Learning Greek One Step At A Time: #2 Grammar

13 Jul

Last week I shared with you the first part of the 3 step series currently on the blog Learning Greek One Step At A Time. This week we’re focusing on Grammar.

Learning Greek One Step At A Time: #2 Grammar

Personally, I couldn’t figure out whether I liked or disliked grammar, even as a language teacher - for years.

In reality, grammar itself is nothing more than a system describing how the language works; it is meant to help us learn and understand the language, not to terrify us.

Now, traditional language teaching is probably the one to "blame".

Students were expected to memorize endless lists of rules, conjugations and exceptions. Not very many people like memorizing only to be punished when they make a mistake!

I've come to believe that a balance between all the tools we use to learn a language - including memorizing - adapted to our personal learning style is a better approach. But let’s go back to grammar.

Here’s a cool fact you might like: The word comes from the Greek word γράμμα gráma [letter] and used to be an adjective on the title of this book:

Τέχνη Γραμματική translated in English as Art of Grammar, was the first Greek Grammar book written in the 2nd or probably the 4th century AD (there’s a debate about that).

This grammar book was meant to help speakers of Koine Greek understand the ancient poets. It was a course book, so to speak.

Today, coming from so many different education systems, many learners have trouble with Greek grammar; either because you never liked it or because your language was never taught with too much focus on grammar.

Most importantly, your language’s structure might be very different than Greek; here’s an article about how your native language(s) might interfere with your learning.

Greek, however, was and still is taught with lots of grammar included.

The question is, how to be sure you understand grammar when you learn Greek, no matter your background?

Here are a few simple ways:

1. In case you are not familiar with the “jargon” (that is: what “nominative” means, how to distinguish a “subject” in a sentence and so on) always ask for more explanations.These are words you will repeatedly see and use throughout your learning.

2. Don’t insist too much on grammar. This is easier said than done. Because Greek grammar might seem more complex with all the grammar genders, articles, cases etc., it’s easy to lose focus by trying to understand every single thing.

Remember that language learning is not about speaking or writing perfectly, is about communicating. grammar should serve the learner, not enslave them in never ending studying.

Of course, if you come from an even more complex language system, then Greek grammar might seem familiar or easier for you.

3. Get a good grammar book.

There are a couple I really like and have been using for years:

The Triandaphyllidis Modern Greek, which has been translated in many languages as well
The Greek: An Essential Grammar is perfect for English speakers
Lastly, not a book, but this free online resource called Neurolingo, was recommended by an awesome student and I really like it. A note: There are a couple other online resources / grammar tables that seem to be quite popular. They contain many errors, however. Neurolingo is the only one I trust so far.

Ways to practice grammar

How do you learn grammar, however? Here are some ideas I like:

For the Beginner level - verbs: In the first few classes, take it slow and read just the first and the second person of every new verb. You‘ll be able to form a conversation about you and the other person while adding lots of new verbs. After a few classes, add more or all the persons.
For the Beginner level or for a good revision at the Intermediate level - simple future: This is my favourite writing activity when I teach future simple: write a letter to your friend, inviting them to spend a few days with you in your home town. You‘ll describe what you’ll do, visit, eat, see together etc. Write as many details as you want. This activity connects your personal experiences with a variety of verbs in simple future. Every letter is unique and so interesting to read!
For the Intermediate level - genitive: Make two lists, one with many objects (words you already know, such as σπίτι, καρέκλα, υπολογιστής) and the other with Greek names such as Μαρία, Κώστας and neuter words as well. Make sure you use Greek names because they can be declined in genitive. Match the object to the name e.g. Ο υπολογιστής της Μαρίας. Add adjectives for extra practice.
For the Advanced level - simple past: When you learn verbs with double σ or τ (πράττω) or verbs with prepositional prefix (αναθέτω) you’ll notice that these are usually found in articles and speeches. Why not write your own article about a topic you like or even make a “podcast episode” as your speaking activity, using as many advanced level verbs as possible. Share your written or recorded piece with your teacher or even publish them.

I hope you feel a bit more inspired to use grammar to learn Greek.

Do you have a favourite activity or tip you ‘d like to share? Let me know in the comments.

Stay around for Step #3 in the series Learning Greek One Step At A Time.

This article contains some affiliate links, which means you'll be supporting Alpha Beta Greek at no extra cost to yourself if you buy through the link. I only recommend books and resources of high quality that I trust and love to use myself.