Hellas Alive

Check your Greek

Dimitris Tolias — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:53:50 GMT

Drawing on its experience and expertise in teaching and testing Modern Greek, the Hellenic American Union has created a simple test that measures your level of Greek. Just click on the right answer!

The online placement test is now available!

A Mini Tutorial. Learn how to use it.

Dimitris Tolias — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:53:50 GMT

A few words

The purpose of this mini tutorial is to help you take full advantage of the unique educational features of Hellas Alive! and learn the Greek language and culture.

Each level of Hellas Alive is divided in 15 units, each consisting of 4 lessons. Each lesson contains various exercises and activities that appear on your screen in a particular order (the same for all lessons).

Hellas Alive! consists of two major components: The Virtual City and the Virtual School.

The Virtual City helps you to familiarize yourself with the physical environment of a contemporary Greek city. This virtual environment is also an indirect way to learn vocabulary; you can read the name of each image in the City and, by clicking on the word, you can also hear it. This virtual world also allows you to access a number of virtual ‘playspaces’ (interactive games) which help you to understand better Greek culture.

The Virtual School uses a wide variety of tools to teach Greek (as a foreign language), under conditions that are highly similar to those that you would find if you were in Greece, with a lot of communication and real-life situations.

Important!!
The Hellas Alive Educational Team URGES you to strictly follow the methodology presented in this tutorial in order to learn faster and better, and become a competent user of the Greek language.

Tip!! Do all lessons in the order they appear!

Every time you enter a particular lesson, you always see the same work screen of the Virtual School which is divided into 5 areas (blue color) and 2 horizontal toolbars (orange color).

Virtual School work screen

Upper toolbar (orange color)

It contains various icons leading to:

1. Virtual School – If you are in the Virtual City environment, click on this to return to the Virtual School work screen of your lesson.

2. Virtual City – If you are in the Virtual School, click on this to enter the Virtual City. Your tutor may ask you to ‘meet’ at the Virtual City, with a message that you see in the ‘Announcements’ screen (immediately after you log in), and in the ‘Course Announcements’ and ‘Contact Tutor Messages’ sections of the lesson Playlist (in the Virtual School work screen). Using the Chat function, you may also arrange to ‘meet’ at the Virtual City with other students of the same level.

3. Reference – Every time you want to view a list with all the vocabulary items (blue-color hyperlinks) and grammar items (orange-color hyperlinks), click on this to enter the vocabulary and language index. You can visit the index in case you do not know the meaning of a word or you have difficulties in grammar and the item is not hyperlinked in the Virtual School work screen you are in.
Virtual School and the Virtual City environments.

4. Contact Tutor – Click on this if you want to send a text message to your tutor. Keep in mind that this function is not for chatting; therefore, do not expect your tutor to read your message and reply immediately. You will find your tutor’s in the ‘Announcements’ screen (immediately after you log in), and in the ‘Course Announcements’ and ‘Contact Tutor Messages’ sections of the lesson Playlist (in the Virtual School work screen).
This button is active only in the Virtual School environment.

5. Chat – Click on this to chat on-line with other users of the same level. Your tutor may ask you to ‘meet’ in one of the Chat rooms, with a message that you see in the ‘Announcements’ screen (immediately after you log in) and in the ‘Course Announcements” section of the lesson Playlist (in the Virtual School work screen). If you want, you may also ask your tutor to create a Chat room especially for you and the friends you have made through Hellas Alive.
This button is active in both the Virtual School and the Virtual City environments.

6. Submit – Click on this to submit your work to the tutor. This may be a short paragraph or even a short recording that you are asked to do in the Presentation, Practice or Exercises section of a lesson. You will find your tutor’s comments in a message that you see in the ‘Announcements’ screen (immediately after you log in), and in the ‘Course Announcements’ and ‘Contact Tutor Messages’ sections of the lesson Playlist (in the Virtual School work screen).
This button is active only in the Virtual School environment.

7. Volume – Click on this to control the volume. To adjust the volume, sometimes, you may also have to check the volume of your PC or laptop.
This button is active in both the Virtual School and the Virtual City environments.

8. Help – Click on this if you need help on how to do an exercise or on how specific areas function. You will be directed to site (separate browser window) where you will find clickable text and a series of videos with instructions to guide you through each stage and characteristic of Hellas Alive.
This button is active in both the Virtual School and the Virtual City environments.

9. Lesson Menu – Click on this if you are in the Virtual School work screen of a lesson and you want to switch to another lesson of the same unit.

10. Quit – Click on this to exit Hellas Alive.

Lower Toolbar (orange color)

On the left, you see the unit and the lesson you are in.
Delete – The exercises or activities you delete are dropped off here.
Previous – Next Click on this.

The buttons allow you to proceed to the next/previous exercise or activity based on the category you have selected each time.

Left Area (Playlist)

Here you may see the Playlist with all the exercises and activities of each lesson. The list and the order of contents are the same for all lessons. The four main categories of the Playlist are always the following: Introduction – Presentation – Practice – Exercises.

It is better to choose each category as it appears on the list and do the exercises and activities in their order of appearance. Examples of various exercises and activities:

Δες το βίντεο (Watch the video)
Δες, άκουσε, μίλησε (Watch, listen and record)
Άκουσε και γράψε (Listen and write)
Διάλεξε τη σωστή απάντηση (Choose the right answer)
Άκουσε, μίλησε και στείλε στον καθηγητή (Listen, record and send to tutor)
Διάβασε και συμπλήρωσε (Read and fill in the blanks)

There are 18 different types of exercises to choose from.

The Playlist contains all the necessary components that you need to go through while navigating in a lesson. These components are exactly the same for all lessons. Following is a brief description of how these components should be used during the lesson:

Course Announcements – Every time you enter a lesson, you may find announcements related to your course of study.
Introduction – Before you begin each lesson, watch the video you will find here. The video introduces you to the contents of each lesson. You may play the video as many times as you wish before you proceed with the ‘Presentation’ phase of the lesson.
Presentation – This stage of the lesson allows you to get introduced to the language content of the lesson, since you can watch a video or videos, and, at the same time, read the transcript on your Workbook [see description of Workbook further below]. You may also be prompted to do a number of repetitive activities that will help you further understand the content of the lesson. For instance, you may be asked to watch the video, to listen to the dialogue, and then to record your own voice while reading the text aloud. You may do each activity as many times as you wish. For some activities, when your answer is correct, the check symbol appears next to the activity. If the answer is wrong, the X symbol appears next to the activity. Sometimes, instead of a video, there may be an image for you to see.
Practice – In this stage of the lesson, you have the opportunity for extra practice in the language that was introduced in Presentation. Different types of activities prompt you to choose the correct answer, to listen and match, to listen and write, etc. You may do each activity as many times as you wish. For some activities, when your answer is correct, the check symbol appears next to the activity. If the answer is wrong, the X symbol appears next to the activity.
Exercises – This is the final stage of each lesson. At this stage, you have the opportunity to perform a variety of exercises that practice reading, listening, speaking, and writing. You may do each activity as many times as you wish. For some activities, when your answer is correct, the check symbol appears next to the activity. If the answer is wrong, the X symbol appears next to the activity.
Contact Tutor Messages – Every time you enter a lesson, you may read here the messages sent to you by your tutor.

Tip!! Remember the correct order: Introduction – Presentation – Practice – Exercises!

Tip!! Do all exercises and activities in the order they appear!

Upper Center Area (Instructions)

In this area, you are given instructions in English on what to do with the specific exercise or activity you have chosen. For the first two levels, the name of each exercise or activity is given both in English and in Greek.

Tip!! Soon you will understand that you do not need the instructions in English, since the exercises or activities are standard for all levels.

Lower Center Area – (Video/Image)

In this area, you may watch a video or videos or see an image for each lesson. You are given the option to play the video as many times as you want, in order to better understand the lesson’s content. You also have the option to pause and play it again.

Upper Right Area – (Workbook)

In this area, you have at your disposal your electronic Workbook. In the Workbook, you can read the transcripts of all the videos and do each lesson’s exercises and activities. All words or phrases in the transcripts which are highlighted in blue, are clickable vocabulary entries. In other words, they are unknown or they are what you are supposed to learn from each lesson. By clicking on them, you are taken to the vocabulary support area, which opens in a separate browser window. [See description below of vocabulary support area.] Items which are highlighted in orange are grammar and syntax entries. In other words, they are unknown or they are what you are supposed to learn from each lesson. By clicking on them, you are taken to the language support area, which opens in a separate browser window. [See description below of language support area.]

Lower Right Area - (Reference Links)

In this area, you can access a wide corpus of language theory. In most lessons, you will find here grammar and syntax entries (orange color) but, sometimes, you may also find here vocabulary entries (blue color).

Tip!! Click on the highlighted words to learn more!

The vocabulary support area

On the left area, there is a brief explanation of the word or phrase, clues about its everyday use as well as related cultural information, in both Greek and English. You may also hear the word or phrase when you click on it.
In the upper center area, the word or phrase appears – as you have seen it in the Workbook – along with its English translation. In the lower center area, there may be links to relevant vocabulary entries (in orange color) and/or grammar and syntax entries (in blue color). Further below, you may watch a video or see an image as many times as you want; there, the word or phrase is used in order to help you better understand its meaning. On the right area, there is an example of the word or phrase in use, along with its English translation.
When you have fully understood what is presented here, you may close the window and return to the lesson.

Tip!! Click on the blue highlighted word or phrase to listen to it!

The language support area

On the left area, the theory is presented in both Greek and English, in simple words.
In the upper center area, the title of theory appears – as you have seen it in the Workbook – along with its English translation. In the lower center are, there may be links to relevant vocabulary entries (in orange color) and/or grammar and syntax entries (in blue color). Further below, you may watch – as many times as you want – the corresponding video in which in which you were initially introduced the grammar you are now practicing. Instead of a video, sometimes, you may see an image there.
On the right part, there are examples in Greek.
When you have fully understood what is presented here, you may close the window and return to the lesson.

Tip!! When you have understood a grammar and syntax entry, you may close the window and return to the workspace.

Interactive 3D Virtual City – Gate to cultural playspaces

This is the Hellas Alive “virtual city” (3D world). The navigation buttons enable you to walk through and get the ‘feeling” of a contemporary Greek city. During your walk, you encounter various hotspots, where you can hear (in Greek) and read (in Greek and in English) the Greek words/texts for what you are seeing.
If you want to explore Greek or Greek- American culture and communicate with other learners, you may also enter the playspaces, entrances to which are scattered throughout the city. (Can you find them?)

Hellas Alive© Tutorial

Dimitris Tolias — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:53:00 GMT

Hellas Alive© Tutorial

Experience Hellas Alive© Virtual School

Dimitris Tolias — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:53:00 GMT

If you are ready for a real Greek language and culture experience, use the following links to register for Hellas Alive©, see live demos of it, and learn how to use it.

If you simply want to learn well how to pronounce and type Greek sounds and letters, you can take a free lesson.

Maybe you're not sure about your level of Greek? Then you can also take a free placement test and see how much you know.

Contact us

Effie Vlaxou — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 13:18:26 GMT

36 Salmon St., Manchester, NH03104, USA
Tel: 603 606 7864
E-mail: info@hellasalive.gr

Promote your Community

Hellenic - American Communities

Dimitris Tolias — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 09:24:54 GMT

Astoria, Atlanta, San Francisco, Charlotte, Tampa, Chicago, Boston …

From one end of the USA to the other, in small or large groups, generations of Greek-Americans live and prosper within and outside of their Hellenic - American communities.

These Hellenes forge strong bonds through family relations and common place of origin, become one another's koumbari , meet in church, and organize social gatherings, fully integrated with the broader American society but at the same time dedicated to keeping their Hellenic origins alive.

Sometimes, one community is fortunate enough to find out about another's existence and activities, and the bonds between them become even stronger. In most cases, though, due to distance and the difficulty in disseminating information, it is hard for one community to “meet” and learn about another.

The following pages aim to bring all Hellenic - American communities together in a virtual forum.

There, each community can have a link to its own web site to present itself to the other communities and access a calendar of events, so that all Greek-Americans can see who does what, and when. Also, very soon, each community can have its own virtual area in the portal, where visitors will be able to see and read about its activities in an interactive and unique manner. This will be very easy to do; communities will have the ability to send us texts, videos, photographs and we will create a whole playspace, especially for them.

With these ways, the Hellas Alive portal is THE meeting place of the Omogenia, beyond distances and communication problems.

Content

Effie Vlaxou — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 14:01:11 GMT

A brief description

The podcasts present the activities in the lives of a group of young people - a parea, as they’re called in Greek. These friends live in Athens and go out for a cup of Greek coffee or for a meal in a taverna, go to the shops, to the cinema or the theater, stay home and watch TV or talk on the phone, and, in general, do everything that Greeks do every day. But it’s not just them that you will meet: Listen for the voice of Xenophon, a funny character, who follows them around, makes comments on what they say or do and helps you to understand better their actions.

The organization of the material is more or less the same for each podcast: First, you hear twice a dialogue or individual phrases. Then, you are asked to repeat parts of what you have heard. For further practice, you may be asked to choose the right answer to a question relating to the material presented (don’t worry; the correct answer is always given). Last, you are provided with cultural or communication tips that help you to understand better contemporary Greek reality.

Coming soon: If you want to check what you have learned, soon you will be able to take a very short, on-line quiz on the content of every five podcasts!

Meet the Podcasting parea

Xenophon

He’s the mystery but catalytic character of the series. Even though he’s not a member of the parea, he’s always with them to comment on their actions. Listen for him, during or after what the other characters say; apart from his funny remarks, he will guide you through each lesson, give you tips on Greek behavior and might even help you with answers to questions on what you hear.

In Greek, his name (Ξενοφών) derives from ancient Greek and means "foreign voice”.

His origins as well as place of residence are unknown.

Dimitris

He’s a university student and comes from Thessaloniki, in N. Greece. He lives in a small house outside the center of Athens, near the University. In Greek, his name (Δημήτρης) derives from Dimitra, the ancient Greek goddess of agriculture, and means “he who comes from the earth”.

Maria

She works as a shop assistant in a clothes store and comes from Iraklion, a city in the island of Crete. She lives in the area of Dafni, close to the center of Athens.

Her Greek name (Μαρία) came into the Greek language with the spread of the New Testament.

Yiorgos

He works in a travel agency and comes from Athens. He lives downtown. In Greek, his name (Γιώργος) derives from ancient Greek and means “the one who works the land”.

Eleni

She’s a nurse in a big hospital and lives in downtown Athens. In Greek, her name (Ελένη) derives from Eleni, the ancient Greek goddess of vegetation and fertility. Another Eleni was the daughter of Zeus and Leda, famous for her beauty; her abduction by Paris was the cause for the Trojan War.

Get Started in Learning Greek

Dimitris Tolias — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 12:51:40 GMT

More like playing a game than having a lesson, the Pre-Lesson is an easy way to learn the basics of the Greek language. Here, you learn the Greek alphabet and become familiar with the Greek keyboard. You learn and practise how to recognize the sounds of the Greek alphabet when you hear them, how to pronounce them, and how to type them. You also learn and practise how Greek letters are combined in syllables and words.

For more information check Hellas Alive Support
Download to learn and practise [ file size : 57.5 MB, zip ]

The Hellenic American Union

Dimitris Tolias — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 09:21:59 GMT

The Hellenic American Union is a not-for-profit public-service organization with an international focus and strong community commitment, dedicated to providing opportunities for a diverse range of audiences to encounter and benefit from innovative educational programs and cultural events.

It was founded in 1957. Among its founding members were some of the most prominent figures in Greek society and the American community in Greece as well as other Americans abroad. At the time of its founding, the institution was strongly affiliated with the American Embassy in Athens , with which it participated closely in educational and cultural programs, and, thus, the original focus of the institution's programs was on showcasing American innovations in education, technology and the Arts. The institution continued to cooperate closely with the American Embassy, and accommodated the American library and the Embassy's Information Center , while at the same time broadening its mission to include activities and events treating aspects of Greek culture and later on, cooperative programs with organizations in Europe, Latin America and North Africa . In pursuing its mission, the Hellenic American Union has forged educational and cultural partnerships with a large number of American and European universities, cultural organizations, foundations, and other non-profit associations.

The programs and learning resources of the institution together form an expansive arc of true life-long learning. Our basic skills courses in English language training (as well as Greek for foreigners) provide students with one of the fundamental pre-requisites for most jobs, as do our introductory courses for basic computing skills.

A second-tier of courses lead to recognized certificates, diplomas or degrees in a number of more specialized areas such as Translation, Teaching English as a Foreign Language, networking, Business and Public Relations.

A third-tier provides advanced specialized training to current professionals in fields ranging from information technology, finance, auditing, arts management, as a form of continuing education.

This triptych of basic, vocational and professional education is complemented by a series of examinations administered by the Hellenic American Union and others administered by external examination and certification bodies to provide candidates with market-relevant certification of language and IT skills.

Integral to all these programs is the array of services offered to students, such as cultural events, career counseling, the Writing Center, the library and the Information Center for International Students.

When viewed together, the services and programs delivered by the Hellenic American Union reach a significant audience. Almost 90,000 individuals attended cultural events, studied at the HAU or benefited from our services in the year 2004 alone. Admittedly, some of these people may have spent only an hour or two with us, at an exhibition or concert, but others were enrolled in programs lasting hundreds of hours, such as Translation and Cisco Networking Academy. We can roughly estimate that our public spent over 650,000 person-hours in the Hellenic American Union programs.

This large, diverse audience is growing. Registration in courses as the Hellenic American Union has increased in practically all programs .

This audience is largely but not wholly in the greater metropolitan Athens area, which has 4,5 million citizens. Teacher Education courses are offered as well in our facilities in Thessaloniki, along with the standard range of examination services offered in Athens. Teacher training and testing services are provided in FYROM, Romania and Bulgaria. Local academies administered through the Hellenic American Union Cisco Regional Academy currently operate both in Athens and in other parts of Greece. Finally, the Hellenic American Union organizes testing centers in over sixty towns and cities throughout Greece.

Podcast Learning

Dimitris Tolias — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:41:00 GMT

Learn Greek your way! Fast and easy through podcasting

Now, the Hellenic American Union is offering free Modern Greek lessons in the form of podcasts. In total, 80 podcasts are available and you are able to download them to your iPod or any other mp3 player you are using.

General information

What is podcasting?

It is a way to transmit, download, store and retrieve audio material. Podcasts are delivered through the internet; in order to download and reproduce podcasts, you need an iPod or any mp3 player.

What is the procedure?

By following the instructions located further down on this page, you will be able to download the Modern Greek lessons, store them in your iPod, and choose when and where you listen to them.

To make learning Greek easier, you can also view and download the full transcript of each lesson (in .pdf form); transcripts are enhanced with images to help you understand better what you hear. If you wish, you can also play the audio file.

Once you have downloaded and stored the lessons, you will be able to listen to them as many times as you wish, pause at any point you want, and pick up again from the same point.

Who are the podcasts for?

The podcasts are for everyone, regardless of age, whose mother language is not Greek, and who wants to improve their Greek in an original manner, whenever they like.

What is the necessary equipment?

All you need is a music player (an iPod or any mp3 player). You also need to install the specific software. Further down on this page, you can find more information on the software and its use.

How much does it cost?

All podcasts are offered at no charge.

What you will hear

Each of the 80 podcasts is a mini lesson that aims at teaching you how to communicate effectively in Modern Greek. No grammar, no rules, no “do’s” and “don’ts”; just basic dialogues, short phrases, and words that you, too, will be able to use in a variety of everyday situations.

Content: A brief description - Meet the Podcasting characters

Instructions: How to download the podcasts using Podcatchers

If you are not familiar with podcasting, you can follow our simple instructions for Juice, Doppler, and iTunes provided below. Click on the instructions for the software you would like to utilize:

Lessons

Full transcript (in .pdf form) and audio file (in .mp3 form) of all podcasts can be accessed below.

Copy the link to subscribe: http://www.hau.gr/hau/podcasting/LiveMGLessons/LearningGreekPodcasts.php

Lesson 18: At the super market/at the open-air market - Στο σούπερ μάρκετ/στη λαϊκή

Download the transcript: Lesson 18: At the super market/at the open-air market - Στο σούπερ μάρκετ/στη λαϊκή

Play now: Lesson 18: At the super market/at the open-air market - Στο σούπερ μάρκετ/στη λαϊκή

Lesson 19: At the travel office - Στο ταξιδιωτικό γραφείο

Download the transcript: Lesson 19: At the travel office - Στο ταξιδιωτικό γραφείο

Play now: Lesson 19: At the travel office - Στο ταξιδιωτικό γραφείο

Lesson 20: Faulty products - Ελαττωματικό προϊόν

Download the transcript: Lesson 20: Faulty products - Ελαττωματικό προϊόν

Play now: Lesson 20: Faulty products - Ελαττωματικό προϊόν

Lesson 21: Weather - Καιρός

Download the transcript: Lesson 21: Weather - Καιρός

Play now: Lesson 21: Weather - Καιρός

Lesson 22: Cinema tickets - Εισιτήρια για τον κινηματογράφο

Download the transcript: Lesson 22: Cinema tickets - Εισιτήρια για τον κινηματογράφο

Play now: Lesson 22: Cinema tickets - Εισιτήρια για τον κινηματογράφο

Lesson 23: Directions for use - Οδηγίες χρήσης

Download the transcript: Lesson 23: Directions for use - Οδηγίες χρήσης

Play now: Lesson 23: Directions for use - Οδηγίες χρήσης

Lesson 24: Moving house - Μετακόμιση

Download the transcript: Lesson 24: Moving house - Μετακόμιση

Play now: Lesson 24: Moving house - Μετακόμιση

Lesson 25: A new telephone number - Καινούργιος αριθμός τηλεφώνου

Download the transcript: Lesson 25: A new telephone number - Καινούργιος αριθμός τηλεφώνου

Play now: Lesson 25: A new telephone number - Καινούργιος αριθμός τηλεφώνου

Lesson 26: At the bookstore - Στο βιβλιοπωλείο

Download the transcript: Lesson 26: At the bookstore - Στο βιβλιοπωλείο

Play now: Lesson 26: At the bookstore - Στο βιβλιοπωλείο

Lesson 27: At the bar - Στο μπαρ

Download the transcript: Lesson 27: At the bar - Στο μπαρ

Play now: Lesson 27: At the bar - Στο μπαρ

Lesson 28: At the hotel - Στο ξενοδοχείο

Download the transcript: Lesson 28: At the hotel - Στο ξενοδοχείο

Play now: Lesson 28: At the hotel - Στο ξενοδοχείο

Lesson 29: At the doctor's - Στο γιατρό

Download the transcript: Lesson 29: At the doctor's - Στο γιατρό

Play now: Lesson 29: At the doctor's - Στο γιατρό

Lesson 30: At the bus stop - Στη στάση

Download the transcript: Lesson 30: At the bus stop - Στη στάση

Play now: Lesson 30: At the bus stop - Στη στάση

Lesson 31: Using the ATM - Χρησιμοποιώντας το ΑΤΜ

Download the transcript: Lesson 31: Using the ATM - Χρησιμοποιώντας το ΑΤΜ

Play now: Lesson 31: Using the ATM - Χρησιμοποιώντας το ΑΤΜ

Lesson 32: Homework - Διάβασμα

Download the transcript: Lesson 32: Homework - Διάβασμα

Play now: Lesson 32: Homework - Διάβασμα

Lesson 33: Dialing the wrong number - Λάθος αριθμός

Download the transcript: Lesson 33: Dialing the wrong number - Λάθος αριθμός

Play now: Lesson 33: Dialing the wrong number - Λάθος αριθμός

Lesson 34: At the super market/At the street market - Στο σούπερ μάρκετ/Στη λαϊκή

Download the transcript: Lesson 34: At the super market/At the street market - Στο σούπερ μάρκετ/Στη λαϊκή

Play now: Lesson 34: At the super market/At the street market - Στο σούπερ μάρκετ/Στη λαϊκή

Lesson 35: Preferences - Προτιμήσεις

Download the transcript: Lesson 35: Preferences - Προτιμήσεις

Play now: Lesson 35: Preferences - Προτιμήσεις

Lesson 36: At the hospital - Στο νοσοκομείο

Download the transcript: Lesson 36: At the hospital - Στο νοσοκομείο

Play now: Lesson 36: At the hospital - Στο νοσοκομείο

Lesson 37: Congratulations and sympathy - Συγχαρητήρια/Λύπη

Download the transcript: Lesson 37: Congratulations and sympathy - Συγχαρητήρια/Λύπη

Play now: Lesson 37: Congratulations and sympathy - Συγχαρητήρια/Λύπη

Lesson 38: At the Police Station - Στην Αστυνομία

Download the transcript: Lesson 38: At the Police Station - Στην Αστυνομία

Play now: Lesson 38: At the Police Station - Στην Αστυνομία

Lesson 39: At the hairdresser's - Στο κομμωτήριο

Download the transcript: Lesson 39: At the hairdresser's - Στο κομμωτήριο

Play now: Lesson 39: At the hairdresser's - Στο κομμωτήριο

Lesson 40: Family and feelings - Οικογένεια και συναισθήματα

Download the transcript: Lesson 40: Family and feeling - Οικογένεια και συναισθήματα

Play now: Lesson 40: Family and feelings - Οικογένεια και συναισθήματα

Lesson 41: Damages in the house/The plumber - Ζημιές στο σπίτι/Υδραυλικός

Download the transcript: Lesson 41: Damages in the house/The plumber - Ζημιές στο σπίτι/Υδραυλικός

Play now: Lesson 41: Damages in the house/The plumber - Ζημιές στο σπίτι/Υδραυλικός

Lesson 42: Pollution/Measures - Μόλυνση/Μέτρα

Download the transcript: Lesson 42: Pollution/Measures - Μόλυνση/Μέτρα

Play now: Lesson 42: Pollution/Measures - Μόλυνση/Μέτρα

Lesson 43: At the video store/Αt the record store - Στο βίντεοκλαμπ/Στο δισκάδικο

Download the transcript: Lesson 43: At the video store/At the record store - Στο βίντεοκλαμπ/Στο δισκάδικο

Play now: Lesson 43: At the video store/At the record store - Στο βίντεοκλαμπ/Στο δισκάδικο

Lesson 44: Apologies and excuses - Δικαιολογίες/Συγγνώμη

Download the transcript: Lesson 44: Apologies and excuses - Δικαιολογίες/Συγγνώμη

Play now: Lesson 44: Apologies and excuses - Δικαιολογίες/Συγγνώμη

Lesson 45: The Power Company bill - Λογαριασμός ΔΕΗ

Download the transcript: Lesson 45: The Power Company bill - Λογαριασμός ΔΕΗ

Play now: Lesson 45: The Power Company bill - Λογαριασμός ΔΕΗ

Lesson 46: Utilities/Flat owners' meeting - Κοινόχρηστα/Συνέλευση

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Lesson 47: A break in/The Police - Διάρρηξη/Αστυνομία

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Lesson 48: Theater tickets - Εισιτήρια θεάτρου

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Lesson 49: Arguing over a party - Καβγάς για πάρτι

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Lesson 50: At the cosmetics store/At the jeweller's - Στο κατάστημα καλλυντικών/Στο κοσμηματοπωλείο

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Lessοn 51: Road Assistance - Οδική Βοήθεια

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Lesson 52: Household chores - Δουλειές του σπιτιού

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Lesson 53: Invitation to a wedding - Πρόσκληση σε γάμο

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Lesson 54: Healthy living - Υγιεινή ζωή

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Lesson 55: Damages in the house/The electrician - Ζημιές/Ηλεκτρολόγος

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Lesson 56: Unemployment - Ανεργία

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Lesson 57: Superstitions - Προλήψεις

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Lesson 58: Preferences/Birthdays - Προτιμήσεις/Γενέθλια

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Lesson 59: Ecology/Recycling - Οικολογία/Ανακύκλωση

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Lesson 60: Feeling ill - Αδιαθεσία

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Lesson 61: At the dietician - Στο διαιτολόγο

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Lesson 62: Issuing a new passport - Έκδοση νέου διαβατηρίου

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Lesson 63: Star signs - Zώδια

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Lesson 64: Memories - Αναμνήσεις

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Lesson 65: Travel complaints - Παράπονα/Ταξίδι

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Lesson 66: Modern way of life - Σύγχρονος τρόπος ζωής

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Lesson 67: Famous Greeks - Διάσημοι Έλληνες

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Lesson 68: Alternative forms of energy - Εναλλακτικές μορφές ενέργειας

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Lesson 69: Greek shadow theater (Karagkiozis) - Καραγκιόζης

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Lesson 70: Preferences/Priorities - Προτιμήσεις/Προτεραιότητες

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Lesson 71: Sick leave - Άδεια λόγω ασθενείας

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Lesson 72: Quality of life - Ποιότητα ζωής

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Lesson 73: Arguing over grades/Profession - Καβγάς για βαθμούς/Επάγγελμα

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Lesson 74: What would I do if...? - Τί θα έκανα αν...;

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Lesson 75: More superstitions - Κι άλλες προλήψεις

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Lesson 76: Break-ins - Διαρρήξεις

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Lesson 77: More faulty products - Κι άλλα ελαττωματικά προϊόντα

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Lesson 78: Beware of the sun! - Προσοχή στον ήλιο!

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Lesson 79: Climate change - Αλλαγή κλίματος

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Lesson 80: At the Metro - Στο μετρό

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Ιf you have difficulties with podcast materials, please contact us at hellasalive@hau.gr

Structure

Dimitris Tolias — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 15:15:00 GMT

How is it organized?

Hellas Alive© has been designed to immerse learners in simulated environments which they manipulate to learn hands-on language skills. The on-line program now offers the first 600 hours of instruction, which amount to levels one, two and three.

Each level is organized into 15 different thematic units. Each unit, in turn, consists of 4 lessons.

Each unit consists of the following parts:

Introduction
Reading and listening texts accompanied by pictures and videos
Reading and listening activities and exercises accompanied by pictures and videos
Practice on speaking and writing
Presentation of grammar, syntax, and vocabulary
Grammar practice
Extra practice

Throughout all the language-learning material, learners also can use the 3D virtual city and the playspaces that acquaint them with the cultural achievements, history and society of Greece, past and present.

Description and Philosophy

Dimitris Tolias — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 14:58:00 GMT

If you have ever tried to learn Greek or simply improve your knowledge of the language, you know how hard it is to find the right teachers, tools and methods to suit your particular level and situation. Recognizing this need, the Hellenic American Union , in collaboration with the Academy of Electronic Media at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (USA) has developed a state-of-the-art, pedagogically innovative, web-based language learning program unlike anything previously available to students or would-be students of the Greek language. With its flexibility, authenticity, and adaptability, Hellas Alive© represents a quantum leap forward in language learning over the Internet.

Hellas Alive© is a rich multimedia platform that immerses learners in a 3D virtual city and cultural playspaces to help them acquire a visual cultural context for language learning.

Hellas Alive© also provides learners with the opportunity to interact and collaborate with tutors and other learners using such tools as sound messages, chat, and written announcements. Authentic Greek is presented in context through videos and other media. The program also has a great variety of activities and exercises that let users practise the language and assess their learning. Special reference areas, enhanced by images, audio, and video, present vocabulary and grammar in context.

Most importantly, learners can proceed at their own pace, as they can access course content anytime and from anywhere.

The language-learning component of Hellas Alive© uses advanced methods of course structuring, collaborative learning and tutoring support to enable learners to learn Greek in a rich supportive learning environment while, at the same time, it facilitates communication among its network of learners.

The conceptual framework of the project is that of simulated learning. Learners are introduced to real world situations and interactions, with the use of authentic texts and a variety of exercises and activities that are presented and done on-line. Learners are also immersed in a contemporary Greek and Greek-American cultural context enhanced by a variety of media such as pictures, sounds , and videos.

The pedagogical framework follows the communicative approach to foreign language learning. There is emphasis on real communication through the use of real tasks in a variety of language exercises. The learning material is highly interactive and all four skills (speaking-listening-reading-writing) are practised. Grammar and vocabulary are also presented in a stimulating and communicative context.

Hellas Alive© is innovative, not only because of the particular components of the on-line learning system and the interactive 3D virtual city and the cultural playspaces, but also, and more importantly, because it integrates all these components within a single, highly stimulating learning environment, unlike even the one of a real classroom.

Features >

The Vision

Dimitris Tolias — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 14:44:00 GMT

In the past, the ties between the Greek communities in the United States and the Greek mainland were nourished by the continuing waves of immigrants that arrived on the shores of America, who brought with them not only the language and customs of their homeland but also their experience of contemporary Greek life. The flow of immigrants has now slowed to a trickle, and with it, the renewal of Hellenism in America that their arrival once brought. The forces of assimilation that have always been a powerful feature of American life are now working to extinguish the remaining elements of Greek culture in the States. Americans are a highly mobile people, geographically and socially, and second- and third-generation Greek-Americans are no exception. They move more frequently, often finding jobs in a different city from the place where they grew up, even in a different state. They marry, as many Americans do, outside the ethnic group of their parents and grandparents. It's easy to see how second- and third-generation Greek-Americans are losing touch with the language and culture of their forebearers.

For more than 3,000 years, the Greek language has been the means that secured the cohesion of the Greek ethnos throughout the Diaspora, the living thread of communication that linked Greeks in Kalymnos and Tampa Springs , Florida , in Nisiros and Melbourne , in Ioannina and New York in a web of shared cultural values. The erosion of these bonds, particularly those of language, is a problem that concerns both Greeks and Greek-Americans.

Hellas Alive© is designed to address this challenge — to provide the means by which potential language learners in the Greek communities abroad can effectively learn Modern Greek and come to understand the cultural wealth of the Greek past and present. At the same time, Hellas Alive© seeks to use the teaching and learning of modern Greek to solidify ties of understanding and heighten communication between the younger generation in Greek communities abroad and their counterparts in Greece and also among the Omogenia communities.

That is why we have christened the project Hellas Alive© — to make the language, culture and society of Greece come alive in the mind, heart and imagination of everyone in the Greek communities in the Diaspora.

Description and Philosophy

Dimitris Tolias — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 14:38:00 GMT

Home

Dimitris Tolias — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 14:26:00 GMT

Hellas Alive

Check your Greek

A Mini Tutorial. Learn how to use it.

A few words

Hellas Alive© Tutorial

Experience Hellas Alive© Virtual School

Contact us

Hellenic - American Communities

Content

A brief description

Meet the Podcasting parea

Xenophon

Dimitris

Maria

Yiorgos

Eleni

Get Started in Learning Greek

The Hellenic American Union

Podcast Learning

Learn Greek your way! Fast and easy through podcasting

General information

What is podcasting?

What is the procedure?

Who are the podcasts for?

What is the necessary equipment?

How much does it cost?

What you will hear

Instructions: How to download the podcasts using Podcatchers

Lessons

Lesson 1: Introductions - Αυτοσυστάσεις

Lesson 2: At the party - Στο πάρτι

Lesson 3: Family - Οικογένεια

Lesson 4: Making an appointment - Κλείσιμο ραντεβού

Lesson 5: Shopping - Ψώνια

Lesson 6: Αt the store - Στο κατάστημα

Lesson 7: Giving and asking for directions - Οδηγίες

Lesson 8: Getting ill - Ασθένεια

Lesson 9: Commands - Εντολές

Lesson 10: At the cinema - Στον κινηματογράφο

Lesson 11: What are we going to eat? - Τί θα φάμε;

Lesson 12: Looking for an apartment - Αναζήτηση διαμερίσματος

Lesson 13: At the kiosk - Στο περίπτερο

Lesson 14: At the post office - Στο ταχυδρομείο

Lesson 15: Working out - Γυμναστική

Lesson 16: How I spent my weekend - Πώς πέρασα το Σαββατοκύριακο

Lesson 17: Looking for a job - Αναζήτηση δουλειάς

Lesson 18: At the super market/at the open-air market - Στο σούπερ μάρκετ/στη λαϊκή

Lesson 19: At the travel office - Στο ταξιδιωτικό γραφείο

Lesson 20: Faulty products - Ελαττωματικό προϊόν

Lesson 21: Weather - Καιρός

Lesson 22: Cinema tickets - Εισιτήρια για τον κινηματογράφο

Lesson 23: Directions for use - Οδηγίες χρήσης

Lesson 24: Moving house - Μετακόμιση

Lesson 25: A new telephone number - Καινούργιος αριθμός τηλεφώνου

Lesson 26: At the bookstore - Στο βιβλιοπωλείο

Lesson 27: At the bar - Στο μπαρ

Lesson 28: At the hotel - Στο ξενοδοχείο

Lesson 29: At the doctor's - Στο γιατρό

Lesson 30: At the bus stop - Στη στάση

Lesson 31: Using the ATM - Χρησιμοποιώντας το ΑΤΜ

Lesson 32: Homework - Διάβασμα

Lesson 33: Dialing the wrong number - Λάθος αριθμός

Lesson 34: At the super market/At the street market - Στο σούπερ μάρκετ/Στη λαϊκή

Lesson 35: Preferences - Προτιμήσεις

Lesson 36: At the hospital - Στο νοσοκομείο

Lesson 37: Congratulations and sympathy - Συγχαρητήρια/Λύπη

Lesson 38: At the Police Station - Στην Αστυνομία

Lesson 39: At the hairdresser's - Στο κομμωτήριο

Lesson 40: Family and feelings - Οικογένεια και συναισθήματα

Lesson 41: Damages in the house/The plumber - Ζημιές στο σπίτι/Υδραυλικός

Lesson 42: Pollution/Measures - Μόλυνση/Μέτρα

Lesson 43: At the video store/Αt the record store - Στο βίντεοκλαμπ/Στο δισκάδικο

Lesson 44: Apologies and excuses - Δικαιολογίες/Συγγνώμη

Lesson 45: The Power Company bill - Λογαριασμός ΔΕΗ

Lesson 46: Utilities/Flat owners' meeting - Κοινόχρηστα/Συνέλευση

Lesson 47: A break in/The Police - Διάρρηξη/Αστυνομία

Lesson 48: Theater tickets - Εισιτήρια θεάτρου

Lesson 49: Arguing over a party - Καβγάς για πάρτι

Lesson 50: At the cosmetics store/At the jeweller's - Στο κατάστημα καλλυντικών/Στο κοσμηματοπωλείο

Lessοn 51: Road Assistance - Οδική Βοήθεια