The Blog of Dr. T. Michael W. Halcomb: Ancient Greek

Showing posts with label Ancient Greek. Show all posts

3/26/15

Discussing Ancient Greek: 3 Conference Presentations in April

For those who follow this blog, I wanted to give an update on three upcoming conference presentations I'll be giving in April (2015). Two of them are in Indiana and one of them is in Kentucky. I have included the titles and locations below.

"All The Small Things: Some Thoughts on the Usefulness of Rod Decker's Baylor Handbooks"

(NB: I'll be both presenting and chairing the Scholar's Roundtable where, as a sort of tribute and scholarly discussion combined, we'll be considering the late Rod Decker's two volumes on Mark's Gospel in the Baylor Handbook series. This will take place at the Annual Meeting of the Stone-Campbell Journal Conference, Indianapolis (Apr., 10, 2015)).

"Do You Know Greek? Hebrew? Latin?: Exploring Multilinguality in the Ancient World"

(Annual Meeting of the Stone-Campbell Journal Conference, Indianapolis, Apr., 10, 2015).

"Modern Linguistics and Ancient Languages: Considerations for the Recovery of Ancient Pronunciation(s) of Greek"

(Asbury Theological Seminary, Gamma Rho Kappa: Greek Honor Society Meeting, Apr., 21, 2015)

7/20/13

Speak Biblical Greek: Conversational Koine Institute

Check out the new video by and for the Conversational Koine Institute. Feel free to share. To inquire about or enroll for upcoming classes, go HERE.

7/18/13

Fall 2013 - Greek 1 Registration Open

Today I'm pleased to announce that registration for the Greek 1 class (Fall 2013) with the Conversational Koine Institue is now open to all. Check out the flyer below for more details. You can get more details on classes HERE and inquire about or register for classes HERE. Feel free to download (but not modify), print and/or share the flyer with others.

7/12/13

(My New Book) 800 Words and Images: A New Testament Greek Vocabulary Builder

Dear friends, I am pleased today to announce the release of my sixth book which is titled 800 Words and Images: A New Testament Greek Vocabulary Builder. Along with audio companion files, this work was printed in color with GlossaHouse and is perfect for anyone wanting to build their New Testament Greek vocabulary. The book has received a number of good reviews already, including one from Bill Mounce, who says the following:

"All language teachers know that a key to learning vocabulary is to use as many of our senses as possible. 800 Words and Images succeeds at using visual and auditory as well as semantic grouping to help students master their Koine vocabulary. I heartily salute this project."

William Mounce, Ph.D. - BiblicalTraining.org

You can get your print copy HERE right now. The audio files are available HERE. A digital version for Kindle is in the works and I'll post on it when it becomes available. But if you would, keep reading and let me go ahead and share a little bit more about the book. Here's the aim of 800 Words and Images:

An essential aspect of successfully navigating any foreign language is vocabulary acquisition. Acquiring the ability to comprehend, recall, and use vocabulary takes time and practice. As a vocabulary-building resource, 800 Words and Images is strategically arranged to assist students in gaining competency and fluency in Koine Greek. Divided into ten sections, this work links together nearly eight hundred words from the New Testament with helpful visuals. In addition, audio files for each section have been created so that students can listen while interacting with the book. Research from the fields of cognitive linguistics, neurosciences, and mental representation theory show that when images and sounds are combined in the process of vocabulary learning, retention is dramatically increased. 800 Words and Images utilizes this research for the purpose of helping and encouraging Koine Greek students. All learners, whether autodidacts or participants in a classroom, can use this work to bolster their New Testament Greek vocabularies. Dr. Richard Heyduck and several students also had great things to say about the book:

"Whether you're a beginner or a long time student of New Testament Greek, you will recognize the need to build and maintain a strong vocabulary base. In this work Michael Halcomb has given us a tool to do exactly that. Since this book is image based, it works well for multiple ages and does not require initial English fluency."

Richard Heyduck, Ph.D. - Wiley College

"Michael Halcomb has created just what you need to dramatically improve your ability to read the New Testament in its original language. Utilizing images and audio together with lists of vocabulary organized into semantic domains, this holistic resource will increase the fruitfulness of your studies by engaging multiple senses at once. Halcomb's method immerses students of biblical Greek into the language of the New Testament like never before."

Matt O'Reilly, Ph.D. Candidate - University of Gloucestershire

"800 Words and Images implements recent linguistic research, which suggests that vocabulary retention is substantially increased with the coupling of the visual and auditory senses. If 'A picture is worth a thousand words,' then Halcomb has captured that each word is worth a picture. This first-of-its-kind work will help any Greek student (beginner or advanced) build and retain vocabulary."

Cole Bodkin, M.Div. - SermonSleuth.com

6/13/13

New Biblical/Ancient Languages Publisher

Hello everyone, I wanted to share the news with you today that a new biblical/theological and ancient languages publisher, GlossaHouse, has officially launched its website. GlossaHouse states that it has the "vision of creating innovative Greek resources to help students and researchers advance in the language." Right now, the focus is Greek resources, particularly the AGROS series, but GlossaHouse is open to publishing resources for other languages. You can read about GlossaHouse, its current resources, and get in touch with the publisher at www.GlossaHouse.com. In addition, I'd like to mention that GlossaHouse has started the first ever Ancient Greek Honor Society, which is known as ΓΡΚ (Gamma Rho Kappa). Again, check this and more out at www.GlossaHouse.com.

6/11/13

Asbury Seminary & Conversational Koine Institute Join Forces

Today, I am very pleased to announce the formal partnership between Asbury Theological Seminary & the Conversational Koine Institute. The partnership is built around the development of a Greek Certificate Program. This means that those who participate in and complete the Conversational Koine Institute's curriculum and "opt in" for the "Greek Certificate Track" can receive an official certificate from CKI and ATS. In addition to all of the learning, there are several added benefits such as the possibility of receiving "Advanced Standing" for acceptance into one of Asbury's Masters Degree programs. You can find out more about the Greek Certificate Program HERE and via the flyer below.

6/6/13

Bring Koine Greek To Wherever You Are

Today the Conversational Koine Institute launched its "Bring CKI To You" initiative. Essentially, this initiative allows individuals, groups, or institutions to bring the Conversational Koine Institute to them. Put differently, you no longer have to wait until the next semester begins or until the next immersion workshop occurs to "Get Greek!" CKI can work with you and your calendar. You can learn more about the initiative by click HERE.

5/22/13

A Koine Greek Romance - Learn To Speak Biblical Greek

Check out this silly comic short that I recently made. Oh, and if you want to learn biblical Greek / Koine Greek online, then the Conversational Koine Institute is the place to do it. Check out the website and register for upcoming events and classes at www.ConversationalKoine.com.

5/16/13

Halcomb Interviewed About Teaching Students To Speak Koine Greek

Today, my local city/county newspaper published a very nice, full-page interview about the Conversational Koine Institute. The online version, which I assume most of you will read, seems small in comparison to the actual print version but in my view both are very nice and I'm thankful to have had this opportunity. You can check out the online interview HERE (photo taken from the newspaper's website). Thanks again, to the Jessamine Journal for sharing this.

5/13/13

Online Koine Immersion Event

Dear readers and lovers of Greek,
I want to share with you a limited-time opportunity. At the end of June CKI is host the first ever online weekend immersion workshop for Koine Greek taught by myself and Jordan Day. Currently we only have 3-4 spots left open. You can learn Greek online right from the comfort of your home or wherever you may happen to be at that moment. All you need is an internet connection and a webcam and you're good to go. Again, check out the flyer below. If you want to register, please click HERE. Availability is on a first come, first serve basis. Hope to see you there!

5/12/13

Kindle & Audio Versions of "The Path to Learning Greek" Now Available

On the heels of yesterday's release of my fifth book, ἡ ὁδός: The Path to Learning Greek, I am happy to announce today that the Kindle version is now available. You can get it by clicking HERE. You can get the print version by clicking HERE. Also, you can now get the audio to read/listen along with ἡ ὁδός by going to the GlossaHouse website HERE and scrolling to the bottom of the page to the relevant purchase link.

5/11/13

New Greek Book: ἡ ὁδός: The Path To Learning Greek

Today I am pleased to announce the release of my latest book, co-authored with my friend Jordan Day, titled ἡ ὁδός: The Path To Learning Greek. This book is an illustrated guide (all "in color"!) meant to help students on their journey toward learning and becoming fluent in ancient Koine Greek. It contains vocabulary terms that are immediately useful in daily life, a feature which helps ancient Greek come alive for learners. The illustrations are fun and the audio companion files (which can be purchased separately) also add the helpful dimension of sound; together these things engage a variety of senses, which assist students in internalizing the language more effectively. ἡ ὁδός: The Path to Learning Greek can function as a textbook or supplement to any ancient Greek class, Koine or Classical. You can see a sample below and get your copy on Amazon.com HERE or via one of Amazon's distributors HERE. You can get the audio via the GlossaHouse website (set to launch June 1st!) or, in the meantime, by contacting me by clicking HERE.

Check out what folks are saying about ἡ ὁδός:

“Wouldn't it be great to become fluent in Koine Greek, so that you could read and enjoy the New Testament in its original language? ἡ ὁδός, by Halcomb and Day, is a great way to start your journey toward that goal. Chock-full of everyday vocabulary that makes ancient Greek come alive, ἡ ὁδός will provide you with essential tools to help you immerse yourself in the language of the Greek Bible. I will be recommending this work to all my students.”

-Daniel R. Streett, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Greek and New Testament, Criswell College

“I have never reviewed a more fun book since I began reviewing books. ἡ ὁδός is extremely well done, accomplishes its purpose, and should be a fine supplement to any ancient Greek class, Koine or Classical.”

-N.E. Barry Hofstetter, M.A., Th.M.

Instructor of Classics, The American Academy

“A book such as ἡ ὁδός, making effective use of visual helps to internalize Ancient Greek, is long overdue. Lively, engaging, well-executed and conceived, this Rosetta-stone like resource will find a receptive audience hungry for creative alternatives for learning Ancient Greek. Learners at any level will benefit from the simplicity of the sentences reinforced by the pictures. The Greek is both authentic and well-structured for learning Greek as a Living Language. κύδος ὑμῖν.”

-Mark Lightman

M.A. Religious Studies, U.C.S.B

4/2/13

Learn To Speak Koine Greek

Do you want to learn biblical Greek? Do you want to learn to speak Koine Greek? Well, find out how you can learn to speak Koine Greek by watching the video below. Enrollment for upcoming classes is now open, which you can learn more about HERE. We also have a weekend immersion event just on the horizon, which you can learn more about HERE. But first, check out this video:

3/27/13

Learn To Speak Biblical Greek: Conversational Koine Institute

Have you ever wanted to learn biblical Greek? Have you ever tried to learn biblical Greek? Have you ever wished you could retain biblical Greek? Well, now you can learn. Even more, you can learn to speak biblical Greek. How? With the Conversational Koine Institute. That's right, you can "Get Greek!" Taking courses or attending events with the Conversational Koine Institute allows you to think in biblical Greek, hear and respond to biblical Greek, speak in biblical Greek, write in biblical Greek, and get into reading and interpreting biblical Greek. Want to learn more? Just visit the Conversational Koine Institute online at ConversationalKoine.com.

3/26/13

Conversational Koine Institute: Now On Facebook

Hello friends, I just wanted to let you all know that CKI (Conversational Koine Institute) has officially launched its Facebook page. In addition to CKI's site being updated, information will now also funnel through Facebook. Please check out the CKI page HERE and "Like" the page while you're there. Thanks for your support.

3/25/13

Conversational Koine Summer Course: Registration Now Open

Do you want to learn ancient Greek? Do you want to be able to engage your New Testament on a different level? Well, why not let CKI help you with that?

Following on the heels of my recent website launch for the Conversational Koine Institute, I am pleased today to be able to announce that registration is open for my summer Greek 1 course. I will be offering two sessions for the Greek 1 course, one which runs from 3:45pm-4:45pm and one which runs from 8:45pm-9:45pm. A more in-depth schedule is below. Registration for the course is only $40. There is, however, a $99 option which includes both the tuition as well as the weekly modules (i.e. audio, video, or an interactive digital program) to help supplement the course. Each student can choose which option they'd like. Please note that the 3:45pm-4:45pm class is already halfway filled. Registration is on a first come, first serve basis, so, if you want to participate, please secure your spot now. You can register by using the registration form on the Conversational Koine Institute located HERE. In addition to the course dates below, see also the flyer.

3:45pm-4:45pm (EST)

8:45pm-9:45pm (EST)

Session 1: Tues May 14, 3:45pm-4:45pm

Session 2: Thur May 16, 3:45pm-4:45pm

Session 3: Tues May 21, 3:45pm-4:45pm

Session 4: Thur May 23, 3:45pm-4:45pm

Session 5: Tues May 28, 3:45pm-4:45pm

Session 6: Tues June 4, 3:45pm-4:45pm

Session 7: Tues June11, 3:45pm-4:45pm

Session 8: Tues June18, 3:45pm-4:45pm

Session 9: Tues June 25, 3:45pm-4:45pm

Session 10: Tues July 2, 3:45pm-4:45pm