This is a question we very often hear from people that want to join our Greek courses online: What is the best way to learn Greek?
Well, everyone is different and that’s not a surprise! Learning Greek is a long journey that has its difficulties but at the same time is very rewarding – it’s a great feeling when you can finally communicate with Greek people in their own language. While there are many ways to learn Greek, you must decide which one best suits your personality, the time you have available to study, and your learning style. In this article, we have some advice for learning Greek. Our advice will be based on YOU and YOUR needs and feel free to choose…
The best way to learn Greek
1. One-on-one online Greek lessons
If you’re very busy and you don’t have time to commute back and forth to a classroom, you can have Greek lessons online using one of the many web conferencing platforms that exist today (Skype, Zoom, Viber, etc). You can learn a language on your own schedule and from the comfort of your own home! You can find many Greek teachers online. You can contact them and arrange a trial lesson. Discuss your needs with them and then you can start weekly lessons with the teacher of your preference. Online Greek lessons are almost the same as private face-to-face lessons. You have your teacher and you can ask him or her questions. Your teacher will introduce grammar points to you, teach you new vocabulary, and help you practice speaking and listening. She/he will also give you feedback on your reading and writing. Having online lessons with a native Greek teacher will save you time and money and you will get all the attention you need, as it will be a one-on-one session! So if you think that this is the approach that best suits your personality, try it out. You can take a look at our website for more information as we offer one-on-one online Modern Greek lessons.
2. Group Greek lessons online
Besides one-on-one online Greek lessons, you can also find online group classes as well. In a group class online, there are usually 4 to 6 students and a teacher. This type of class has some advantages compared to a private class, but there are also some disadvantages. Let’s start with the advantages. In a group class, you can listen to other students’ mistakes and questions. This is very important as you can see the language from another point of view: your classmate’s point of view. This often helps students to overcome problems much faster than if they were alone. Another advantage of a group class is the motivation you can get from the group to continue studying the language. As we said, learning Greek is a very long journey and if you are alone, you may get discouraged. If you are in a group, however, each student can support the other in overcoming these problems. Finally, if you are on a budget, this is a very good option as it is cheaper than one-on-one classes.
On the other hand, there are some disadvantages to group classes. First off, the classes have to follow a plan and cannot slow down or speed up according to the needs of a student. In a group, you follow the pace of the group, and the pace is determined by the teacher. Another disadvantage is that the class will take place on a specific day and time and if you miss it, the teacher cannot go back to explain what you have missed. Finally, even though you can ask questions in a group class, the teacher cannot give you all the attention, as in a private lesson.
In conclusion, I think that group classes online are best suited to extroverted/outgoing people. If that’s the case for you, you can join a Greek language group class online. Joining a group of people who have the same interest as you and share the same passion for the Greek language and culture will be beneficial for everyone. Also, you will find it easier, as you will always have the chance to practice what you have learned with the other members of the group. Visit our Greek learning group lessons if you are interested in this style of learning.
Or… read more to discover what is the best way to learn Greek according to your style, preferences, or needs!
3. Traveling to Greece or Cyprus
The third way to learn Greek is to travel to Greece or Cyprus. if you are an avid traveler or explorer, it will be really nice and beneficial to visit Greece or Cyprus, where Greek is the official language. It is a great opportunity to become familiar with the country, the people, their customs and culture, and speak with local people. What better way to learn Greek than this? Interaction and communication with locals are helpful, so why not join a Greek language class during your stay? There are a lot of language groups in mainland Greece, but also in the islands as well. Local teachers offer not just formal language learning but also informal learning activities such as visits, trip field trips, nights out, and many more things. Are you still looking for what is the best way to learn Greek?
Then try to…
4. Learn Greek on your own
Finally, if self-discipline is what characterizes you the best then you can study on your own! You can buy a beginner’s book to help you start with the basics and become familiar with the letters, sounds, and expressions. Studying Greek on your own is difficult and you may sometimes make mistakes that you could avoid when working with a teacher. However, there are some people who follow this route at least at the beginning of their studies. I believe that you can cover the A1 and A2 levels on your own, although it would be hard to go further without a teacher. Many people support their learning with the many self-paced courses for learning Greek that exist online. You can also find a self-paced course on our website as well. In your course, you can learn common Greek phrases and expressions that local people use in their daily life. Another useful resource that is easily accessible is the many short-length YouTube Greek videos available online. Taking notes while you are watching and practicing the final task will help you derive the full benefit from such videos. Furthermore, local or online language exchange groups and language café meetings are great options to practice Greek for someone who has a flexible timetable or is a language lover!
In conclusion, I would say that regardless of the method you follow to learn Greek, you will need to practice and revise as much as you can. We hope that the advice in this article has answered the question of What is the best way to learn Greek and helped you in your Greek learning journey!
Maria Christoforou