Greek for beginners (children)

[BlueLobelia]

Afternoon! Posting here for traffic.

My 12 year old DS has decided he wants to learn Greek ('properly') as we enjoyed the most wonderful trip to Greece a few years back and hope to go again next year. He has some learning difficulties and so I will be learning along with him in order to help (plus it will be fun!).

There are no Greek language teachers anywhere near us (and anyway I doubt he can cope with anything more than short very regular bursts ratehr than formal lessons) and I have been looking online for books with hopefully an audio accompaniment.

There are books and cds out there in semi abundance but I hoped for some of the wise advice/recommendations of Mnetters who might know specific texts etc which would be useful. I'd be hugely grateful for any guidance.

many thanks!

You tube, Greek 101 there are loads of 3 minute videos that he can dip in and out of. There isn't a 'proper' way to learn, just one that works for him. Also Netflix allows language change, I watch children's cartoons in Greek as they are simple to follow and repeat simple words.

Duolingo is great, the lessons are structured really well

@Waveifyouknowme

You tube, Greek 101 there are loads of 3 minute videos that he can dip in and out of. There isn't a 'proper' way to learn, just one that works for him. Also Netflix allows language change, I watch children's cartoons in Greek as they are simple to follow and repeat simple words.

Oh brilliant!! Why did I not think of youtube! We youtube for everything else! And cartoons, great idea. :)

@jerrywesterby

Duolingo is great, the lessons are structured really well

Will be checking this out! Thanks!

'properly' was his term.

I am just so pleased he is showing an interest in anything that is not bloody Roblox.

3 minute videos sound perfect for his attention span. And not so much of a huge committment it will put him off.

@BlueLobelia

'properly' was his term.

I am just so pleased he is showing an interest in anything that is not bloody Roblox.

3 minute videos sound perfect for his attention span. And not so much of a huge committment it will put him off.

Sorry, I wasn't meaning to sound like a dick, it's just a bugbear of mine, I had been conditioned to think learning a language meant tutors and structure and grammar. The reality is for many learning a language is , at least in the beginning, is for conversation. I started for the same reason as your son, I fell in love with Greece . It is amazing how much can be picked up in three minute burst.

We found a Greek teacher online and my DD does zoom lessons. She shows her videos and is really engaging! You can ask for shorter lessons to suit your son. And you can try it and stop if it doesn't work out.

Another recommend for Duo Lingo app – I've been learning Greek on it since the start of the pandemic and the DC (10 and 7) love the little cartoon characters on it. They've just started using it to improve their French, and they get really engaged with it as it feels almost like a game.

@Waveifyouknowme you did not sound like a dick. I knew what you meant. :)

Ds still talks about our last holiday to Greece. He got so much out of it and was clsoely questionjing DH and I to see if there may be any remote chance we have Greek blood. Not that we are aware of, but it's always possible I guess!

So many ideas thanks. DS adores online anything so zoom / duolingo/ youtube all of it is likely to be a hit rather than the text books I was looking at.

Thank you all.

Just a thought but is he also interested in Greek mythology? My kids love the Tales from the Greek Legends CDs, by Edward Ferrie.

There's a guy on YouTube that does a brilliant Greece course. It's called language transfer. Highly recommend it, he teaches in a very practical way.

@BlueLobelia

So many ideas thanks. DS adores online anything so zoom / duolingo/ youtube all of it is likely to be a hit rather than the text books I was looking at.

Thank you all.

What text books are these please OP?

We have the same passion for Greece (guess where DH and I got married..?) so I totally understand this. I've been learning on Duolingo and I think that it's okay... but I'd really rather have more structure, more explanations and perhaps some homework. It isn't the easiest of languages to learn and Duolingo does drop you right in the deep end with no explanations on why your answer was wrong. It does tell you the right answer but you are very much fumbling your way along, and also there's nobody to tell you how your pronunciation is.

I am very much a visual learner so have been writing it all down. Without doing that, I would be much further behind than I am.

Hi @TheNoodlesIncident I went onto Amazon and searched things like 'Greek for children'; 'Greek for beginners' and came up with books that just did not seem to really hit what I was looking for;

www.amazon.co.uk/s?ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_12&crid=1TXQH3VVKQBIP&sprefix=greek+for+be%2Caps%2C203&k=greek+for+beginners&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

It has grammar and vocab books tucked in there as well.

I am going to check out every single recommendation on the thread, thank you so much everyone for recommending.

@Laquila your suggestion of Greek mythology was a great idea. I had forgotten, but my late FIL (who spent alot of time in Cyprus and adored it) had a passion for Greek mythology. He died some time ago, but your suggestion brought back some happy memories. :)

DS has spent the whole evening looking at youtube videos mentioned above. he bounced up to me about half an hour ago to say that 'se agape' means 'I love you'.

Not sure I will be able to keep up with him. :)

Parakalo

Ahh @BlueLobelia I'm glad to hear that about the Greek mythology - how lovely that there's a connection to your FIL.

I know the word agape as it's one of the classic (biblical??) types of love, I think, and there's also filial, romantic, and something else...I think I got this from a crossword clue 😂...hazy on the details!!...

Dd uses duolingo , supplement with online resources- try the Greek embassy website maybe?