The learning process can be a challenging one, but there are plenty of ways to make it easier.
In this post, we’re going to share seven tips that can help you boost your learning experience in Greek language. From making use of multimedia resources to staying focused, these tips will help you reach your goals faster and with less effort.
So, let’s get started!
The learning process
According to Aristotle, the roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet. Whether you are learning Greek without a teacher or with the help of a teacher, the following ways to enhance the learning process will reward you equally and make it easier for you to get one step closer to the sweet fruit of knowledge. In order to enrich your vocabulary and become familiar with the use of the language, using the grammar rules correctly, take a look at the following tips.
Learn a new word
Each time you learn a new word, try to include it in a context by making your own sentence that includes the new word. For example, if the word you learned is “home”, try to make a sentence as big as possible. Start with small sentences and continue by adding pre-existing knowledge: I live in a house. I live in a comfortable, large house. I live in a comfortable, big house with my boyfriend. I live in a comfortable, large house with my boyfriend, who is from England.
Family words
Put the new word in a family of words and try to associate it with words that are synonymous or opposite in meaning. For example, if the word you just learned is “work,” try to think of other words you know that belong to the same word family, (hard-working [εργατικός], unemployed [άνεργος], to work [εργάζομαι], worker [ο εργάτης], strike [η απεργία], employer [ο εργοδότης] κ.α.). You can also search for words with the same root that may exist in your language. For example: the word “economy” is also found in other European languages.
Be a movie enthusiast
A more fun way is to watch series or movies online. You can select a series or movie on Netflix that is in your native language and activate the Greek subtitles. This also increases the reading speed!
Listen to music
If you are a music lover, Greek music offers a variety of musical genres. Search for a kind of Greek music on YouTube, such as rebetika songs, folk, Greek Éntekhno, Greek rock music, pop or even reggae Greek bands and discover the magical effect of music on learning foreign languages.
You can also visit the following website that contains the lyrics of Greek songs in-combination with the on-line dictionary.
Look on the internet for Greek radio stations. Even if you do not understand everything, this will help your listening skills.
Adopt the Greek way of thinking
Another way that seems a little difficult to implement for you to boost your learning process, is to start thinking and expressing your inner thoughts in Greek. It may seem a little strange at first, but the more you try to become familiar with a foreign language, the more immediate the automatic expression of speech will be.
Be a happy traveler
Travel! Travel to Greece and do not hesitate to speak with locals no matter how limited knowledge you presume to have. At the beginning, communication might seem impossible, but start using repetitive expressions in specific communication occasions, such as ordering a coffee, searching for information at the cash desk of a travel company in the port of Piraeus, etc. Stop a bystander and ask for directions. Even if you do not understand everything, thank him and process what he told you afterwards. At least one phrase will be memorized.
Blend with locals
If you’re looking to improve your Greek language skills and you already live in Greece, then blending in with locals is a great way to start. Sign up for the gym, a photography workshop, a dance seminar. Do what you love and already know, learning the corresponding terms and expressions of the Greek language. Not only will this help you learn better by interacting with native speakers, but it can also make studying more enjoyable and fun.
Here are a few ways to get started:
- Get social. Connect with local Greeks online or in real life and ask them questions about the language and the culture. This will help you build relationships with locals and ease into learning the language naturally.
- Listen carefully. When engaging in conversation, pay attention to the words that are being used. Learning grammar correctly is essential for fluent speaking but listening attentively also gives you a deeper understanding of how people phrase things.
- Take part. Participate in cultural activities like music festivals or theatre performances (if possible). This way, not only will you be using your new knowledge while actually enjoying yourself, but you’ll also be exposing yourself to new vocabulary and structures that can further enrich your learning experience.
- Write down what you hear. Whenever something interesting pops into your head while listening or talking Greek, write it down immediately so that later on it won’t escape your memory accidentally! Writing helps embed new information more firmly into long-term memory bank; perfect for retaining difficult material!
- Use flashcards. An easy way to remember key concepts is by using flashcards.
Familiarize yourself with specific terminology
Another way to practice, which you may not have thought of, is to set up your mobile phone in Greek. If your level in Greek is not so high, you can just set Greek as the language of use only on social media (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Viber) or even in the GPS navigation application. Thus, through the frequent repetition of specific terms, you will become familiar with the respective terminology.
Enjoy your learning journey
Remember that each speaker learns differently. You are the ones who will discover the way and by applying one or more of the above ideas, you will be able to express yourself in Greek in a more comfortable way. We are eager to help you and excited to offer you a fun, imaginative, creative, and customized journey in the Greek language and Greek culture, based on your own abilities and expectations!
Enhance your cultural understanding and broaden your horizons with this captivating eBook on Greek language.
It’s nice to care and share, so spread your love