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Steeped in a 3,500-year-old history (and a colorful one at that), Greek is one of the oldest languages in the world. To this day, it is still spoken and used as an everyday language by over 13 million native speakers primarily in Greece, Cyprus, and in regions of the Balkans and the Eastern Mediterranean.
And did you know that there are about 150,000 English words that have Greek roots?
Learning Greek is, therefore, a logical decision. Props to you if you’ve started looking at Greek learning apps — they’re among the quickest and most convenient ways to learn Greek.
But maybe you’ve been wondering how to start taking a Babbel Greek course. Babbel, after all, is among the most popular language learning apps out there.
Unfortunately, there’s no Greek on Babbel. But don’t be too disappointed because there are still great options for you!
What is Babbel?
First off, why even consider using Babbel?
If you’ve read my review of Babbel, you’d know that I love this app. And for good reason. Babbel effectively teaches languages through real-world conversations, delivering an authentic approach to languages.
This means you get to learn words, phrases, and expressions that are relevant and even essential. You can improve your reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills through various exercises such as filling in the blanks, matching images to words, spelling tests, and so on.
Among Babbel’s strongest features is its use of native speakers for its audio. You really hear the correct pronunciation, accents, and nuances in the spoken language. And that same accuracy is expected of you — you have to correctly pronounce and enunciate words to pass the speaking exercises.
For all its great points, Babbel also has its downsides. The most glaring is its slim catalog of languages. Babbel only offers 14 languages, and it doesn’t include Greek.
The best Babbel alternatives
There are many great alternatives to Babbel as well as effective apps to learn Greek. But how do you know which one’s the best for you? Well, that’s what this list is for. Here are three of my recommended apps for Greek learners:
1. Mondly
Those looking for an immersive and fun app to learn Greek will not be disappointed by Mondly. This excellent app can get you started with the Greek basics through short lessons that you can easily fit into your schedule.
Mondly is one of the most popular gamified language learning apps in the market. That said, it doesn’t skimp on value as it teaches relevant vocab, easy-to-understand explanations of grammar, and audio guides voiced by native speakers.
The perfect app for busy Greek learners, Mondly lessons can take as short as 10 minutes a day. If you’re consistent and competitive (gotta keep your spot on the leaderboard!), you can definitely play your way to mastery.
Key features:
- Essential vocabulary and digestible grammar lessons
- A perfect balance of gamification and valuable content
- Quick but effective lessons
2. Pimsleur
Try Pimsleur Greek for FREE today
As mentioned earlier, Greek is one of the oldest languages on the planet. How fitting would it be if you learned it with one of the oldest language learning methods?
Pimsleur has been around for almost 50 years, starting as a language software in audio CDs and then later on as audiobooks. The Pimsleur app packs the same tried and tested method, complemented with more interactive features like flashcards, matching games, and even cultural info cards.
Learning Greek on Pimsleur will help you be conversational as it teaches you authentic Greek pronunciation and accent. It prompts you to speak from day one, helping you grow confident along the way.
Not convinced? This review of Pimsleur might change your mind.
Key features:
- A scientifically proven method of building long-term memory
- 30-minute audio lessons that strengthen your listening and speaking skills
- Relevant Greek vocabulary and grammar taught in context
3. Ling
If you’re looking for a fun and accessible way to get started, Ling might be the perfect fit.
Ling ditches the traditional textbook approach, opting for a gamified experience. Through bite-sized lessons, puzzles, and interactive challenges, you’ll learn essential vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.
Ling also features a chatbot with whom you can practice real-life conversations, helping you gain confidence in speaking Greek.
Key features:
- Ideal for expanding your Greek vocabulary
- A visually appealing game-like interface
- Native speaker audio and chatbot to improve conversational skills
Other great resources to learn Greek
While the above three apps are great for learning Greek, your options are not limited to them. It’s not hard to find helpful resources such as podcasts, YouTube channels, websites, online Greek courses, or books to learn Greek. Here are some of the best:
Preply: Whether you want to expand your Greek vocabulary, learn authentic pronunciation, or dive deep into Greek literature, there’s an expert Preply tutor for you. These native Greek speakers can give you private coaching and feedback at affordable rates and flexible schedules! Try it now.
Bravolol: Learning Greek to prepare for a trip to Greece? Bravolol can help you learn important expressions that will come in handy when talking to native speakers. It’s free and also available offline so you can use it even in areas where there’s a spotty internet connection.
Italki: For Greek lessons from native speakers, italki is one of the best choices. This online tutoring platform connects you with professional teachers and community tutors at your preferred schedule and budget.
Clozemaster: For intermediate or advanced learners (or for beginners who want to challenge themselves), Clozemaster is the perfect tool for testing your Greek skills. Each cloze test presents sentences with blanks in them and your goal is to fill it in with the right word or phrase based on context.
Cudoo: Master essential Greek words and phrases, understand Greek grammar, and learn how to converse with native speakers with Cudoo’s Greek courses. Choose a course that fits your proficiency level or get a bundle for long-term learning. If you’re planning a business trip or looking for a job in Greece, you can also enroll in the Business Greek course.
Skillshare: As of writing, there are only a couple of Greek language courses on Skillshare. One specializes in the Greek alphabet while the other covers general beginner lessons. Both are ideal for those who have no background in Greek.
HelloTalk: Want to converse with native speakers but can’t go to Greece just yet? The language exchange app HelloTalk can help. Here, you can talk to Greek speakers via text, voice messages, or video calls. At the same time, you can teach your native language too!
Learn to Read Greek in 5 Days: It can sound too good to be true but it’s indeed possible to learn to read Greek in 5 days. To set your expectations though, this book covers the Greek alphabet and a set of 150 essential words. Perfect for beginners!
Complete Greek (Teach Yourself): Featuring 24 thematic chapters, this comprehensive Greek textbook teaches vocabulary, grammar, and other essential language structures through life-like dialogues. While this is designed for self-study, it can very well be used in a classroom setting because of its well-rounded approach.
Easy Greek: There are many YouTube channels for learning Greek. But Easy Greek stands out because of its unique way of teaching the language. The videos feature people in the streets of Greece so you can hear authentic use of the language and get a glimpse of the culture as well.
Live Lingua: Live Lingua does not offer paid live classes for Greek learners. But it has a wealth of online resources: 4 Greek courses, 25 ebooks, and 117 audio files. And all for free!
Conclusion
After seeing your options, I don’t think you’ll still be disappointed over the absence of a Babbel Greek course. With these Babbel alternatives and other resources, mastering Greek is within reach.
These tools, coupled with your determination, can take you to fluency. Keep pressing forward and don’t forget to enjoy the journey!