Once you know the Greek alphabet, you can sound out any word. A word starts to feel familiar after you've met it in many sentences you already follow. Comprehensible input is Greek like that: you mostly understand it, and the words you know explain the new ones.
What Comprehensible Input Looks Like
About one unfamiliar word per sentence, while you still follow the meaning.
At first, that's a short scene, like buying bread. Later, a podcast episode on a topic you know gives you enough clues to guess a word. If you lose track of most lines, go back to something easier for a while.
Your Roadmap by Level
Pick the row that sounds like you. The podcasts and shows don't use these levels, so treat each link as a place to start.
- Start With the Alphabet
I can't read the Greek alphabet yet.
Chapter 1 of Bubblegum's Greek Alphabet course starts with α, τ, μ and π, with words you can tap to hear.
Greek Alphabet course - Level 1
I can sound out words but not much else.
Ask Poppy, your AI tutor in Bubblegum, for very short Greek scenes with audio, like the bakery lesson further down this page.
- Level 2
I can read simple sentences.
Read a Beelinguapp story with the English beside it, and play the narration while your eyes stay on the Greek.
Beelinguapp Greek stories - Level 3
I can read short stories and messages.
Listen to an episode of Super Easy Greek, short talks in slow Greek about everyday life. Play it twice before you look anything up.
Super Easy Greek - Level 4
I can read longer texts about everyday life.
Read a Picture Perfect Greek story from the Holiday Greek newsletter, which explains its harder words in English.
Picture Perfect Greek - Level 5
I can follow complex topics, but miss some details.
Listen to Marilena and Dimitris on the Easy Greek podcast, where they talk about living in Greece. Note one expression from each episode and use it in your next conversation.
Easy Greek podcast - Level 6
I can read almost anything.
Watch a documentary on ERTFLIX, the streaming service of Greece's public broadcaster, about a place you've visited. Outside Greece, you'll need to register first.
ERTFLIX
When a row feels easy, try the next one. If almost every line sends you to the dictionary, go back a row.
Try It on a Real Lesson
Bubblegum
For serious learners, Bubblegum is the best app to learn Greek. You learn from Greek you can mostly understand, which is called comprehensible input.
- A Greek Alphabet course of eight short chapters teaches each letter with its sound.
- Lessons fit your level, interests, and goals.
- Read and listen to Greek lessons, stories, and news about things you care about.
- Ask Poppy about a sentence while you read.
- Regenerative Review™ brings saved words back in new lessons, and you can export them to Anki.
- Clear, expressive AI voices read every lesson aloud, with a different voice for each speaker.
- It doesn't play videos, and your own Greek articles can't become lessons. Paste a paragraph into the chat, and Poppy explains it.
- A new custom lesson costs us real money to make, so your first one is free, and Bubblegum Pro gives you unlimited custom lessons. The lesson library is free for everyone, because we believe everyone should be able to learn.
- Regenerative Review™
- Teaches the Greek Alphabet
Mobile
Frequently Asked Questions About Comprehensible Input
Do I Have to Learn the Alphabet First?
Yes. Everything you read is in Greek letters, and once you know their sounds, you can sound out new words on your own. Even the punctuation can surprise you at first: in Greek, ; is the question mark.
How Much Time Should I Set Aside?
Set aside three to five hours of Greek a week, in sittings of 15 to 30 minutes or more. Use most of it for reading and listening, and some for talking with a tutor or a Greek-speaking friend.
Which App Should a Beginner Choose?
If you are serious about learning Greek, start with Bubblegum. Poppy writes lessons at your level about things you like. Our Greek input comparison also covers stories with a translation beside them, podcasts, and Greek TV.
Is Bubblegum Free?
Yes. The lesson library is free for everyone, because we believe everyone should be able to learn. It holds lessons that other learners asked Poppy for. A new custom lesson costs us real money to make, so your first one is free, and Bubblegum Pro gives you unlimited custom lessons.
