Is Greekpod101 right for you?

Greekpod101 is a great tool for beginners and mid-level learners. Most of the podcast episodes are geared toward those levels so advanced students of Greek may find the site less useful.

The site is also worth a look if you want to practice listening to native Greek speakers. Greekpod101 is through and through an audio based course. Each lesson is centered around a scripted conversation between two Greek speakers. Each lesson also does a pretty good job of introducing useful vocabulary and grammar in context.

Greekpod101 also provides a mobile app for Iphone, Ipad, and Android users; making it a good choice if you’re looking for way to take your Greek practice with you throughout the day.

Features​

Podcast episodes

Greekpod101’s audio lessons are the core of its content. The lessons are formatted as podcasts and each one features a Greek conversation. The conversations often illustrate specific grammar usage, cultural lessons, or useful phrases. The episodes range from 10-15 minutes long. 

Lifelike situations

Greekpod101 tries to keep their lessons relevant to real life. For the most part they succeed. Each podcast showcases a Greek conversation that introduces you to a new grammar concept, useful phrase, or cultural point.

Conversations are natural and interesting

Even though the conversations are scripted the speakers do a nice job of making them feel natural. The hosts also do their best to include personal anecdotes, jokes, or interesting facts to keep the material engaging. Overall it works. Greekpod101 is considerably less dry than other Greek audio courses.

​Tools and Resources

In addition to their podcast episode Greekpod101 also has a collection of add on learning tools and resources to help you in your Greek studies. Some come in handy and others are less helpful.

The three I like the most are the flashcards, slow playback, and lesson transcriptions (you need a premium or premium plus account to access these features).  

Flashcards

Greekpod101 allows you build your own flashcard decks with a click of the mouse. Their decks work similar to Anki or Memrise and use spaced repetition. They’re an effective and easy way to review new vocabulary.

Slow playback

Another useful tool is the ability playback words and lessons at a slower speed. This is ideal for anyone trying to improve their Greek pronunciation or listening skills.

Lesson transcripts

While not the most glamorous of the site’s bonus content, the lesson transcriptions are one of the most useful. You’ll need them if you want to easily go back and double check what was said in a Greek conversation. 

Other features

You’ll also find word lists, grammar helps, and a Greek dictionary on the site. These are useful tools but you don’t need a pay for a subscription to Greekpod101 to get them. They are available on other sites for free.

Price

Subscription levels​

You can subscribe to Greekpod101 on 1 of 3 levels: basic, premium, and premium plus.

Basic is the most affordable and offers the best value. With this level you get access to all podcast episodes, along with a couple other minor features like lesson notes and checklists. Basic with run you from $4 per month for 24 months up to $8 per month for 1 month. 

The premium level isn’t a bad price either. Premium gives you access to most of Greekpod101’s tools & resources (most importantly the lesson transcripts). Prices are $10 a month for 24 months to $25.00 per month for 1 month.

​Premium plus is the same as premium with the plus being that you get an assessment, lesson plan, and instruction for an actual teacher. Not a bad idea but the price for this level is steep: $22.88 per month for 24 months to $47 per month for 1 month. 

Which subscription should I buy?

In all honesty you’ll probably be fine with the complete podcast catalogue at the basic level. It’s definitely the best value. If you really want the bonus features (mainly the transcripts) then go ahead and try premium.

 The only level not recommended is the premium plus. If you want the help of a Greek teacher you’re better off getting a basic plan and using the rest of your money for lessons with a tutor on Italki.

Shortcomings of Greekpod101

You don’t actually need to speak Greek

If you’re looking for a learning tool Greekpod101 is a solid choice. If you’re looking for a full on course or method the site falls short.

That’s simply because you can’t replace human aspect of learning Greek. Sooner or later you have to speak the language and Greekpod101 doesn’t have any way to do that. 

Lack of community

It’d be nice if the site made an effort to connect its learners through some sort of discussion, board, messaging system, or even practice chat rooms. Many other language learning sites do this. I’m not sure why Greekpod101 doesn’t.

Best way to use Greekpod101​

Study & review

It is best to use Greekpod101 for practice and review. You’re likely to see your Greek improve by simply listening to one episode a day and jotting down any new material that sticks out to you.

 Put new words into a flashcard deck to review later. A few minutes of review will help keep you from forgetting what you studied. 

Listening & pronunciation​

With its lesson transcripts, slow playback, and audio content, Greekpod101 is well suited for practicing pronunciation. If you find any difficult words or sounds use these features to isolate the problem areas and help you make the need corrections. 

Milk the learning clock

Throughout the week there a likely many moments of 5-15 minutes where you’re waiting in line, getting around, or just killing time. If you get the Greekpod101 mobile app these moments can now be extra time spent on practicing your Greek. A few minutes here and there can really add up. 

Conclusion

Greekpod101 is a great way to practice your Greek and improve your accent, vocabulary, and grammar. It can be pretty cheap too depending on which subscription you choose.

Just remember that Greekpod101 shouldn’t be the only tool you use to learn Greek. You especially want to make an effort to speak with native Greek speakers. 

Greekpod101 allows a free 1 week trial (no payment info required), so definitely check it out for yourself and see if it’s right for you.