Weeks 1–2: Writing Practice and Recognition

Introduction

Now that you have been introduced to the Greek alphabet, the next step is to become comfortable writing and recognizing the letters. Reading and writing go hand-in-hand: the more you write, the easier it will be to recognize letters when you see them in texts. Think of this stage as “training your eyes and hands” to work together.

Step 1: Writing the Alphabet

Uppercase and Lowercase

Each Greek letter has an uppercase and lowercase form. Some are very similar to English letters (like Α/α, Ν/ν), while others may look very different (like ξ, θ, ψ). It’s important to master both forms, since the New Testament manuscripts and modern printed editions use both.

👉 Tip: Always learn the uppercase and lowercase together, just as you did when learning English letters.

Writing Guidelines

1. Slow and deliberate: Write each letter carefully until you get the shape right.

2. Repeat often: Write the alphabet in order, then try writing it out of order.

3. Sound it out: As you write, say the letter’s name and sound aloud. This reinforces the connection in your brain.

Example Exercise:

• Write Α α five times. Say “alpha—ah” each time.

• Write Β β five times. Say “beta—b” each time.

• Continue this pattern through all 24 letters.

Step 2: Recognizing Letters

Recognition is about training your eyes to instantly identify letters. This is especially important because some letters look very similar at first glance.

• Similar-looking letters to watch:

  • Η (Eta) vs. Ν (Nu)

  • Ρ (Rho) vs. P (English P)

  • Υ (Upsilon) vs. V (English V)

  • Χ (Chi) vs. X (English X)

Don’t confuse Greek letters with what they look like in English. For example, Ρ is “Rho” and sounds like r, not p.

Practice by reading random strings of letters until you can name each one without hesitation.

Example:

• ΛηΨΚβ → “Lambda, Eta, Psi, Kappa, Beta”

Step 3: Combining Writing and Recognition

The best way to solidify your knowledge is to read what you have written. After writing a line of Greek letters or words, go back and read them aloud. This double practice locks both recognition and production into your memory.

👉 If possible, write a short list of letters or simple words on index cards. Use them as flashcards for quick recognition practice throughout the day.

Step 4: Transitioning to Words

Once you’re comfortable with the individual letters, begin writing simple Greek words. This practice will help you connect the letters into meaningful forms.

Examples to Try:

• λογος (logos – “word”)

• ἁγιος (hagios – “holy”)

• πιστις (pistis – “faith”)

Write each word several times, saying the sounds aloud as you write. You can find more words to write in the Greek To Me Vocabulary Tool.

Practice Assignments

1. Writing Practice

• Write the entire Greek alphabet (uppercase and lowercase) three times daily for one week.

• Say the letter’s name and sound aloud each time you write it.

2. Recognition Drill

• Use the Greek To Me Alphabet Trainer for 10-15 minutes per day until you can recognize every letter instantly.

3. Letter Differentiation

• Write pairs of similar-looking letters side by side (e.g., Ρ and P, Η and Ν). Practice naming them quickly.

4. Word Writing

• Copy the following words five times each, sounding them out as you write:

  • λογος

  • πιστις

  • ἁμαρτια (hamartia – “sin”)

  • μαθητης (mathētēs – “disciple”)

5. Daily Routine

• Spend 15–20 minutes daily writing and recognizing letters. Your goal by the end of Week 2 is to confidently read and write any Greek word placed in front of you. You can find more words to read and write in the Greek To Me Vocabulary tool.

Encouragement

At first, your letters may look uneven or shaky—this is normal. Over time, your handwriting will become smooth and natural. More importantly, your recognition skills will grow until you no longer pause to identify each letter.

Remember: this is like learning to ride a bike. Wobbly at first, steady with practice. Every word of the New Testament you will one day read begins here—with writing and recognition.

Keep going! You are building the essential foundation for everything else in this course.