Always wanted to learn Greek but put off by a new alphabet?  

Gentle Greek Level 1 is for complete beginners who want to start properly, in a relaxed afternoon class with time to ask questions, practise and try again. 

You’ll learn the Greek alphabet and its sounds step by step, so that by the end of the course you can read and write simple words and sentences. Alongside this you’ll start speaking straight away: greeting people, introducing yourself and others, and asking and answering simple personal questions. 

Each session is 1 hour 45 minutes, a little longer than our regular classes, so new language, and a new alphabet, has time to settle before you move on. 

Course format 

Why choose Gentle Greek? 

• The same content as our regular Level 1, with two extra hours of class time 

• Longer afternoon sessions, so there’s time to practise, ask questions and review 

• A relaxed, supportive group where you can build confidence speaking 

• Qualified, experienced teachers at a trusted school in the heart of Covent Garden 

• A clear path onwards to Level 2 

This course is for complete beginners, or anyone who knows a few words of Greek but has never studied it in a structured way. 

It’s a good fit for 

• Adults starting Greek from zero who prefer a calmer, more supported pace 

• People with free weekday afternoons, including shift workers, freelancers, parents and retirees 

• Anyone with Greek family or friends, or a love of Greece, who wants a proper foundation 

• Learners who like time to consolidate before moving on 

This course may be especially useful if you want to 

• Learn the Greek alphabet properly, without rushing 

• Build confidence speaking from the very first lesson 

• Get used to learning in a group, in a supportive setting 

• Set yourself up well for Level 2 

How does this compare to our other Greek courses? 

Gentle Greek and our regular courses cover exactly the same content and lead to the same outcomes. Gentle courses simply give you more time: eight sessions of 1 hour 45 minutes (14 hours) rather than 12 hours.

The content below is a rough guide. Your teacher may add extra material when the group is progressing well, or adapt topics to suit your interests and background, so there’s always time to consolidate before moving on. 

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to 

• Greet people and respond when someone asks how you are 

• Introduce yourself and someone else 

• Ask for and give simple personal details 

• Say where you and other people are from, using countries and towns 

• Use numbers from 0 to 10 

• Read and write the Greek alphabet, and pronounce its sounds 

Language you’ll learn along the way 

What your Greek will sound like 

Γεια σου! Είμαι η Άννα. 

Yia sou! Íme i Ánna. 

Hello! I’m Anna. 

Τι κάνεις; Πολύ καλά, ευχαριστώ. 

Ti kánis? Polí kalá, efcharistó. 

How are you? Very well, thank you. 

Αυτός είναι ο Νίκος. 

Aftós íne o Níkos. 

This is Nikos. 

Καλημέρα, Νίκο! 

Kaliméra, Níko! 

Good morning, Nikos! 

Self-study 

We recommend around an hour of self-study a week. The coursebook’s audio downloads are a great way to practise listening between lessons, and your teacher will suggest exercises to consolidate what you’ve learnt. 

What’s next? 

After this course you can continue to Greek Level 2, in the Gentle format or any of our other Greek courses.

Do I need any Greek before I start? 

No. Level 1 starts from the very beginning, including the alphabet. If you already know some Greek, our free online placement test will help you find the right level. 

Do I need to buy a coursebook? 

The course uses Pes to Ellinika A1–A2 (ISBN 9789607914460), which comes with downloadable audio. It covers all of our A1 and A2 Greek levels, so you’ll keep using it as you progress. You can buy it via our website, and we’ll share the link in your welcome email. 

How is Gentle Greek different from your regular Level 1? 

The content and outcomes are the same. The difference is time: Gentle courses run for 14 hours over eight 1 hour 45 minute afternoon sessions, rather than 12 hours, so there’s more room for practice, review and questions. 

Is the Greek alphabet difficult to learn? 

Less than most people expect. Many letters will look familiar from maths and science, and Greek is spelt very consistently. You’ll learn it gradually, with plenty of practice in class. 

Will the course follow the book exactly? 

Mostly, but not page by page. Your teacher may add extra content when the group is progressing well, and may adapt topics to suit your interests and background. 

Why does the teacher speak Greek in class? 

Hearing Greek throughout the lesson is one of the most effective ways to build your listening and comprehension. Your teacher will always make sure you understand, using gesture, visuals and carefully chosen language. 

Will I be speaking in class? 

Yes. Speaking is at the heart of every session, in a supportive and encouraging group where making mistakes is part of learning. 

What happens after this course? 

After this course you can continue to Greek Level 2, in the Gentle format or any of our other Greek courses.

Greek Level 1 is a Beginners Greek course for students who have never studied the Greek language before.

Lessons take place once a week.

Course Content

Why not try out a sample beginners Greek lesson before signing up to a full course? These one-off sessions are aimed at students who have never studied the Greek language before.

Sample Lesson Plan

• Greeting people
• Introducing yourself and someone else
• Asking and giving personal details (name, nationalities, profession, age, phone number, date of birth)