Review of: Greekpod101
Use: Audio lessons put together as podcasts. Greekpod101 also features in site study tools to go along with its audio content.
Effectiveness
Engaging podcasts help you learn words in context. But you'll have to practice speaking on your own
Price
Free content and monthly plans at $4 to $47 per month
Time Commitment
Each podcast is around 15 minutes long.
Ease of Use
Digital immersion without the tedious work
Structure
Podcasts are sorted by level of difficulty and subject.
I Like
- Over 1,200 podcast lessons
- Free content and affordable price
- Lessons are fun and interesting
- Built in flashcard system
I Don't Like
- No speaking required
- Limited community features
Summary: For a monthly subscription free Greekpod101 offers Greek audio lesson put together as podcasts. The lessons are organized by topic and difficulty level.
Greekpod101 stands out as a useful and effective tool for your learning. If you’re more proficient in the language then the site may not be the best for you, but for beginners and mid-level learners it provides a great way to learn grammar and vocabulary.
Most of all the podcasts are an excellent way to work on your Greek pronunciation and listening abilities.
You can access the site’s content directly from the web or via their mobile app.
They also over a free account and access to some basic content so that you can take some time to see if the product is right for you before you pay anything.
Subscription plans starting at $4 per month (Free plan available too)
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.
Greekpod101 provides well structured lessons around difficulty level and subject
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.
What other people are saying about Greekpod101
101languages.net
"Greek Pod 101 is useful for beginners to develop basic vocabulary and conversation skills.
Premium accounts offer a wide range of features that make learning Greek engaging and highly effective.
It is also suitable for intermediate learners due to the large amount of material available, although advanced learners may find the lessons somewhat basic for their needs."
Alternatives to Greekpod101
Price
Free
Time commitment
5+ minutes a day
Summary:
Duolingo is the best known language app, and for good reason. It's proven to be an effective way to learn basic grammar and vocabulary in a game like setting.
They have a solid Greek course that is easy to use, fun, and best of all free!
Price
$150 per level (CD) $119.95 (mp3)
Time commitment
30 minutes a day
Summary:
Pimsleur Greek is a completely audio based course. PImsleur Greek is more structured than Greekpod101. Pimsleur focuses almost exclusively on developing your Greek conversational skills. There's a huge emphasis on speaking, listening, and thinking in Greek.
The vocabulary in Pimsleur Greek errs on the side of formal language, so you will be learning very polite Greek. The course also highlights fewer but more useful words in their daily lessons.
Price
$6+ per hour (varies between teachers)
Time commitment
30 minute or 1 hour lessons
An intro video from one of Italki's Greek teachers.
Summary:
Italki is an online market place that connects language learners with language teachers for one-on-one language classes via video or audio chat.
You can connect with language speakers from around the world and practice your speaking skills.
*with a purchase of $20 or more. After your first purchased lesson a credit of $10 will be added to your account
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.
