Listening comprehension exercises are essential for improving your listening and speaking skills in a foreign language. They help you immerse yourself in the language, understand how native speakers converse in a natural way, and memorize helpful words and phrases that you can later use when speaking Greek or any other language you currently learn. Helinika created a new video series on YouTube called “Greek Listening Comprehension” that does exactly that.
What Are Helinika’s Listening Comprehension Videos?
Helinika’s instructor talks about a topic in Greek, providing you with Greek and English subtitles. Depending on your level, you either listen to the audio without paying attention to the subtitles, read only the Greek subtitles, or only the English subtitles. Since some of the words might be challenging even for proficient Greek speakers, the video script for each video will be uploaded here, on Helinika’s website.
The most common modern Greek verb is the verb “είμαι” (to be). The Greek verb “to be” has only three forms: one for the present, one for the future, and one for the past. There are no specific forms for every single modern Greek tense for the verb “είμαι”.
Now that you have learned how to form all the modern Greek tenses, it would be very helpful to have some of the most common Greek verbs in the first person singular of every single tense. Helinika created a table with 30 common Greek verbs (regular/irregular, active/passive). Learning Greek is much easier than you think. Start by memorizing these verbs and you will already be able to maintain short conversations in Greek!
There are many reasons to learn Greek but few people have money in mind. By learning modern Greek, you acquire a rare and valuable skill that you can use for your own benefit. Here is how to make your rare language skills into a money-making machine.
You want to learn the modern Greek language but “it’s all Greek to you”? Learn Greek with Helinika’s Udemy course for absolute beginners. No need to attend any classes beforehand. You will be taught the letters of the Greek alphabet, the various letter combinations, the cases of the nouns, the conjugation of verbs, and you will be provided with downloadable and printable learning materials. Optional assignments and a final test are also included.
“I Completed Helinika’s Course for Absolute Beginners. Now What?”
Once you complete the course and you have already built a strong foundation, you can improve your skills by watching our 100% free videos on YouTube. You can also find Helinika’s recommendations for Greek language learning textbooks here. Helinika’s courses are perfect for independent and self-motivated language learners who prefer creating their own language learning schedule. You have the power to reach your goals faster than others and without spending a fortune.
Looking for books and textbooks for learning modern Greek? Helinika has gathered the best Greek language textbooks and dictionaries you can buy from Amazon!
The Passive Voice in Modern Greek is called «Παθητική Φωνή» and it is used to emphasize the action and not the subject in a sentence. It is also used when the subject is unknown. The Modern Greek Passive Voice is formed differently from English and often puzzles non-native speakers. For example, why does the Greek verb “to sleep” is always in Passive Voice?
Greek verbs can be active, passive, or have both an active and passive form. It is generally easy to distinguish a passive from an active verb. For example, Greek passive verbs in the present tense end in -μαι -σαι -ται -μαστε -στε -νται.
Για παράδειγμα,
«Ο μάγειρας ετοιμάζει το φαγητό. Το φαγητό ετοιμάζεται.»
“The cook is preparing the food. The food is being prepared.”
Here is how to form the Passive Voice in Greek:
You can’t memorize the meaning of every single verb at once. The more you read in Greek, and the more you listen native speakers talk, the easier it will be to understand the use of each verbs in different contexts. Be patient and try not to use the grammatical rules that apply in your native language when forming the Greek Passive Voice.
Looking for books and textbooks for learning modern Greek? Helinika has gathered the best Greek language textbooks and dictionaries you can buy from Amazon!
Looking for an article that explains the formation of the tenses in modern Greek? You came to the right place. Here are “οι χρόνοι των ρημάτων” (the tenses of the verbs) in Greek.
Grammatical tenses help us understand whether we refer to the past, present, or future. They also specify duration and are manifested by the use of verbs. The modern Greek language has eight (8) tenses: Ενεστώτας, Αόριστος, Παρατατικός, Παρακείμενος, Υπερσυντέλικος, Μέλλοντας Στιγμιαίος, Μέλλοντας Εξακολουθητικός, Μέλλοντας Συντελεσμένος.
The Greek Present Tense | Ο Ενεστώτας
The Greek Present Tense is called “Ενεστώτας”. It describes events and actions that happen in the present time. Ενεστώτας is both Present Simple and Present Continuous. Here is how to form it:
The Greek Future Simple and Future Continuous | Ο Μέλλοντας Στιγμιαίος & Ο Μέλλοντας Εξακολουθητικός
The Greek Future Simple is called “Μέλλοντας Στιγμιαίος” or “Απλός Μέλλοντας” and it describes actions and events that will happen once in the future. On the other hand, the Greek Future Continuous, “Μέλλοντας Εξακολουθητικός, describes actions that will be happening in the future. Here is how to form them:
The Greek Perfect Tenses: Παρακείμενος, Υπερσυντέλικος & Μέλλοντας Συντελεσμένος
In modern Greek, the Present Perfect is called “Παρακείμενος”, the Past Perfect is called “Υπερσυντέλικος”, and the Future Perfect is called “Μέλλοντας Συντελεσμένος”. The verb “έχω” (to have) is used in all three tenses. Here is how to form them:
The Greek Past Tenses: Αόριστος & Παρατατικός
When talking about the past, Greeks use “Αόριστος” (Simple Past) and “Παρατατικός” (Past Continuous). Here is how to form the Greek Past tenses:
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Οk, now that you get a basic understanding of how you can describe your feelings, let’s see how to you can express your personal opinions. The two most common nouns in Greek are (η) γνώμη and (η) άποψη. The first derives from the ancient verb «γιγνώσκω» (to know), meaning that your opinion is based on knowledge, whereas the second derives from the ancient noun «ἄποψις» (the viewpoint), and it carries the same meaning today.
Looking for books and textbooks for learning modern Greek? Helinika has gathered the best Greek language textbooks and dictionaries you can buy from Amazon!
Helinika’s shop on Redbubble is introducing a new collection named “Minimal Shape and Line Art”. Inspired by the simplicity of the Greek aesthetic, these wall art designs will add character to your living space.
Helinika’s shop on Redbubble is introducing a new collection named “Minimal Shape and Line Art”. Inspired by the simplicity of the Greek aesthetic, these wall art designs will add character to your living space.
Find the perfect framed art print for your Athenian apartment. Perfect gift for your friends who are moving to Athens. House warming gifts and Greek souvenirs.
You can now find Helinika’s school emblem on RedBubble and order it as a sticker or magnet. Stick it to your fridge and/or notebooks and become a true member of Helinika’s international community.
Some people are raised in bilingual families and many more start learning a second language in their childhood. Starting a new language later in life is much easier in this case. You know how to start, where to look for resources, and you don’t fully depend on your language instructor. But what if you have been a monolingual most of your life and finally decide to learn a foreign language? Where do you start?
Language Learning Tips for Absolute Beginners | How to Learn a Language
Helinika helps hundreds of people across the globe learn Greek, which is one of the most difficult European languages. By following our strategy, you can learn any foreign language. Allow me to present to you Helinika’s effective language learning tips.
Not everyone studies a foreign language for the same reasons. A person who is moving to a foreign country and does not speak the local language will prioritize their study sessions much higher than someone who simply learns a new language as a hobby. By defining your language learning goals you can then plan your lessons and study sessions more efficiently. It is also important to clarify whether you need to obtain a language certificate and understand how and when you can register for your first exam.
Create a Realistic Language Learning Schedule
To become proficient in a language, you need to practice multiple times per week. It is estimated that you need between 480 and 720 hours of studying to reach basic fluency, something that you should keep in mind if you have a specific deadline (e.g. a proficiency exam, a move to a foreign country etc.). However, not all hours spent studying are equal. If you go to a classroom right after a 10-hour work shift, while you are sleep-deprived or stressed-out due to personal reasons, your brain might refuse to cooperate. Moreover, new findings suggest that most people can’t focus on learning a new language for hours at a time. The optimum time is estimated to be 30 minutes, which might come as a surprise for many people. If you find it hard focusing in a classroom after an hour, then you should consider studying for thirty minutes six days per week, instead of three hours straight once per week.
Find a Language Instructor
Polyglots have participated in so many language learning classes that they know the method of learning a new language by heart. However, if you only speak one or two languages, finding a language instructor is essential. This person will guide you through this whole process, assign you exercises, answer your questions, test your abilities, offer feedback, and, hopefully, provide you with resources and study materials. You can either register in a course in your local language school or in a University program and attend classes with many other students. Or you can find a private tutor in your neighborhood or online and schedule one-on-one meetings. Another option, which is gaining popularity, is finding an on-demand tutor in a platform such as Udemy or Teachable and watch their pre-recorded lessons. Each option has its own pros and cons. For example, joining a class will motivate you by seeing the progress of other people, however, it is less flexible and more time-consuming. A private tutor can create personalized lessons based on your needs, however, these classes can be very costly. Finally, the on-demand classes are extremely flexible and affordable, however, some students might feel less motivated to attend the classes, since no one is watching them. There is no right or wrong answer as to what type of instructor you should find. It all depends on your own personal needs.
Some language instructors offer free books and resources for their students. Others recommend some affordable materials that gather all the grammatical rules, important words and phrases, texts, and exercises that you need to progress. A textbook focusing on Grammar and another focusing on Vocabulary based on your level (A1-A2 Beginner, B1-B2 Intermediate, C1-C2 Advanced/Proficient) are essential. For example, Helinika has not only gathered the best Greek language textbooks for English speakers, but also provides some additional free resources multiple times per week.
Looking for books and textbooks for learning modern Greek? Helinika has gathered the best Greek language textbooks and dictionaries you can buy from Amazon!
Download a Language Learning App
If you own a smartphone, it is highly recommended to download a language learning application, such as Duolingo, Mondly, Babbel etc., and spend some productive time on your phone. Next time you are stuck in a bus, at the airport, or at waiting room, you can practice your target language instead of scrolling aimlessly on Instagram.
Get in Touch with a Native Speaker
If you already live in a country where they speak your target language, finding native speakers is an easy task. However, if you do not know anyone who speaks this language, you can always join a tandem group in your local town or online. For example, Helinika recently created such a group for people who want to learn how to speak Greek. By communicating with a native speaker, you can boost your speaking and listening skills. You can also notice how people actually communicate – the contractions, the non-verbal cues, and the slang terms they use.
Practice the Language Immersion Technique
Studying a foreign language can get boring sometimes. Especially when you need to understand all the new grammatical rules and memorize the vocabulary. However, learning can also be fun. Once you have reached an intermediate level, it is recommended to get out of your comfort zone and immerse yourself in the target language. Read a book, watch a movie with or without subtitles, and, finally, join a class or start a hobby that is held in your target language but is not a language learning class. For example, cook something but follow the instructions in the target language. This way, you will challenge yourself, you will expand your vocabulary in no-time, and you will practice without actually studying the “traditional way”.
Find Ways to Motivate Yourself
Many people start learning a new language, they get super excited, but once they get on the advanced level and things start getting harder and harder, they lose their motivation and quit. Whatever the language you start learning is, it is important to find ways to motive yourself and keep making progress. Remind yourself why you started learning this language in the first place; how much time, money, and energy you have invested, and what a pity it would be to quit few levels before becoming a fluent speaker. If you feel overwhelmed, you can always take a break from learning for a while. But keep in mind that you should avoid abstaining from studying a language for months or years, because you might have to cover the things you already learned once you are back on track.
How to Learn Greek with Helinika | Learn Greek Online
In case you are new here, Helinika is an e-learning platform that offers a complete video course for learning Greek on Udemy, along with countless free resources that can help you practice the Greek language. The first aims at building a strong foundation that covers all the basics – from the pronunciation and the letter combinations to important grammatical rules- and the second aims at helping you progress and reach your goals faster. If you are interested in learning Greek, you can claim your Udemy discount by Helinika, and, if you are interested in complementary free resources, subscribe to Helinika’s YouTube channel!
Important Announcement: A New and Improved Helinika is Coming!
Helinika has been uploading Daily Greek Videos four times a week, plus an extra video on Greek mythology, Greece, philosophy, and any other relevant topic every Friday. I am very happy to announce that, once you “graduate” from your daily Greek routine, a new series of videos will start and a new schedule will be applied as well.
Eventually, Mondays will be dedicated on Language Immersion videos that will act as listening exercises. These will be perfect for everyone who has watched all of Helinika’s videos so far and/or registered in the Udemy courses. Wednesdays will be dedicated on travel advice, facts about Greece, and being an expat, while Fridays will dedicated on Greek mythology/ drama/ philosophy and anything related to the history of Greece. Many of you are following Helinika for the Greek language videos, others for the ancient Greek storytimes, and others for the travel/expat tips. Once the daily Greek series is completed, you will all be able to watch your favorite kind of videos every week!
How excited are you for the new series? Feel free to comment any article/video recommendations you might have!
