Comments on: Keep your Greek: testing some lines http://readbetterpreachbetter.com/2009/10/06/keep-your-greek-testing-some-lines/ Bible Hermeneutics, Ethics & Preaching Mon, 01 Mar 2010 20:16:43 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Con Campbell http://readbetterpreachbetter.com/2009/10/06/keep-your-greek-testing-some-lines/#comment-745 Con Campbell Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:52:30 +0000 http://readbetterpreachbetter.com/?p=960#comment-745 I'd love to see those workbooks, Phil. You're right, all the various approaches boil down to those four things; that's helpful. I’d love to see those workbooks, Phil. You’re right, all the various approaches boil down to those four things; that’s helpful.

]]> By: Phil Faris http://readbetterpreachbetter.com/2009/10/06/keep-your-greek-testing-some-lines/#comment-744 Phil Faris Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:12:16 +0000 http://readbetterpreachbetter.com/?p=960#comment-744 The "line" about bicep curls doesn't really work because it blurs the analogy on the Greek side. In a way, interlinear reading is isolating one muscle (recognize Greek letters or words, possibly pronouncing them) but not getting the full-body, holistic exercise of reading passages in Greek without any tools. So I wouldn't put that line in the book without revamping it. It is a good start; just not polished in the best way possible. Regarding "using Greek": I am writing language retension workbooks for Greek and Hebrew. Language skills can be broken down into the top four plus many sub skills. That is, reading, listening, writing, speaking are the performance skills while many learning techniques form sub-tasks within each of the top four. When I am finished, I send you a copy of my workbooks to see if they offer anything different. Maybe we can take a dozen old pastors and test them to see which methods produce the best results. The “line” about bicep curls doesn’t really work because it blurs the analogy on the Greek side. In a way, interlinear reading is isolating one muscle (recognize Greek letters or words, possibly pronouncing them) but not getting the full-body, holistic exercise of reading passages in Greek without any tools.

So I wouldn’t put that line in the book without revamping it. It is a good start; just not polished in the best way possible.

Regarding “using Greek”: I am writing language retension workbooks for Greek and Hebrew. Language skills can be broken down into the top four plus many sub skills. That is, reading, listening, writing, speaking are the performance skills while many learning techniques form sub-tasks within each of the top four. When I am finished, I send you a copy of my workbooks to see if they offer anything different. Maybe we can take a dozen old pastors and test them to see which methods produce the best results.

]]> By: Con Campbell http://readbetterpreachbetter.com/2009/10/06/keep-your-greek-testing-some-lines/#comment-740 Con Campbell Sun, 25 Oct 2009 08:11:31 +0000 http://readbetterpreachbetter.com/?p=960#comment-740 Thanks, Jason. I use the musical instrument analogy too; it's a long-term commitment, and can seem overwhelming at first. But with regular work, it comes together. Thanks, Jason. I use the musical instrument analogy too; it’s a long-term commitment, and can seem overwhelming at first. But with regular work, it comes together.

]]> By: Jason Chamberlain http://readbetterpreachbetter.com/2009/10/06/keep-your-greek-testing-some-lines/#comment-728 Jason Chamberlain Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:22:44 +0000 http://readbetterpreachbetter.com/?p=960#comment-728 I often tell people that learning a Biblical language is no different from learning an instrument or how to play a sport. There is a long learning curve to basic proficiency. The only way to develop and maintain that proficiency is through consistent and thoughtful practice. This is why I keep doing flashcards regularly and why I read at least a paragraph in my Reader's Greek every day. I also have found that more exposure to the language has helped me when I use my UBS4. Of course there are some words I don't know, but I can often figure them out by context or by breaking the word down into components. I usually run a 5k 3 times/week and a 10k once/week. There are times when I can't do that because of sickness, travel, weather, etc. What I've found is that consistency breeds more consistency and better performance, but any time I have to take a break it becomes more difficult to get back into it. Greek has been no different for me. I often tell people that learning a Biblical language is no different from learning an instrument or how to play a sport. There is a long learning curve to basic proficiency. The only way to develop and maintain that proficiency is through consistent and thoughtful practice. This is why I keep doing flashcards regularly and why I read at least a paragraph in my Reader’s Greek every day.

I also have found that more exposure to the language has helped me when I use my UBS4. Of course there are some words I don’t know, but I can often figure them out by context or by breaking the word down into components.

I usually run a 5k 3 times/week and a 10k once/week. There are times when I can’t do that because of sickness, travel, weather, etc. What I’ve found is that consistency breeds more consistency and better performance, but any time I have to take a break it becomes more difficult to get back into it. Greek has been no different for me.

]]>