The Greek App

Or maybe I thought that apps had to be as good as human to human learning?

3 Best Apps To Learn Greek For Free

Everyone’s raving about how useful, easy and non expensive learning with apps can be.

Still, I found it hard to learn with recorded (and sometimes annoying) voices, pop-up ads and non-human interaction.

I guess I wasn’t patient enough?

Or maybe I thought that apps had to be as good as human to human learning?

Once I got past these thoughts, I appreciated apps for what they are; a very useful tool, complementary to everything else we use to learn languages.

In this post, you’ll learn about 3 apps you can use for your Greek learning, from a Beginner to an Intermediate level. Ready?

A FEW IMPORTANT NOTES:

I need to mention here that this is NOT a sponsored or affiliated post

All opinions are my own

This post is about the FREE versions (worth repeating)

If you have any questions, tech or otherwise, please contact the apps customer service directly

Just to mention that I use these apps on an Android device – not sure how different they can be on an iPhone

#1 Memrise

Memrise won the Best app award in the 2017 Google Play Awards.

Awards are fantastic – still nothing beats trying something out yourself.

If you haven’t used Memrise to learn Greek, (link, works on desktop for the Greek courses!) then there are two things you need to know:

Memrise focuses on vocabulary and repetition.

All courses are created by its members and some are created by the Memrise team.

BUT: Greek language has the so called Community Courses only.

*** This practically means that you can’t find the Greek courses from the “Search” function within the Memrise Mobile App anymore.***

Here’s a way to work around this:

If you don’t have an account, go ahead and create one.

Now when you start learning any Greek course on the website it will automatically be added to your course list within the app on your phone (provided you are signed in with the same username).

The good:

You can try any course. There’s no test or locked material, you just pick anything you find interesting and suitable.

Let’s say you want to learn Intermediate Greek (link, works on mobile + desktop)

Memrise’s free version allows you to use the Learn and Review tool, but not the rest (difficult words, pro chat etc).

In your account’s settings, you can choose how many words you learn and review each time.

You start with a set of words, which you learn through tap the word, matching, fill in the blank etc. activities. The faster you do it, the more points you earn.

Spaced repetition (vocabulary repetition after some time has passed) is a huge asset and Memrise makes sure you use that a lot.

I also love that you don’t need to use your phone’s keyboard; Memrise gives you the letters under the new word, then you tap on them to write it.

In some courses, there’s audio from native or non-native speakers. Make sure you read the course’s description to pick the right one for you!

As I mentioned before, there’s no official Memrise Course for Greek, so click the link to find courses created by the community. (link, works on desktop!)

While this makes for a “not so great” thing about Memrise, hold on, because it also means you can create your own course to review and share with your teacher (or your students, if you teach Greek).

The not so good:

As you probably noticed, finding the Greek courses is a real pain on mobile.

It’s a shame, really, because there is so much material on the app, used by thousands of learners. For this, follow the workaround solution as mentioned above.

At the same time, course creation by members has sometimes its drawbacks.

In just a single course, I spotted some spelling mistakes, some inaccurate translations to Greek and a wrong accent, which changed the meaning completely.

However, the more popular a course is, the less mistakes it has because people spot them and the team behind it constantly improves it.

To recap:

When you use Memrise you’ll work on vocabulary with spaced repetition.

You can build your own Greek vocabulary or grammar course or choose through a large number of courses. Find them here. (this is a link and only works on desktop! For use on mobile, refer to the paragraphs above.)

#2 Duolingo

This is another winner; Duolingo (link) was Apple’s iPhone App of the Year 2013 and it’s definitely another free option for learning Greek.

The good:

Duolingo’s courses (link) remind me of a more traditional approach to language learning.

You test for your level and your lessons get unlocked as you learn. This way you know exactly what you’re aiming for, so it’s pretty much as if you have your personal tutor.

People who don’t want to get overwhelmed see definitely an advantage in this.

Another benefit of this is that you learn within a well thought plan.

New words are introduced and then repeated; you take out from the lesson some new vocabulary you can actually use.

Another plus is that there’s always audio in the course and you always get an accurate pronunciation, which is so very important when you learn a language.

I love it that it has a slower version of audio, so you can use this if you feel the first one is too fast.

By tapping on the new words, you get both the translation and the pronunciation so you first learn the words this way.

The second part is when you review the words, and it’s where the language games really kick off.

Tapping the right word, filling out the sentence, picking the right answer are some of the activities.

Even if you miss an accent or misspell something, you get a gentle reminder instead of a red cross mark (I can assure you, being a language teacher did not make me feel any better about red cross marks.).

The not so good:

In case you want to know what’s ahead or study a different set; for example, adjectives or food, Duolingo doesn’t let you.

Not being able to do so, makes me feel that the App has all the power. Not great.

Also, when you test for your level, you might also understand most of the audio but then fail to spell the answers accurately.

Does this make you a complete beginner? No, but the app thinks so.

You’ll be then forced to start from 0 on Duolingo, which is, to be honest, boring.

I get it, it’s one of the things apps can’t really understand, because ….you know, apps!

To recap:

Duolingo is a great tool to use among others for your vocabulary learning.

If learning step by step is your thing, while taking advantage of Duolingo’s really good audio clips, then go here for the Greek course and to test your level.

#3 Clozemaster

What you first need to know is that this app is best for Intermediate students and up. It is based in learning new words in context.

Second, it is based on cloze, which means fill-in-the gap type of activities.

Naturally, you need to be able to know how to read Greek and understand a good amount of vocabulary before you start with this app.

You can find the Greek course (from English) here. You can also choose to learn Greek from other languages as well. In this case, go here and choose the language you speak (on top, right)

The good:

Clozemaster uses Tatoeba, a database of sentences that are specifically designed for language learners.

This practically means that you have access to a huge number of examples.

The whole idea of learning in context is one I really love because I simply find it very effective. You don’t just learn one word after the next; you practice the word in a suitable context.

The app is free to use even without an account. You simply visit the website. To store any progress however, just sign up for free.

This way, you’ll be able to use the review option and repeat from time to time any words you ‘ve chosen.

The not so good:

Because the sentences are pulled from the crowed-sourced platform Tatoeba, there can occasionally be errors. In case you do recognize one, you can report it.

As well, if you like variety like I do, you might find that the whole fill-in-the gap thing becomes a bit boring after a while.

That said, you can solve this by using the app as often as you want. Remember, it’s an app to help you, not an app to teach you everything.

To recap:

Clozemaster helps you learn new vocabulary in context. You fill in sentences with missing words and then move to the next.

You can use the review option and repeat the vocabulary you want.

You can learn from English or choose any other available source language. Find the Greek course here (from English).

Greek follows an SVO word order, but this can vary depending on the sentence. It uses a complex inflection system that sees nouns, verbs and adjectives change based on the case. It also has three grammatical genders, masculine, feminine, and neuter. Verbs are inflective and conjugate based on different categories such as aspect and tense.

Why Should You Learn A New Language Like Greek?

There are so many reasons why people choose to learn a new language like Greek. Having a clear cut reason why you want to learn will help you with your motivation and give you the push to learn on when you might feel out of your depth. While there are a lot more complex reasons, here are a few you should consider when starting your language learning journey:

Traveling:
You know what would make travel infinitely easier and more enjoyable? The ability to speak the language of the locals. This will make it much easier for you to get to know the people and learn much more about the culture of the area. It unlocks so many more opportunities to see places off the beaten path, try new and interesting food, and see the country from a different perspective.

Business:
Of course, knowing the language of your business partners would make day to day operation much smoother. It takes away a lot of the ambiguity and helps get to the point. In addition, it opens more opportunities to travel for work, work abroad or just get a more prestigious job at home. Speaking multiple languages is a well sought after skill that may just set you apart from others applying for the same position.

Improving Yourself:
Learning a new language is among the most common new years resolutions people make. While many people do not follow through, those that are determined to improve themselves and learn new skills really put in the effort to achieve their goal. Becoming fluent in a target language is very fulfilling and gives you a chance to meet new people and explore more. Otherwise, it is a very impressive feat that you can show off to everyone you know.

Meeting New People:
Have you ever thought that, by learning a language like Mandarin, you would open up the possibility to speak to over a billion people? Whether you have friends that you want to try speaking with in their native language, or you are looking to meet new people from different cultures, learning a new language is one of the best ways to go about it. Having these native speakers as friends and speaking to them frequently will also help you practice and learn even more.

Understanding Media:
Whether you listen to K-Pop, watch Japanese anime, or enjoy reading German literature, learning the language of the media you are consuming will make the experience much easier. Beyond just understanding the language, you will also pick up on the more subtle cultural aspects of the text that sometimes get lost in translation. Being able to see yourself progress as you begin understand what you are reading or hearing is a great motivation and will make you feel great.

Improve your Greek vocabulary with LinGo Play app! Choose the topics you’re interested in or the way of learning Greek words that is the most efficient for you. These Greek vocabulary app exercises are essential for your success!

Greek learning app LinGo Play

The first aspect of learning Greek language is understanding the bits and pieces that come together to form a language. It is equally important to learn the unique linguistic features of the Greek language. If it’s not the first time you’re encountering Greek grammar or learning Greek vocabulary, you know what the Greek language has in store for you.

To make sure you learn Greek quickly, the most important thing you need to do is put together a list of exciting, accurate goals to plan your time and studies efficiently. Paving your way through a challenge is not something you can do overnight, and same is the case with Greek language. Your friend in need, your Greek language learning app should help you accomplish your goals by keeping an eye on your progress. Moreover, it should provide you with a simple structure that helps you learn fast and achieve the desired results. Get ready to unravel loads of useful tips and tricks polyglots leverage to become masters of multiple languages.

All the language learning lessons are available on the web as well as on your iOS and Android devices. With the LinGo Greek learning app, you don’t need to rely on anyone to learn Greek language. You can easily accomplish the goal by self-learning methods. Greek words, phrases and lessons are structured in a way that will help you learn the language quickly and easily. You can pick the topics that interest you the most or a method using which you can learn Greek words easily.

Mondly is a great app for beginners. If you don’t know a single word of Greek, check out this app first to get you started. It doesn’t have traditional lessons; instead, the app is all about the vocabulary.

HelloTalk

HelloTalk is a free app that lets you chat with native speakers of almost any language in the world. This is a great app for people who already know some Greek and want to work on their communication skills. The app is also suitable for people who are just starting to learn the language, they just need to select the Beginner level to start learning Greek.

You can send text messages to people, chat on video calls, as well as send and receive messages. You can also post your own content and get feedback, which is pretty cool. HelloTalk is basically just one big social media platform specifically designed for people who are trying to learn a new language or improve their existing knowledge.

Price: Free with ads, $6.99 per month

New government-issued symbols for display at catering and entertainment venues in Greece. Indoor entrance for vaccinated only, and banner for venues with fully vaccinated staff. #Greece #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/TVq9pqFg4m — Derek Gatopoulos (@dgatopoulos) July 13, 2021

Greek launches “Covid Free GR” App for checking certificates, tests results

Greeke’s Digital Governance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis presented on Tuesday the digital application “Covid Free GR” for the check of Covid-certificates and tests results to allow access to facilities for dinning and other activities. The app will be used by restaurants and entertainment venues to check if the European certificates of immunization against Covid-19 presented by their customers are genuine.

The app will be available for download on Tuesday, to either iOS or Android phones or tablets and is provided free of charge via the Hellenic Republic’s official account in App Store and Google Play.

Pierrakakis said the process of downloading the app is simple and easy and clarified that this will present only the name of the certificate holder, in order to check against ID.

The app will not store any personal information or history, the minister said.

He added that verification of the European certificates will not require internet access but that it is necessary for verifying the Greek certificates.

The app has three colour codes, with green indicating valid vaccination or immunization through contracting Covid, yellow indicating a confirmed negative PCR or rapid test and red meaning an invalid certificate or error.

In order to be admitted to an indoor entertainment venue, vaccination certificates are valid 14 days after the final vaccine dose, certificates of immunity through illness are valid up to six months after diagnosis, rapid tests are valid for 48 hours – starting at 00:01 on the date the sample was taken – and PCR tests are valid for 72 hours, again from 00:01 on the date the sample was taken.

The App can be downloaded also from the covidfree.gov.gr website.

Greece will allow the opening of indoor venues in the time July 16 – August 31, 2021, for vaccinated customers only.

Outdoor spaces are mixed, that is for vaccinated and not vaccinated customers, who apparently still have to show certificates or negative tests, KTG understands.

KTG also understands that the App is for the stores to download and not for customers or for both stores and customers or who cares as mainstream media are not clear about the purpose either.

On Twitter-sphere Greeks are confused and it seems that it is for bouncers, after all.

Name “Covid Free” is anyway misleading because even if one is vaccinated, immunity is not 100%.

Meanwhile, the government issued also symbol badges to display at catering and entertainment venues..

New government-issued symbols for display at catering and entertainment venues in Greece. Indoor entrance for vaccinated only, and banner for venues with fully vaccinated staff. #Greece #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/TVq9pqFg4m

— Derek Gatopoulos (@dgatopoulos) July 13, 2021

PS but one cannot ask for perfection in a country where government communication citizens is always vague and sketchy.

Whether for entertainment or education, one of the major reasons kids give up an app is because they get used to formulaic content and structure. Specifically, effective learning is a dynamic, interactive procedure and this applies to Greek learning apps. With this in mind, Ellinopoula-Premium is a Greek learning app built to engage and guide kids into the world of Hellenism and the Greek language through structured methods and novel content. Most of all, our Greek learning app stands out for being inspired by Hellenism and the Greek language which provides us with endless material for kids to be excited about. With Ellinopoula-Premium, kids can expect to access all kinds of new material on a regular basis.

Game-Based Greek Learning Apps

At Ellinopoula we believe fun learning is effective learning. That’s why we work with education specialists to develop content to motivate kids to stay on the Greek learning path. Consequently, we regularly add new fun videos, games, and interactive activities with beautiful, colorful animations and loveable characters. Furthermore, in addition to Ellinopoula-Premium, our main Greek learning app, we offer ‘stand-alone’ game-based Greek learning apps for learners of Greek who want to learn by having fun playing an exciting game. These game-based Greek learning apps include ‘Spelling Duck’, ‘Shooting Hoops’, ‘Heroes and Monsters’, and ‘Soccer Goals’.

Convenient

Busy schedules and even bad weather may get in the way of kids going to Greek school. Similarly, holiday breaks may lead to kids forgetting a lot of the material they learned at Greek school. Consistency is crucial in learning Greek; kids have to practice a little every day and Greek learning apps can give this opportunity. Equipped with an iPad and Ellinopoula-Premium app, parents can give their kids the opportunity to have fun learning Greek, anytime. It also gives kids and parents the opportunity to share the joy of the learning experience.

Customized

Our Greek learning app is customized to each kid to ensure the curriculum is appropriate for their needs. Specifically, kids have access to the “Learning Path”, our highly effective method for motivating kids to stay on the course of learning Greek. The Learning Path is a set of step-by-step lessons which caters to children starting from little to no Greek; it begins with basic concepts and progresses according to each child’s needs.

In most cases, entertainment and education apps are a safer option for kids when compared to browsing a webpage. However, not all apps are link and ad-free; at Ellinopoula, kids’ safety and well-being is our No1 priority. Consequently, we screen all content on the platform and our Greek learning apps for safety and suitability. As a result, parents can have peace of mind that their kids are learning in an ad and distractions free environment. Ellinopoula is kid SAFE certified.

New Content

Whether for entertainment or education, one of the major reasons kids give up an app is because they get used to formulaic content and structure. Specifically, effective learning is a dynamic, interactive procedure and this applies to Greek learning apps. With this in mind, Ellinopoula-Premium is a Greek learning app built to engage and guide kids into the world of Hellenism and the Greek language through structured methods and novel content. Most of all, our Greek learning app stands out for being inspired by Hellenism and the Greek language which provides us with endless material for kids to be excited about. With Ellinopoula-Premium, kids can expect to access all kinds of new material on a regular basis.

Track Progress

One of the major benefits of Ellinopoula-Premium is that it gives parents and kids the tools to track their progress. Furthermore, Ellinopoula-Premium is a Greek learning app built to motivate kids to enjoy tracking their journey of learning Greek. Similarly, our content features stories of kids and heroes going on all kinds of adventures. Through these characters’ journeys and discoveries, kids also learn to track their own journey of learning Greek one step at a time.