Hi folks
Here's my first post and, having browsed plenty, I can only hope you'll be kind to me and give me at least one sane answer!!!
OK, I've lived live on lurvely Lefkada since 2003 and would like to take an intermediate and advanced Greek courses by distance learning. I found one site called greekinstitute.co.uk and it seemed OK but quite sparse, if that makes sense. Not much about the courses compared to the info you get on some TESOL websites so it didn't fill me with confidence.
So wonder if anyone has used them and/or can recommend them or anyone else for distance learning please?

PS I know I can learn in the local schools for free, have done the beginners and tons of work on my own with CDs and books. But would prefer distance learning for the next stage, more one-to-one with a tutor that way!
Cheers
seal

Have a poke around on this site. There are all sorts of links that lead to other links which could be helpful. They are also quite helpful if you contact them. I have bought their Greeklish to Greek translator which I have used a few times.
http://www.ilsp.gr/services_eng.html

Dr Tofallis's textbooks are deadly!!!

So make sure you see some course materials before you commit yourself to anything or you might die of boredom in the process.

Seal, gosh is it really you, are you down on your luck , has it come to selling dodgy CDs from a carrier bag on Nidri High Street ?



Next time we see you I hope you wont mind giving us your autograph my wife loved your work particularly when you teamed with Joni Mitchell for a duet in the song "If I Could."

Oh good luck with learning the Greek, never bothered myself, I mean the blighters know what you are on about and if they don’t I just shout at em , usually works.

Thanks very much all for the replies, will try the website. Who is Dr Tofallis by the way? Do I take it it's his textbooks you have to buy for such courses? Ta for the warning if so!

Great shot of Seal but no, sadly that's not me, I'm 'seal' without the capital letter, short for the name of our old boat 'Golden Seal'. Just got tired of thinking up new names. Female too - I don't think you could apply that to him eh wot!

Cheers folks
seal

I looked at the website you gave and on the home page it says:
The Greek Institute was founded in London in 1969 by Dr Kypros Tofallis and a number of teachers and lecturers of Modern Greek.

Kirie T's book (Not a distance learning course):
A textbook of modern Greek
ISBN0905313259
Published by the Greek Institure (cost £17.50) last year. For begginners up to GCSE level.

Recommended also but all in Greek (so not for begginners really!):
Επικοινωωηστε Ελληωικα
1 (text book) and 1α (workbook)
ISBN 9789608464087 & 9789608464117
Deltos Publishing

Forget cost but about £30.00 overall I think.

Greek prices might be a bit better?

enjoy!

Thanks for the replies again guys, sorry I didn't get the quip!! Didn't notice that on the website, it's a senior moment thing.

cheers
seal

I'm kinda late getting to this one. This may be too simple for you but it may be of interest to others.

The Beeb has a self-study Greek language course available on book and cd. Follow this link: http://www.bbcshop.com/Languages/Greek-Language-and-People-Course-Book-new-edition/invt/9780563519768
You have to buy the book and the cds separate, about £25 for both.

I've been using them and I think they're fairly good, they teach you to read (and write presumably) as well as speak. But I am a beginner so...

Alternatively Seal...... you could just begin meeting up with Nimbus who is local to your parish on Levkada and start getting Greek lessons from him! He'll have you effluent in Greek in no time at all......

Hey everyone
MANY thanks again for all the replies, late or whatever!

I do have Greek teacher pals who can teach me but at 15-20 euros an hour, (which I know is very cheap), I still just can't afford it.

BUT I've found a very good substitute which others might like to know about... edexcel.com offer UK courses only but you can download tests and vocab etc that are needed to pass the GCSE exam. I've got pdf and mp3 files plus loads of pages of vocab etc and can actually 'teach myself' using these tests etc.and eventually take the exam through Edexcel.

I would say that this is not for beginners, I can already read, write and speak a fair bit so I found the stuff to be excellent. Once I feel confident I can just have a few formal lessons to 'polish' my act then have a go at some of the past exam papers before trying for the GCSE.

Anyway, that's me sorted I hope - anyone wanting to know more do ask.

Take care folks
seal