Καλή Χρονιά! I guess you are reading this post because you learn Greek or because learning Greek is one of your New Year’s Resolutions. In spite of the way you learn the language-using a textbook, taking ‘mainstream” classes or using self-study methods, I would like to offer a few tips that might help you achieve your goal faster.

#1. Speak Greek. If you are an absolute beginner start practicing the basic sentences you are taught in every lesson with your teacher or with a native speaker. The only way to get used to the sounds is by pronouncing them out loud. If you are advanced, there are also many benefits, such as using the grammar and syntax correctly, learning new vocabulary, getting more confident and having fun. There are many ways to practice conversation: you can either find a language exchange partner on the Internet or organize conversation groups with your classmates leaded by a teacher or a native speaker.

#2. Listen to Greek. It is very easy to get access to audio tracks and videos, although most of the material available is not free. However, it is very easy to have access to free videos on line. Although the language is usually challenging, try to go step by step: pick up an interesting video or pod cast and listen to it for only one to three minutes. Listen to it as many times as you can, over and over again. At the end, you will be able to understand it better than you did the first time you listened to it. Do not be frustrated, the goal is to listen to the sounds and get used to the rhythm of speaking not to understand a 100% of what you listen to.

http://www.e-radio.gr

http://www.skai.gr/tv/show/?showid=64005

http://webtv.ert.gr/ert1/

TV series:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17SY43dQEYc&list=PLrZImhph4ZsFPc6Ze6cAFdLcdePPbufQI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zC2bOw3KYMk&list=PLld-aRfvB3nlNYbDuzfRgtVolSKfEF1jB

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V40Dqc5eJgE

 

#3. Read original material. Beginners can start by reading short paragraphs of thirty words. If you finish, read the whole thing again and again. Try to read it out loud. The goal is to get used to the word order, to distinguish the nouns from the verbs and to see how the different endings are formed. The meaning of what you read it is not important in this stage and if you use a dictionary or translator, do not dwell on the meaning.

Free press:

http://popaganda.gr

http://www.lifo.gr

http://parallaximag.gr

http://www.exostispress.gr

Free e-books:

http://free-ebooks.gr/el

 

#4. Be consistent. Practicing a language does not necessarily mean memorizing piles of words and grammar rules; it means to be in touch with the language, every day. If you are too busy to study, just listen to a song or read a short paragraph.

#5. Be brave and take risks. Sometimes, it is hard to change the way we do things when they don’t work for us because we are too tired or frustrated to make a new start and at the end we give up. When learning a language, one has to be determined to try a different way when they have to: do not be afraid to change the material you were using so far or to replace your teacher or language partner if you are not happy with them just because you spent money and effort. In every task the most important thing is the “tools” and language is not an exception.

Τα λέμε την επόμενη φορά!