Now Why Didn't I Think of That?

When I was John Byron's grad assistant for Greek one of the questions I was asked by fearful, overwhelmed students was "What is the best way to learn?" Even though that seems like a simple question, it is not. As all of us who have taught have come to understand everyone learns differently and at different speeds. My usual answer was "Use all of your senses." In other words, learn by reading, writing, and listening. Mnemonic devices don't hurt either. In fact, the textbook John requires all of his Greek students to use was Lyle Story's Greek to Me. Many students think it is silly when they are introduced to Amy A. Esty (i.e. eimi, ei, esti) and the various cartoons and mnemonic tools. If one can past the "corniness" of this approach, it will ultimately prove viable in their learning aquistion and take the edge off of learning their paradigms.

As far as listening goes, I find that Zondervan is on the cutting edge in learning the biblical languages. Jonathan T. Pennington, assistant professor of New Testament Interpretation at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary has recorded several Greek and Hebrew audio cd's that I have recommended to students. Now Zondervan is at it again! Kenneth Berding associate professor of New Testament at Biola University will be releasing Sing and Learn New Testament Greek:The Easiest Way to Learn Greek Grammar in May 2008. Here is the blurb:

Sing and Learn New Testament Greek provides a way for learning (and remembering!) New Testament Greek grammar forms through simple songs. It includes a CD (containing eleven songs and a PowerPoint with paradigm charts for classroom use) and a booklet with the same paradigm charts for students’ personal use.Description: A new addition to the Zondervan line of biblical Greek resources. This resource includes everything a professor or a student will need: a CD (containing eleven songs and a PowerPoint with paradigm charts for classroom use) and a booklet with the same paradigm charts for students’ personal use. Sing and Learn New Testament Greek provides a way for learning (and remembering!) New Testament Greek grammar forms through simple songs. It is not designed to compete with existing Greek grammar books, but to serve as a required supplemental resource for elementary Greek classes. Indeed, it has been designed to be used alongside of any introductory grammar. A professor can simply assign to his or her students any (or some) of the songs for the paradigms a particular elementary grammar employs. In this way, students will actually remember what they have learned. (As we are all aware, people do not easily forget something learned via song.) The entire project includes songs for indicative verb endings, participles, infinitives, imperatives, contract forms, and prepositions, among others. All but the last song can be sung in 15 seconds or less. Parsing is enormously easier through this method. And it is a lot more fun than traditional methods. (Are we allowed to even use the word “fun” in reference to elementary Greek? Absolutely!) Beginning Greek students can listen to the CD as they drive to and from school or work, or put it on their iPod. These songs are so simple that students who have used them complain about waking up in the middle of the night with the songs running through their heads. You’ll never hear that complaint from students who have had to use rote memory to learn grammar forms.

This is a method I used myself when learning both Greek and Hebrew. The songs only made sense to me, but it worked. If I only contacted Zondervan before Mr. Berding!