Ancient Greek: Beginners Consolidation



Overview

This 10-week consolidation course is based on the syllabus of the previous two terms (most recently - Ancient Greek: Beginners - Part 2) and is primarily tailored to meet the needs of students who completed the weekly class, but new students who are at the appropriate level of proficiency are also welcome. Students who missed some classes during the first two terms and wish to catch up for the next level in the next academic year are encouraged to join.

The course will provide plenty of opportunities for students to read stories in Greek, and to practise translation both from and into Greek, thereby consolidating both vocabulary and grammar to give greater confidence in Greek reading. 

The course will use the Reading Greek Course used in earlier terms but heavily supplemented by the tutor's own materials. 

In line with teaching of Ancient Greek in the UK, accents are not a mandatory part of the learning.

This course combines online study with a weekly 1-hour live webinar led by your tutor. Find out more about how our short online courses are taught.

Programme details

This course begins on the 17 April 2026 which is when course materials are made available to students. Students should study these materials in advance of the first live meeting which will be held on 24 April 2026, 4.30-5.30pm (UK time)

Week 1:   Revision of Verbs: Present, Imperative and Infinitive

Week 2:   Revision of Nouns: First and Second Declension (all three genders) 

Week 3:   Uses of the Definite Article

Week 4:   Contract Verbs - revision of the rules of contraction and their application

Week 5:   Adjectives, Agreement and their uses

Week 6:   Reading Week - texts to read which will draw on the grammar, and consolidate.

Week 7:   Prepositions and Prepositional Phrases

Week 8:   The Middle Voice, forms and uses

Week 9:   Greek sentence structure, revision and reading. 

Week 10:  Reading and grammar review

Textbooks

No course book required. Course materials will be provided by the course tutor.

Fees

Description Costs
Course Fee £360.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:

Concessionary fees for short courses

Tutor

Ms Elizabeth Haynes

Elizabeth Haynes has been teaching Greek for a number of years at GCSE, A Level, and for the department of Continuing Education after completing her MPhil in Greek and Latin languages and Literature. She is keen to share her love for the language and literature of Ancient Greece with as wide a range of students as possible.

Course aims

  • Consolidate what has been learnt throughout the first two terms, and
  • Revise more challenging aspects of the language that are appropriate for the level
  • Develop greater fluency and confidence in reading Greek

Course objectives:

  • Reading and translating short Greek texts.
  • Understanding grammar and recognising grammatical phenomena in texts.
  • Building a basic vocabulary in Greek.

Teaching methods

During the live sessions, students will be asked to read out and translate sentences, sometimes in small groups and sometimes in class taking turns. Students will always be encouraged to ask questions, and enough time will be put aside to answer them. Grammar will be explained systematically and practised in exercises designed for this purpose. Homework will be assigned regularly in order to enhance the students' learning process.

Learning takes place on a weekly schedule. At the start of each weekly unit, students are provided with learning materials on our online platform, including one hour of pre-recorded video, often supplemented by guided readings and educational resources. These learning materials prepare students for a one-hour live webinar with an expert tutor at the end of each weekly unit which they attend in small groups. Webinars are held on Microsoft Teams, and provide the opportunity for students to respond to discussion prompts and ask questions. The blend of weekly learning materials that can be worked through flexibly, together with a live meeting with a tutor and their peers, maximise learning and engagement through interaction in a friendly, supportive environment.

 

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be expected to be able to:

1. read texts in the Greek alphabet and pronounce them correctly.

2. apply their knowledge of the basics of Greek grammar and word formation.

3. translate short texts from ancient Greek into English.

4. translate sentences from English into Greek which relate to the points of grammar above with some degree of accuracy
 

Assessment methods

You will be set short, optional assignments to consolidate your learning and to allow you to progress at your own pace.

Application

Please use the 'Book' or 'Apply' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an Enrolment form for short courses | Oxford University Department for Continuing Education

 

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support