Learning Modern Greek can be challenging, but it’s certainly manageable with the right approach. Greek is a very beautiful language and is certainly worth the effort. Here are some factors to consider:

1. Alphabet

• The Greek alphabet might be the first hurdle, as it’s different from the Latin alphabet. However, there are only 24 letters, so with practice, you can learn it fairly quickly. Many letters are similar to Latin ones, which helps.

2. Pronunciation

• Greek pronunciation is relatively straightforward. Unlike English, Greek has consistent pronunciation rules, so once you know how a letter sounds, it generally stays the same in all contexts. Some sounds, like the “th” in “theta” (θ) or the “ch” in “chi” (χ), might take some practice, but they’re not too difficult.

3. Grammar

• Greek grammar is more complex than English in some areas. Greek has three grammatical genders (masculine, feminine, and neuter), cases (nominative, genitive, accusative, and vocative), and verb conjugations that change based on tense, mood, and person. But don’t let this intimidate you—Greek grammar has a logic to it, and once you start recognizing patterns, it gets easier.

4. Vocabulary

• Some Greek words are familiar due to Greek influence on English vocabulary, especially in fields like science and philosophy. However, many common Greek words will be entirely new, which might slow down your progress initially.

5. Resources and Practice

• There are a lot of resources to learn Modern Greek, including apps like Duolingo and Drops, which will be a massive help with your Greek vocabulary or you can book an intensive Greek language course with a private tutor to get you started. We are able to arrange private Greek tuition for you either in Central London or online with one of our wonderful, tried and tested Greek teachers. Immersion is key, so watching Greek movies or listening to Greek music or podcasts will help reinforce vocabulary and improve listening skills.

Overall Difficulty

• For English speakers, Greek is classified as a “Category III” language by the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), meaning it takes a bit more time to achieve fluency compared to languages like Spanish or French. With consistent practice however, you can get conversational within a few months to a year, just like with any other language, depending on your dedication.

Learning Greek takes time, but the unique structure of the language and cultural depth make it a rewarding choice, especially if you’re interested in history, philosophy, or travel to Greece!