5 ways to improve your Greek when you visit Greece (without lessons)

Learning Tips

18 May

Visiting Greece is definitely one of the best things you can do when you learn Greek.

Of course the duration of your stay matters, since the more time you spend, the more exposure you get.

However, whether you visit for three days or a month, it’s always a great idea to keep up with your learning when you visit the country.

But how? What’s the best way to do it?

Here’s the thing. There’s the obvious way of jumping head first and grasping everything you can:

As soon as you arrive, you find that language, culture and vacation are all connected; you are both learning the language and visiting the country.
You also experience the culture; the gestures, the eye contact, how people talk formally and informally, the habits, the special occasions and so much more.

It's easy to assume you will learn faster when visiting the country.

Not necessarily, though.

Being in the “heart of things” might be too overwhelming:

You might feel you need to learn everything and anything possible or you ultimately don’t know where to start and this leaves you disappointed.
Or you might focus too much on your accent or your grammar mistakes which will probably stop you from practicing speaking.

The truth is that yes, you need to take advantage of all this free exposure to Greek. But there’s no need to work too hard during your vacation!

Ready to know 5 simple ways to practice more efficiently with less work?

1. Do some simple goal-setting

You might have planned everything or you have simply decided to take the next boat to a neighbour island and literally sail to the unknown (which is truly a great story that I would love to hear!).

This is the right time to decide what your goals are. It doesn't have to be time consuming though.

Going around the city or town and seeing friends?

Then, asking questions and catching up with your friends’ everyday lives will be your focus.

Going to the islands?

Then, travelling, asking for directions, ordering food, using vocabulary about the weather and the means of transport is your best bet.

Going to the ancient monuments?

Then, reading information on maps, leaflets and museums is probably what you will be mostly focusing on.

A combination of all the above?

Pick what is feasible and more fun to you and go with it.

This is not the kind of planning that will take you a very long time to complete. It’s more about setting some simple, short, realistic goals about your learning while you visit.

2. Say it in Greek

While in Greece, you can obviously take advantage of the real, authentic language.

I’ve heard, however, too many times from Greek learners that “Greeks will reply in English” and that “everyone knows English”.

It's true that English was always useful in tourism but in the last few years it has gained a tremendous popularity among Greeks who want to immigrate to other countries, so yes, truth is Greeks also want to practice their English with you.

Don’t be intimidated by that. Just mention that you’re learning Greek and that you want to keep the chat going in Greek because you want to improve. I bet most of the people will respect that and help you, too.

Depending on your level, reply, chat, or just pop in some Greek words in your sentence and try the new word you’ve just heard.

3. Language notebook

Take notes! So simple.

I used a traditional pocket notebook when I was learning French in France and it was the best thing I did for my learning.

I was writing everything down, from words I was listening in lectures to expressions at the local (and yummy!) bakery.

So just grab an old fashioned pocket notebook and a pen (because you never know when batteries will fail you) and start writing.

According to this study, handwriting also strengthens the learning process.

Later that day, check these words in your dictionary and ask your Greek friends for help with pronunciation, if needed.

Added bonus: At the end of your trip you will have a whole list of new words and phrases - something to be really proud of.

4. Mix with the locals

I believe that you truly experience the country when you mix with the locals and avoid the tourist places (which also benefits your wallet, right?).

This is also the best way to experience the language instead of hearing mainly English or other languages from tourist groups around you.

Despite to what the general advice is “out there”, you don’t actually have to talk if you don’t feel like it. Yes, it’s obviously great to practice but no need to push yourself too much.

If you’ re an introvert who finds it hard to make friends with everyone, simply listening to native speakers is a great tool for your learning. And that’s great!

And in case you are an extrovert, well, next thing you know is that you might end up chatting with your new Greek friend while drinking ρακή . Not too bad!

In both cases, mixing with the locals opens up a “window” to your learning experience. Use it however you can.

5. What about …mindset?

This is definitely one of the most intriguing topics when it comes to language learning - or any learning, really.

Does a positive or negative mindset affect your learning?

Simply put, yes. Because let’s be honest. How do you see yourself as a learner? And how do you see Greeks and the Greek language?

Even if you visit the country regularly, or even if you live in Greece, you - and everyone else - always carry a set of assumptions about yourself, the country, the people, the language learning.

Especially if you feel stuck, what is it that needs to change?

Be ready to challenge yourself and ask questions. This way you’ll be ready to identify where and how you can improve. If, for example, you become too self-conscious when you speak, find a 1-1 interaction where you feel safe to do so.

Or, if you get annoyed with a grammar point or pronunciation of a word and can’t understand why on earth it has to be so challenging (and why, oh why, Greek language is SO hard to learn?) don’t hesitate to ask for help.

Don’t hesitate to remove labels (“hard!” “difficult!”), change your attitude and face the difficulties with the help of your Greek friends, your favourite cousin or the random Greek who just wants to help you.

Enjoy your stay!

Καλά να περάσετε!

What do you think? How do you learn best when you visit Greece? Share in the comments!