[B-Greek] How to Progress from First-Year Grammar to Reading?

Jarrett Cohen jarrett_cohen at yahoo.com
Sun Feb 22 16:26:01 EST 2009


 Greetings,

I am a new member of B-Greek and am writing to seek advice on how to progress from studying “first-year” grammar to reading the New Testament, and perhaps the Church Fathers, in Greek. 

My
background: I just finished working through Clayton Croy’s “A Primer of
Biblical Greek” (just over half in an online class, the rest on my
own). At this point, I’m studying independently but may have a study
partner/mentor in the summer.

It would be great to get feedback on two options I’m considering.

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Option #1: Work Through One or More Biblical/Koine Greek Readers 

Several Greek readers are listed at:
http://www.archaicchristianity.com/Blog/Archives/2008/4/28/Greek_AndAFewLatin_Readers_AGallery.aspx

The reader I’m most attracted to is:
Rodney Decker’s “Koine Greek Reader” 
It ties into intermediate grammars (e.g., Black, Wallace) and explains how to use the BDAG lexicon. 

Another reader of possible interest is:
S.M. Baugh’s “A First John Reader: Intermediate Greek Reading Notes and Grammar”

Questions
1. Is working through a Greek reader a good next step after learning grammar basics?
2. Do readers work well for independent learners?
3. Which reader(s) do list members recommend? I would particularly value input from those who have studied with one.
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Option #2: Use Multiple Approaches to Language Learning

An intriguing (although intimidating) learning program is suggested by Greg Kane at:
http://www.pocm.info/good_books_read_greek.htm

Kane advocates three passes through Greek using multiple approaches to language learning, summarized below.

Step 1: Learn by doing introduction. 

Study John Dobson’s “Learn New Testament Greek” (inductive text).

Do Chapters 1 to 19.

Step 2: Memorize the forms. 

Study William Mounce’s “Basics of Biblical Greek Grammar” (deductive text).

Step 3: Fill in the gap. 
3a: Practice with many Greek sentences.

Complete Dobson’s “Learn New Testament Greek.”
3b: Read simple Greek stories.
Study JACT “Reading Greek” or “Athenaze” (graded reading text).

Notes and Questions
1.
I happen to have followed a similar path to Kane’s Steps 1 and 2:
trying to learn with Dobson but giving up around Chapter 21, and then
finding the online class and working through Croy’s deductive grammar.
2.
Has anyone on the list tried this approach or something similar? Did
you find it a good sequence to follow, or was it too time-consuming
and/or tedious to sustain?
3. Would pieces of Step 3 be worthwhile
to get practice in reading longer passages? For example, the 2008
edition of “Reading Greek” looks outstanding in previews (check Google
Books), but might I get confused by the differences in Classical Greek?
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Well, I hope that I haven’t prattled on for too long and that starting this discussion will be helpful to others on the list.

Thanks in advance for the advice on the options and any other ideas you might have!

All the best,

Jarrett


      



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