You have successfully completed the A1 level of Greek. And you may have already progressed to an intermediate level.
You’ve struggled with Nominative and Accusative, Plural and Adjectives but… you made it!
And these verbs that change from the Present to Future and Past, you now feel more or less confident on how to use them.
But now what else can you do?
Especially when you are not here in Greece, to practice what you’ve learnt out there.
Learning a new language can be a challenging and rewarding endeavor. It opens doors to new cultures, enhances communication skills, and boosts cognitive abilities. While traditional language learning methods like textbooks and language courses are effective, there’s another tool that can significantly accelerate your progress: journaling.
In this blog post, we’ll explore together:
– why journaling is a valuable and highly effective tool for language learners
– a journaling example by our student Ilina
Why is journaling so useful for language learners?
1. Enhances vocabulary and grammar
Journaling serves as your secret weapon in language learning. When you put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) in your target language, you’re not just writing; you’re actively recalling and reinforcing vocabulary. The result? Better retention and a more extensive lexicon. Plus, as you craft sentences and paragraphs, you’re naturally refining your grammar skills, gaining a deeper grasp of sentence structure and word order.
2. Builds confidence in expression
Speaking and writing can be a daunting task for language learners, often due to the fear of making mistakes. But journaling comes to the rescue! Within the comforting pages of your journal, you have all the time in the world to think, edit, and correct your work. No real-time conversation pressure here. This practice boosts your confidence and fluency in both speaking and writing, making you more at ease with the Greek language.
3. Provides a personal learning experience
How many times have you been asked to express how you feel and what you think about a text or a video in Greek? Let me guess…almost none. But at the end of the day the ability to express what is happening within your mind and heart is something that matters a lot in your daily conversations and interactions with Greeks. Journaling is a highly personal activity, allowing you to express your thoughts, emotions, and experiences in your own words. This personal connection to the language can make it more enjoyable and memorable. You can document your language journey, share your aspirations, and reflect on your progress, creating a meaningful connection to your learning process.
4. Builds confidence in expression
Last but not least, adaptability is one of the fantastic aspects of journaling. It’s a versatile tool that you can shape to align not only with your specific language goals but also with your personal preferences. Instead of laboring over a dull, formal essay on a topic that you’d never discuss in real life, why not use your journal to express your thoughts, feelings, ideas, and the world within you? Or perhaps, you’re eager to practice conversational phrases within a realistic dialogue that you’ve crafted. Your journal can be seamlessly tailored to cater to your individual needs and passions. If you never discuss in Greek in real life, why not use your journal to express your thoughts, feelings, ideas, and the world within you? Or perhaps, you’re eager to practice conversational phrases within a realistic dialogue that you’ve crafted. Your journal can be seamlessly tailored to cater to your individual needs and passions.
Ilina's little journal
Ilina started learning Greek from scratch almost a year ago. She recently moved to Athens, and initially, her goal was to learn Greek to enhance her experience here in Athens.
When we reached Unit 8 of our book and started discussing our routines, there were many new and useful verbs to learn. A few units later, when we began working on the Simple Future, she needed an engaging way to practice the verbs. So… there was only one solution: starting a new journal!
She graciously shared a few pages from her journal with me, and I wanted to show you how short, sweet and simple she kept it considering her language level.
Does she use Google Translate?
Rarely. She only uses it when necessary or when she feels the need to build her own vocabulary list on a topic that matters to her.
Is she always consistent?
She doesn’t always write daily. Sometimes she writes three times a week and others twice. But she keeps doing it!
Questions? Thoughts? Leave us a comment in the section below! If you found this post helpful, consider sharing it with fellow Greek language enthusiasts! 
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