Greek is one of the official languages of the European Union, and it’s spoken by millions of people around the world. But if you’re not from Greece or you don’t speak it natively, learning modern Greek can seem impossible. That’s where this blog comes in!
We’ll be providing you with a comprehensive guide on how to learn modern Greek faster, as well as tips on how to become motivated to learn it. Whether you’re starting from scratch or want to brush up on your language skills, we’ve got you covered. So, what are you waiting for? Start learning modern Greek today!
We hope that you find this blog helpful and that it helps you achieve your language learning goals.
Learn Modern Greek Fast with These Tools
There is no one perfect approach to learning Greek, as the language and culture vary greatly from country to country. However, some of the most effective modern Greek learning tools include:
- Online resources, such as YouTube videos or podcasts. Their content can be educational, informational, or even entertaining. You can find great YouTube channels from Greek creators covering a variety of topics. These are awesome supplement tools for your learning process.
- Different streaming platforms, such us Netflix, Disney+, Cinobo. You can use them to watch shows and movies using Greek subtitles, or even enjoy animated movies translated in Greek. And as you become more and more familiar with the language, you can remove the subtitles.
- Interactive flashcards, quizzes, and texts with audio recordings. It is found that using flashcards and quizzes to learn a language is a great way to supplement immersion learning. Going through the cards one by one and recalling Greek keywords and phrases after studying them for a while can help solidify what you’ve learned. Additionally, reviewing flashcards on-the-spot can help with vocabulary retention during conversations. Also, audiobooks or simple texts with Greek audio recordings can offer a great flexibility while studying modern Greek.
- Greek books, newspapers and textbooks. Reading is a must, and it will help you a lot. Read short Greek texts or paragraphs of a Greek book aloud with a friend. This will help you improve your pronunciation and vocabulary while having fun!
- Set your smartphone’s menu in Greek. It’s a bit risky if you are a new learner but if you know the basics, this can contribute boosting your vocabulary.
Take a Modern Greek Intensive Course
Intensive courses provide students with the required grammar and vocabulary to read, write, and understand modern Greek, especially if you have the time and money to afford it. Intensive courses require a lot of will and desire from the student. They can be challenging, especially when you have zero knowledge, but it is a great idea if you find yourself in a situation where you need to learn a language rapidly. The notion might seem alluring with claims that you will be speaking reasonably well in a couple of weeks by cramming in as much language as you can. Related reading: How to Find the Right Greek Language Teacher
Motivating Yourself to Learn Modern Greek
Make a goal for yourself and try to meet it. For example, if you want to be able to read a text in Greek by the end of the month, make a plan and work towards it. Use tools as we mention above or explore interesting ways to help you learn more efficiently. Keep reading and take the advantage to stay always on track.
Boost Yourself and Overcome the Learning Difficulties
Learning Modern Greek or any other language is a skill, and most skills have an “absorption barrier.” So, you are facing one of the biggest obstacles to actually sitting down and doing the work. By spending a few hours using the tips above, you will not only overcome the hurdle of frustration and procrastination, but also build a solid foundation of learning modern Greek fast and easy to expand upon in the future.
When Learning Modern Greek, Consistency Is the Key
The most crucial factor is to establish the habit of studying the Greek language (or learning any other skill). By nature, we love forming habits, and by using them to our advantage, we may avoid the need for self-discipline and accomplish our goals. Your goals may be worked on a daily basis and regularly when you use mini-habits, and this daily, quick action eventually becomes a habit. You can continue to employ the procedure long after the habit has been established for, as by incorporating more into your regular studying routine. A mini habit in this case can be:
- Learning or memorizing 5 new Greek words or phrases
- Listening a Greek song
- Reading a short text or 3 pages of a Greek book
- Completing a simple grammar or comprehensive exercise
Push Yourself to Start but Start Small and Slowly
By just pushing yourself to study, you can get started on it. But if it were simple, everybody could it. The Pomodoro approach, which advises studying for 25 minutes, taking a break, and then beginning over, is an excellent way to do this. It’s a terrific approach to get started since you have to concentrate on the activity of performing even 1 Pomodoro session rather than the quantity of how much you study.
The difficulty is that some of our brain’s regions, which are active when we don’t want to begin an activity, shut off 5 minutes after we begin (here comes the “the 5-minute rule”). Therefore, challenge yourself to start with just 5 minutes of starting to read the Greek language if a Pomodoro seems excessively long to you. It’s okay if you decide not to proceed after that. However, it’s likely that you’ll get into a groove and continue studying for at least a short bit longer.
Break It Into Small Chunks
The Greek language is quite difficult and complex, especially if you are a beginner. The simplest method to get rid of this sensation of difficulty is to divide the workload into reasonable portions, which you then finish one at a time. This also applies to reinforcing little everyday behaviors that can help you achieve your goals. You can divide a 30-page text into smaller chapters or pages, for instance, if you have to read it. The full assignment will be finished in 30 days (which, despite what it may seem like, is pretty short for such a task), assuming you decide to read a page per day or learning your vocabulary or even watch half a Greek movie.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a way to improve your Modern Greek language skills or start learning, online resources, taking Greek courses and be consistent, then you have everything you need to love this language and get familiar with Greek culture. Don’t forget that the key to success is to find the right tools, use them to your advantage and be a fast learner. Stay motivated!
Related reading: 7 Ways to Enhance Your Learning Process in Greek Language
Discover the secret Greek words that have influenced European languages for centuries through our new eBook here.