Greek Level 1

Prerequisite for entry

For complete beginners or those who have had only very little contact with the language.

Term duration

10 x 2-hour classes.

Progression

After 20 hours students may progress to level 1+.

Aims and objectives

to enable students function at a basic level (in all four skills, i.e. listening, speaking, reading and writing) in Modern Greek;
to enhance the students' skills for learning the Greek language;
to increase awareness of aspects of Greek culture within a European / global context.

A communicative method of teaching / learning is fostered, although aspects of grammar are covered as well. Students are aided to reflect on their learning skills and experiential / autonomous learning is encouraged, including the use of interactive ICT material.

Course content

Main topics/themes to be covered:

the Greek Alphabet: how to use it for reading and writing
greetings, introductions and socialising in a formal or informal context
personal details: telling where you come from, where you live, your profession
basic information about Greece: main cities and islands
countries and languages
basic classroom, home and office vocabulary / understanding and giving instructions
the family - talking about and introducing family and friends
numbers / counting / phone numbers

Linguistic structures/ Phonetics

sounds and pronunciation (phonemes, combinations of letters etc…)
basic intonation patterns
basic spelling
affirmative, negative and interrogative forms
verbs: the verb είμαι / present tense and simple imperative / active verbs
definite and indefinite articles
nouns: genders / nominative and accusative case / introduction to the plural
personal and possessive pronouns

Learning resources

Books

The course is based on ΚΛΙΚ στα ελληνικά A1 / klik sta Ellinika A1 (by M.Karakirgiou and V. Panagiotidou, Centre of the Greek Language Publishers, Thessaloniki 2015).

References

Greek for you Α0/Ελληνικά για εσάς A0 (by E. Georgantzi, E. Radopoulou ,NEOHEL Publishers, Athens 2015).
Greek for you Α1/Ελληνικά για εσάς A1 (by E. Georgantzi, E. Radopoulou et al, NEOHEL Publishers, Athens 2015).
Greek Now 1 + 1, by Dimitra Dimitra and Marineta Papahimona, Nostos Publishers, Athens 2002, Athens 2002 (textbook, exercise book and audio-tapes
Greek, A Comprehensive Grammar of the Modern Language, by David Holton et al., Routledge, London 1999
The 100 Word Exercise book, by Ioanna Psalti, g-and-w publishing, England 2000
Learning Modern Greek, by Smaro Vogiatzidou, University Studio Press Publishers, Thessaloniki 2002 (textbook, exercise book, book for oral practice and audio-tapes)
Greek is a game, by Fani Balsamaki et al., Aristotelion University of Thessaloniki Publishers, Thessaloniki 2003 (variety of activities)
Learn Greek, Eurotalk, 1998 (CD-ROM)
World Talk Greek, Eurotalk Interactive, 1999 (CD-ROM)
Filoglossia 1, Institute for Language and Speech Processing, http://www.xanthi.ilsp.gr/filog