosetta Stone, and nothing stuck
  • You know plenty of words, but freeze up when you try to speak
  • You want to read Classical texts, not just pass quizzes
  • You'd rather follow a good story than memorise vocabulary lists
  • You can give it 20 to 30 focused minutes a day

It's probably not for you if

  • You need travel phrases for a trip next week (this is comprehensive, not a phrasebook)
  • You prefer structured grammar drills and memorisation exercises
  • You want live classes with a teacher (this is self-paced)
  • You're already conversational (our Intermediate courses suit you better)
  • You're after a passive "learn while you sleep" solution
Start Your Free Trial7 days free. Cancel anytime.
A scene from the Roman world, the setting of the Latin Uncovered story

Where this leads

Imagine Latin, on the page and in your ear

Picture yourself opening Virgil or Cicero and following the line without reaching for a translation. Hearing Latin read aloud and understanding it. Reading an inscription for the pleasure of it, not as homework.

That is the other side of this. Not perfect, not overnight, but real. And far closer than years of apps ever got you.

Start Your Free Trial7 days free. Cancel anytime.

What Happens When Latin Finally Clicks

A few words from the 10,000+ people now learning Latin with StoryLearning.

Freddie Stewart
Freddie StewartUnited States★★★★★

"I've had years of classes & Rosetta Stone in French, Italian, Arabic & Polish. At most I achieved 'tourist-talk.' Just 10 weeks of beginner StoryLearning and I have solid conversational skills & confidence to try them!"

Anita
AnitaCosta Rica★★★★★

"I didn't consider myself a language person. I was worried I'd never really get it. But having completed the course, I now feel confident reading and speaking for real. Thank you, Olly."

Pamela
PamelaUnited States★★★★★

"The best language course I have ever purchased! I have tried everything to better my speaking skills but nothing sticks like StoryLearning. Simple to understand, fun, motivating, and encouraging!"

Gigi Gilmour
Gigi GilmourStudent★★★★★

"I believe the StoryLearning course is equivalent to two semesters at a university. The quality of the material is at a university level. The lessons are a lot more fun than sitting in a lecture hall."

Kevin
KevinBelize★★★★★

"I love the way we can learn things that are in the context of a story, and remember it because of the story. This is beyond my expectations."

Cynthia Aguirre
Cynthia AguirreUnited States★★★★★

"I can't even begin to describe how much this course has changed my life. In 2 months, I have learned more than in all 4 years I took in HS and college. I am actually understanding native speakers! Thank you Olly Richards!"

Phil Welch
Phil WelchUnited Kingdom★★★★★

"This course is by far the best I've ever come across. As an ex English Language Teacher, I have very high expectations & this course exceeds these. The story-based approach makes all the difference, I'm actually reading and understanding the language."

Erich Ball
Erich BallUnited States★★★★★

"I've tried a lot of courses and methods over the years. This is the first course that really helped me to comprehend the language. The story pulls you in, and the grammar suddenly makes sense in context."

Kim
KimStudent★★★★★

"This program changed the way I learn languages. In school, I struggled to understand or speak. Now I'm naturally learning vocab, grammar, reading, writing, listening, & speaking in a super fun way. Highly recommend."

Charlie
CharlieStudent★★★★★

"I always wanted to learn a new language but traditional textbooks were so dry and boring. Within just 2 months, I find myself actually reading and understanding real texts. This course surprised me. Thank you Olly."

Jonathan Ridd
Jonathan RiddAustralia★★★★★

"Very impressed so far! Olly explains and breaks down the rules of the language so well, with lots to learn right from the start. I have learnt more in 1 module than in months of free apps!"

Linda
LindaUnited States★★★★★

"If you tell me a good story, I'll follow you anywhere. What better way to learn a language than through asking what happens next? This is a challenging, well-designed course that never bored me. And I learned a great deal."

Start Learning Latin Today7 days free. Cancel anytime.

What's Inside Latin Uncovered

Cover illustration from Vir Petasatus, three friends on a mystery adventure through the Roman world

The story at the heart of it

Vir Petasatus (The Man in the Hat). An archaeologist discovers an ancient curse tablet near the Antonine Wall, then reunites with a physicist and a philologist to chase the clues from Rome to the Vatican Archives to the ruins of Pompeii, while a mysterious figure shadows their every move.

The answers unfold across 20 chapters, and as the story pulls you forward, the Latin comes with you.

From Chapter 1 to Chapter 10

The same student, real text from the course. Watch how much more you understand as the story unfolds.

Illustration from Chapter 1 of Vir Petasatus
Chapter 1You catch the cognates

"Martha aliquid arte antīquā factum attingit. Archaeologa scit quid sit: dēfīxiō est."

Martha reaches for an ancient artifact. The archaeologist knows what it is: it's a curse tablet. You understand this almost immediately, the cognates do the work for you.

Illustration from Chapter 5 of Vir Petasatus
Chapter 5You follow the gist

"Martha Antōniusque in oenopōliō sunt prope labōrātōrium utrīque bene nōtō."

Martha and Anton are in a pub near the laboratory, a place they both know well. You didn't study that sentence. You just... understand it.

Illustration from Chapter 10 of Vir Petasatus
Chapter 10You read every word

"Sī connexiō est inter Gāium Pāpinium et Pūblium Pāpinium, explicāre potest quā dē causā poēma prō dēfīxiōne scrībere voluit."

If there is a connection between Gaius Papinius and Publius Papinius, it could explain why he wanted to write a poem as a curse. Complex syntax, multiple clauses, but you follow it, because the story carried you there.

One payment, lifetime access

Everything You Get

A chapter of Vir Petasatus with Classical Latin audio20chapters

The full story of Vir Petasatus

Every chapter with complete audio, in restored Classical Latin pronunciation.

A video lesson with Luke, your Latin teacher60+videos

Video lessons with Luke

Grammar, vocabulary, cognates and culture, all taught in the context of the story.

Plus everything that helps it stick

  • Pronunciation training
  • Speaking activity packs
  • Comprehension quizzes
  • 100% downloadable
  • Private student community
  • Lifetime access and updates

All of it is yours the moment you join, and free for your first 7 days.

Start Your Free Trial7 days free. Cancel anytime.

Your First 7 Days, Free

No payment today, and no catch. Here is exactly how your free week works.

  1. Day 1

    You're in. The entire course unlocks, the story, all 60+ videos, every exercise, with nothing charged to your card.

  2. Days 2 to 4

    Try it for real. Start the story and meet Luke, and find out whether this is finally the method that clicks for you.

  3. Days 5 to 6

    Decide with zero pressure. Most people know by now. If it's working, simply carry on, there's nothing you need to do.

  4. Day 7

    Changed your mind? Cancel in one click before the week ends and pay nothing. No forms, no awkward emails.

Seven days to be sure. The only thing you risk is staying stuck.

Try Latin Uncovered Risk-Free

No payment today. Take the whole course for a free week, and you're covered by a full-year guarantee after that.

Full-year, love it or it's free money-back guarantee

The Full-Year, Love-It-or-It's-Free Guarantee

I'm confident Latin Uncovered will work for you. But I also know that confidence comes from experience, not promises.

So here's my guarantee: Try the course. Work through the chapters. If at any point in the next 365 days you decide it's not for you, email us and we'll refund every penny. No questions. No awkwardness. No hassle.

You have a full year to decide. That's how confident I am that you'll love learning this way.

Olly Richards

A private Latin tutor runs $50 or more an hour. A year of evening classes runs into the hundreds. Latin Uncovered is a single payment, and your first week is free.

Lifetime access, one payment

$397$297

Less than $1 a day over a year, and equivalent to two university semesters.

Start with a 7-day free trial. Full access. Cancel anytime.

Start now and you could read your first Latin story today.

Start Your 7-Day Free TrialYou won't be charged until your trial ends
"The best language course I have ever purchased. Nothing sticks like StoryLearning."
Pamela, United States

Frequently Asked Questions

A few things people often ask before starting their free trial.

I'm not a complete beginner. Is this course for me?
If you're still building your foundation and don't feel confident holding conversations yet, yes, Latin Uncovered will fill in the gaps and give you the fluency you're missing. If you can already hold comfortable conversations with native speakers, you might be better suited for our Intermediate courses. Not sure? Start the free trial and see where you land.
What if I don't have time to study every day?
The course is entirely self-paced. There are no live sessions, no deadlines, no pressure. You have lifetime access, so you can start when you're ready, take breaks when life gets busy, and come back whenever you want. Most students find that 20-30 minutes a day works well, but you can adjust to your schedule.
What variety of Latin do you teach?
This course teaches Classical Latin, the language of Cicero, Virgil, and the Roman Empire. The pronunciation follows restored Classical norms, not the Ecclesiastical (Church) pronunciation used in some academic and religious settings. Classical Latin is the standard for most university programmes and gives you direct access to the greatest works of Roman literature.
How is this different from Duolingo or Babbel?
Apps teach you to pass their own quizzes. You get good at matching words and completing exercises, but when you encounter real Latin, an inscription, a classical text, a scholarly discussion, you're lost. StoryLearning teaches you to read and understand actual Latin through immersion in a compelling story. You're not learning to pass quizzes; you're learning to read a language that shaped Western civilisation.
What if it doesn't work for me?
You have 365 days to decide. If Latin Uncovered isn't right for you, for any reason, email us and we'll refund your purchase in full. No questions asked, no forms to fill out. We've processed thousands of refunds without hassle, though we rarely need to.
Can I try before I pay?
Yes. The 7-day free trial gives you full access to the course. Explore the lessons, experience the story, try the method. You won't be charged until the trial ends, and you can cancel anytime with one click.
What happens after the free trial?
After 7 days, your card is charged $297 for lifetime access to the full course. There are no recurring fees, it's a single payment. If you cancel during the trial, you won't be charged at all. And remember, even after paying, you still have the 365-day money-back guarantee.
How long will it take to complete the course?
Most students complete Latin Uncovered in 3-6 months, studying 20-30 minutes per day. But there's no clock ticking. Some move faster, some take their time. The course is designed for sustainable progress, not a sprint.
Will I be able to speak fluently after this course?
Latin Uncovered will give you a solid foundation, the ability to read Classical Latin texts, understand spoken Latin, and express yourself confidently in the language. "Fluency" is a lifelong journey, but this course will get you further than years of apps and classes combined. Many students report achieving more in 10 weeks than in years of previous study.
Olly Richards, creator of StoryLearning

One decision left

Ready to Finally Learn Latin?

You've read this far. That tells me something.

It tells me you haven't given up on Latin. That somewhere, underneath the frustration of apps that don't work and classes that didn't stick, there's a part of you that still believes you can do this.

You can.

The spark you feel right now, the one that made you read this page. It fades. Not today, maybe not tomorrow. But it fades.

Start the trial while it's still here.

7-day free trial. 365-day guarantee. Nothing to lose, except the momentum you've built today.

Your future, Latin-reading self will thank you for it.

Olly Richards

Creator of StoryLearning

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