Talk Greek (Book + CD): The ideal Greek course for absolute beginners

Amazing - the BBC Active `Talk Greek' actually IS about talking - communicating - in Greek. And it is `active', with plenty of good practice material as well as regular quizzes.It starts by focusing on the basics for social situations. The authors have clearly thought about what you might want to say: for example, to `How are you?' you learn to reply not only `Fine', but also `So-so' - a handy phrase that other courses seem to ignore. (When you're in a new country, you DON'T always feel `fine'!)But what really clinched it for me (for that 5th star) is that the authors acknowledge that a place called Cyprus exists, and that people speak Greek here. Not that Cyprus features that often - but it is there, which is more than I can say for the other language courses I've sampled.The voices on the two CDs are clear, with a varied range of speakers. The use of English is minimal, and the accompanying coursebook uses the Greek alphabet as much as possible. At the end there is a concise section on grammar basics, and the Greek-English glossary gives the definite article with all nouns (which is the way to learn nouns, as you need the article even with personal pronouns).Bear in mind that this is definitely a basic beginner course, and doesn't purport to be anything else. It seems intended to feed into the BBC's more comprehensive `Greek Language and People' course, but is excellent on its own.

I learned small amount of Greek some years back this is how I learnt it and now refresher and moving to more advanced what you get from this course is perfect base and all you need to get on in Greece,?if you learn the basics the Greek will help tou move on when you get there to practice.?I promise you the locals will love you for trying,?a great bonder with Greek peole.

I have read some people say that the speakers on the CDs speak too fast. This will be normal speed that you need to get used to in a language -you will never understand native speakers unless you do. You will cinematographer on People speaking slowly. But don't worry, you will soon get into switching on at that speed. It is best to listen over and over again. Try to listen one time for a word. Just notice it in a sentence. Next time listen for another word. Then listen again trying to notice them bith . Then find and listen for a linking word. Then listen and try to hear the words and the linking word. E.g in English "how are you!" . You'd listen for "how". Just listen the the sentence again and again just listening for that word. Then listen for "you" and do the same. Then play the see again and again, listening for both words. Then concentrate on the linking word "are". Get used to hearing that. Then listen for the complete sentence "how are you"! As you've got so used to hearing "how" and "you", they will probably fall into place. Then you can extend this (dependent on what you are learnin) e.g. "How are you today?" . You recognise "how are you?" , you just need to get used to "today" and then used to the sentence "how are you today?" . Now you can extend it more "How are you today?" " I am fine, and how are you? ". So you just need to get used to "I am" (one word in Greek), and "fine". Tackle them first. Get used to them. So you recognise "how are you" & "I am fine", then get used to "today"" . And you have The complete conversation. Don't listen to something at normal speed and feel defeated. Think "right, this is normal speech, let's listen to the stress and pitch", learn the parts as above (the words in what order suits you), then try and mimic it with the accebt, the pitch, the stress etc to yourself in front of a mirror. Don't worry about feeling stupid -it's just you and the mirror. And then you will realise you are "speaking like a native"! And also I understanding people speaking Greek (or any other language) negative speakers at normal speed -real language -not contrived learners languagr. This will give you a huge boost to your abilities and confidence. And don't worry thinking "this will take ages if I have to do that with every sentence"! It won't. Once you get used to the "flow" of the !anguage, it will be normal to do it that way -¬ impose English stress etc on it. And languages are made up of "bits"! You learn bits and they start falling in together. You will find them coming up again and again -but you've already learnt them -and you fit them into other structures e.g. "How are you today?" , could be "how are you feeling?" So you've just added one new word to get a new exprrssion. That could be extended to a " more complicated" construction e.g. "How are you going to the shops?" ( note this is for English grammar as an example of how it works). Or "I am fine, but...." So the phrase you learnt " I am fine " you have learnt becomes a "link", as said language decomposed if bits. And if you really want them to go slower you can get free audio edition g software that allows you to alter the speed. You can slow downplay back, maybe doing the above but at a slower speed, then build it up to normal speed. Make sure you do that -and do not just stop at the slower speed -the aim is understand it at normal speed.Good luck. Language learning is fun. Don't be on off by "it's too fast, I can't understand" , you will if you are patient and also willing to make a bit of a fool of yourself in front of he mirror. Remember, it's is only you and the mirror...And maybe the cat or dog!!! And remember, speakers of the language in the country will be hugely grateful that you are attempting speak their language . Doing that opens many doors to you that those who make no attempt never even see the doors and end up with no real experience of he country!!!

Having spent many holidays on various Greek islands, I decided it was about time I learned a little more of the language than hello and thank you etc. Talk Greek is great. It consists of two cd's and a book. It is easy to follow. It is for the beginer. I mainly listen to it on my MP3 player. I found you do need to keep playing a section several times before moving on to the next, so that you perfect a section at a time. It covers various greetings, introducing friends and family and asking and understanding directions, counting, shopping, ordering food and drink and getting about on public transport. Very useful for holidays and great fun. I can't wait for my next greek holiday so that I can try it all out. The greeks really do love it when you have a go at their language and I'm sure my children will have a go too, as they have also picked quite a bit up through listening to me.

It Seems an excellent Way to learn Greek . I have just received it and it includes 2 Cds plus a book. A useful combination to learn.I bought this for my students as I can speak and Greek and English very well. It has been published recently so it is up to date with the language. I received it earlier than expected too!And what is more it comes in a professional package! The package speaks a lot...It is not an out of date like most of the books they publish online. I purchased one book written decades ago( trying to learn the drachmas Now Greece use EURO -what a joke) and that book was with meaningless discussions which is a waste of money. No one can learn from a book written in 1970s , 1980s. I was hearing the CD and I thought I was living in the 1960s.There are many such online .I made a mistake and I bought without checking dates.Be careful

The book get 3 stars because of the book itself : great for beginners, amazing for English speakers! Simple phrases to start a basic conversation in Greek. I would give 5 stars if the accompanying CDs were better: most of the speakers do not sound as natives and their speech is really awkward and far from 'genuine'... As if they are reading a rather difficult plot for the very first time while Greek is not their first language.

The book seems to be thin and the soundtracks short but after a month of short daily studying I realize how well this course is laid up. Combining it with quick and dirty Duolingo lessons work as a really effective way to learn Greek!

This is a great book to start learning greek. You have to adjust to the greek alphabet from teh beginning, this might be difficult. With the cd great for self study

VERY nice format - that makes it easy to learn!

Did not come with the cd's, so I sent it Back.