[B-Greek] Needing some advise

Bob Schut rschut at sbcglobal.net
Sat Nov 14 19:15:21 EST 2009


Greetings John and welcome to the group.

May I suggest that you check out the critiques on Amazon.com for each book 
in question.  Those of us who are self-taught discover quickly our own 
strengths and weaknesses in learning.  That is also true of the books that 
we use as we grow in Greek.  Each book mentioned has its own application and 
its own audience.

I like to use workbooks that give me practice along with the lesson.  This 
helps me to reinforce what the author has just written.  Having loose papers 
or a separate notebook is always a pain for me.

With that in mind, I found that the "Summer Greek Reader" expanded my 
vocabulary and served as a bridge between the vocabularies of beginning 
Greek and intermediate Greek.  This was in fact the author's main purpose. 
So if you need practice in vocabulary, this is a good place to start.  It 
was also helpful in giving me practice in translating at a more fluid level. 
Besides the vocabulary, parsing exercises, and translating there was little, 
if any, grammar at the intermediate level introduced.  But I have to admit 
that it did help to increase my confidence as well by provide practice at 
what I had already learned.   It is laid out in a lesson format based upon a 
12-week course and includes answers in the back of the book (a must for self 
study).

"A Workbook for New Testament Syntax" can also be helpful because it 
definitely takes you into the intermediate level.  It is a companion to GGBB 
(Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics).  Both books are written by Wallace and 
are a standard at the intermediate level.  New vocabulary is introduced 
along with the grammar and exercises in translation using the skills just 
taught.  The problem is "Where are the answers?"  This is a serious problem 
for self-learners.  The translations are taken from scripture so there's no 
problem there, but he asks some great questions that are very challenging. 
Without the answers I don't know if I answered them correct or not.  So 
although the book is excellent for instructor-lead classes, it is difficult 
for self-learners to take advantage of the book's real potential.

"A Graded Reader of Biblical Greek" is a good choice because it too is a 
companion to GGBB.  Mounce even includes an abbreviated version of the GGBB 
to get you started.  This can save you a little money if that's a problem; 
although you will eventually need the full version.

This is laid out like a workbook ought to be laid out.  It provides 
different levels of entry for those who need a little more time to progress 
as well as optional parts for those who feel they are up to the challenge. 
The only thing I can criticize is that it is more inductive in that you 
learn through translating.  He does, however, provide excellent 
explanations/answers at the bottom of each page for each exercise.

" New Testament Greek Intermediate" by Gerald Stevens is also an excellent 
book for self-learners.  It provides great exercises at the intermediate 
level.  It is more deductive in that it has specific questions directed at 
the grammar just covered.  It also has translation exercises to reinforce 
the chapter lesson.  He meets the self-learner halfway but providing answers 
for the even-numbered questions.  At least this will give you a good idea on 
how you're doing.

I hope this helps in your search for the ultimate intermediate Greek 
textbook for self-learners.  They are all good in their own way.  Matching 
the learner to the book is the real trick.

God Bless

Bob Schut

rschut at sbcglobal.net

Sacramento, CA



----- Original Message ----- 
From: <jsbach85 at optonline.net>
To: "Greek, B" <b-greek at lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2009 11:02 AM
Subject: [B-Greek] Needing some advise


> Hi
>
> I am a new member. The issue that has been haunting me over the last 
> several weeks is the direction that my study of Koine will take one I 
> complete the study program that I've been engaged in for the last two 
> years. I have been using Christine Gatchell's Elementary Greek: Koine for 
> Beginners since December of 2007. Her instruction is broken down into 
> three one year workbooks and texts with each one having lesson plans for 
> 30 weeks. The program is designed for home schooling grade school children 
> in Koine but it is used by many auto didactic adults such as myself with 
> limited time. Each daily lesson takes roughly 15-20 minutes. Well I am now 
> on week 22 of the final 30 week course and have made decent progress. I am 
> now looking for an intermediate course of study along the same lines as 
> the Gatchell program to further my study. Something preferable that is 
> broken down into manageable daily lesson plans that would take less than 
> 30 minutes a day. I am thinking of purchasing the
> following books: It's Still Greek to Me by David Alan Black and A Summer 
> Greek Reader by Richard Goodrich and David Diewert. If there is anyone out 
> there who is familiar with Christine Gatchell's course and knows of a good 
> follow up program to use once Gatchell's course is complete? I have been 
> studying Koine for two years and plan on studying it for the rest of my 
> life.
>
> Thank you,
>
> John Abbatemarco
> ---
> B-Greek home page: http://www.ibiblio.org/bgreek
> B-Greek mailing list
> B-Greek at lists.ibiblio.org
> http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/b-greek 




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