Learning Greek - Practical tips and good habits to cultivate?

I all,

I'm currently working my way through GK101 from MobileEd, and whilst I'm doing fine with my word and endings, etc.

I only have time in the schedule to spend a block of 2 hours a week on the actual MobileEd course. However, I am wondering what else I can do in between 'classes' to practice and grow some good habits. Particularly, how might I better use logos to these ends?

Welcome your thoughts. For context, I'm an elder and families worker in a local church, who preaches 6 weekly and leads weekly Bible studies.

Thanks in advance.

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EastTN

I found listening to vocabulary CDs on my commute was very helpful. Over time you begin to know the words cold, so to speak, which really helps because it takes one barrier out of the way when you're struggling with grammar and syntax. Here's the one I happened to buy. It was cheaper then - my guess is that it's no longer being made.

https://www.amazon.com/Jonathan-Pennington-Vocabulary-Unabridged-2001-10-16/dp/B0146UXTR0/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1521393013&sr=1-2&keywords=pennington+zondervan+vocabulary+greek&dpID=51v7vmqKvlL&preST=_SX218_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_&dpSrc=srch

This looks like a more current version.

https://www.amazon.com/New-Testament-Greek-Vocabulary-Learn/dp/1491521325/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1521393013&sr=1-1&keywords=pennington+zondervan+vocabulary+greek&dpID=41f%252BCAV2cdL&preST=_SY291_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_&dpSrc=srch

David Mitchell

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/965370#Comment_965370

pen and paper. write out what you are learning over and over.

Kenneth Neighoff

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/965370#Comment_965370

Read, Read, Read the Greek Text.

David Staveley

I all,

I'm currently working my way through GK101 from MobileEd, and whilst I'm doing fine with my word and endings, etc.

I only have time in the schedule to spend a block of 2 hours a week on the actual MobileEd course. However, I am wondering what else I can do in between 'classes' to practice and grow some good habits. Particularly, how might I better use logos to these ends?

Welcome your thoughts. For context, I'm an elder and families worker in a local church, who preaches 6 weekly and leads weekly Bible studies.

Thanks in advance.

A man goes up to a Police Officer and says: "How do I get to Carnegie Hall?" The Officer says: "Practice, practice, practice".

The point being, the only way to learn another language is to constantly practice it. I learnt by reading the Greek text with no English translation beside me to help. When I didn't know a word, I was forced to look it up in a Lexicon. I did it every day. The more words I began to recognise by sight, the easier it got. Soon, it all started to fall into place.

The most important thing when learning a language is your vocabulary. Learn as many Greek words as possible. This is the real key to language learning. If it was a contest between which was the most important - vocab or grammar - vocab would just pip it to the post.

Dave Thawley

I'm currently working my way through GK101 from MobileEd, and whilst I'm doing fine with my word and endings, etc.

Thanks very much for asking this question and the responses. I am very much in the same boat. I have just started GK101 and I am really loving it but the time factor is a concern to me as well.

Beloved Amodeo

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/965392#Comment_965392

Thanks LMAM, this thread has led me to consider purchasing this course.

Liam Maguire

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/965370#Comment_965370

Thank you so much for everyone's helpful replies. I am aware that there is no replacement for hard work and practice. However, I was interested in what I could do in addition to hard work and practice. Thank you especially to those who noticed this and reflected it in your replies.

Please keep your thoughts coming.

I found listening to vocabulary CDs on my commute was very helpful. Over time you begin to know the words cold, so to speak, which really helps because it takes one barrier out of the way when you're struggling with grammar and syntax. Here's the one I happened to buy. It was cheaper then - my guess is that it's no longer being made.

https://www.amazon.com/Jonathan-Pennington-Vocabulary-Unabridged-2001-10-16/dp/B0146UXTR0/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1521393013&sr=1-2&keywords=pennington+zondervan+vocabulary+greek&dpID=51v7vmqKvlL&preST=_SX218_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_&dpSrc=srch

This looks like a more current version.

https://www.amazon.com/New-Testament-Greek-Vocabulary-Learn/dp/1491521325/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1521393013&sr=1-1&keywords=pennington+zondervan+vocabulary+greek&dpID=41f%252BCAV2cdL&preST=_SY291_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_&dpSrc=srch

These look excellent. Thank you so much for sharing. One question though, I notice that they follow the Erasmian pronunciation scheme, whereas GK101 teaches the 'Koine' system. Will that make a noticeable difference? Does it really matter?

Thanks very much for asking this question and the responses. I am very much in the same boat. I have just started GK101 and I am really loving it but the time factor is a concern to me as well.

I know right? I'm renting it through FLC: Essentials so only have 6months to complete the course which adds another level of pressure!

Thanks LMAM, this thread has led me to consider purchasing this course.

No problem, Beloved. It is worth it, I think. You're a Logos Now-er, right? If you transitioned to FLC: Essentials (no-Library) then you could always pick it up as one of your free MobEd yearly rentals. You'd only have six months to do it, but if you like it could always purchase it before the time runs out. Be aware though, there is A LOT of suggested reading and further reading in a range of books and grammars buying/renting the course does not get you access too...

Beloved Amodeo

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/965437#Comment_965437

It is worth it, I think. You're a Logos Now-er, right? If you transitioned to FLC: Essentials (no-Library) then you could always pick it up as one of your free MobEd yearly rentals. You'd only have six months to do it, but if you like it could always purchase it before the time runs out.

I have FLC Essentials (No Library) as such I am candidate for the free 6 month offer, however, since I already have Deuteronomy OT312 I think I would be better served to pick up the course for 45% off now and peruse the course at my leisure. Thanks for your insight, comments, and suggestions.

Liam Maguire

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/965552#Comment_965552

I have FLC Essentials (No Library) as such I am candidate for the free 6 month offer, however, since I already have Deuteronomy OT312 I think I would be better served to pick up the course for 45% off now and peruse the course at my leisure. Thanks for your insight, comments, and suggestions.

No problem. One thing I discovered today is that not all the required learning for the exams is taught in the videos. For example, gender, and 3/5 cases are no discussed in the video lectures but are rather given over to the 'reading' section. If like me, you do not have access to the grammars and textbooks that they suggest then you may struggle or, like I, go googling. Buyer beware.

EastTN

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/965437#Comment_965437

These look excellent. Thank you so much for sharing. One question though, I notice that they follow the Erasmian pronunciation scheme, whereas GK101 teaches the 'Koine' system. Will that make a noticeable difference? Does it really matter?

That's a great question. I was taking a class that used Mounce's Basics of Biblical Greek grammar and video lectures. He used an Erasmian pronunciation, so it worked well for me. (Even so, there were a few words that Pennington pronounced a bit differently than Mounce). There may be CDs that use a Koine system. If so, that would seem to be a better fit for you.

If not, I don't know how much of a problem it would be. I would imagine that there would be a bit of a "dialect" speed bump whenever you heard a word pronounced in Koine in your course lectures - something like a Texan hearing English spoken by someone from Mumbai.

Beloved Amodeo

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/965553#Comment_965553

One thing I discovered today is that not all the required learning for the exams is taught in the videos. For example, gender, and 3/5 cases are no discussed in the video lectures but are rather given over to the 'reading' section. If like me, you do not have access to the grammars and textbooks that they suggest then you may struggle or, like I, go googling. Buyer beware.

Good heads up. I have most of the grammars. Missing Mounce Wallace and Porter. By the time I'm ready to use the course, I will have added them to my library.

Veli Voipio

what else I can do in between 'classes'

I listen to Greek audio https://www.logos.com/product/26968/greek-audio-new-testament

Children learn languages without teachers, grammars and lexicons. They listen and then say the same and watch the effect. We cannot do exactly the same in Koine Greek, but I think listening is relatively easy to do and it gives some naturalness to the language learning.

Children also naturally repeat several times what they hear. When a mother says "oh no!" the children repeat it several times. It sounds correct even when it might be then a little out of context. [:D]