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

Showing posts with label Biblical Greek. Show all posts

9/26/13

Hitler Freaks Out About the Demise of the Erasmian Pronunciation

Here's a humorous little video, playing off of the popular "Hitler freakout" meme that's been floating around for a while, about the demise of the Erasmian pronunciation. Enjoy and then check out the Conversational Koine Institute.

7/25/13

New Biblical (Koine) Greek Blog

Hello friends, I just wanted to announce today the launch of the Conversational Koine Institute's new blog. The blog will deal with any variety of topics having to do with Biblical (Koine) Greek. Over the next month and a half or so, we're going to be focusing on the (Definite) Article. You can find out more about the blog and read the fist post by clicking the following link and then navigating to and selecting the "Blog" tab: Conversational Koine Institute.

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

4/29/13

Kindle Version: Handbook of Ancient Greek Grammatical Terms

Hello readers, I just wanted to let you all know that the Kindle version of my latest book A Handbook of Ancient Greek Grammatical Terms is now available. You can get it HERE. If digital books are not your thing you can also pick up the printed version HERE or HERE.

4/25/13

New Book: A Handbook of Ancient Greek Grammatical Terms

Hello friends! I am pleased today to announce the release of my newest publication. The book is titled A Handbook of Ancient Greek Grammatical Terms: Greek-English and English-Greek. This work is part of the "AGROS" series that is being produced by GlossaHouse, which is an up-and-coming Greek language/linguistics publisher (website to be launched soon). The Handbook of Ancient Greek Grammatical Terms contains over 600 terms and is two-directional. Arranged in two parts, this means that you can search in the first part of the book by Greek terms and in the second part by English terms. Each entry contains ancient/primary sources where terms are attested. In addition, each entry also contains glosses and a brief note or example or explanation of what the grammatical term means or how it functions. For anyone interested in Greek and/or English grammar, especially ancient Greek grammar, this book is for you. The volume is 208pp. and is now on sale for $16.41. You can purchase the book through one of Amazon's distributors by clicking HERE. The book is also available on the main Amazon HERE. A digital (Kindle) version is also in the works.

4/23/13

You're Invited to the Party! Conversational Koine Institute

Have you ever tried to learn Greek but just couldn't get it? Did you feel confused and alone? Well, then you can probably relate to the guy in this video. But...consider this your invitation to overcome! That's right, the Conversational Koine Institute extends an invitation for you to join the party, to come and learn ancient biblical / Koine Greek in a fun way and in an enjoyable atmosphere. Now you can learn to speak biblical / Koine Greek New classes begin soon (Tuesday, May 14th) but there's still a little bit of time to register. You can do so by clicking the following link: Register for the upcoming online Greek class with the Conversational Koine Institute. Have questions first? Click the link and shoot me an email. I'd be glad to hear from ya!

4/18/13

How To Keep Your Greek After College or Seminary: Conversational Biblical Greek

Can you relate to Frank? Well then you're not alone. In fact there are a plethora of folks who can relate.

Indeed, for the many students who go through college or seminary taking Greek classes can seem daunting. Part of the reason for that is because they've seen so many others do it and have little to no payoff. Indeed, most of the pastors and preachers I know are incapable of engaging the Greek New Testament in any meaningful way. Sure, they might own an interlinear that they crack open every now and then but ultimately that doesn't really add up to anything substantive. In short, most preachers simply do not keep their Greek but rather they lose it. Keeping up with one's biblical languages seems like an impossible task for many. The weekly demands of the pastorate or the daily demands of family life and/or other types of jobs become reasons not to maintain the languages. Well, the Conversational Koine Institute can offer a remedy to that. How?

One of the great things about our online Greek classes is that they only require 1 hour a week. There is NO homework either. Yes, you read that correctly: 1 hour per week. That's right 1 hour out of 168 hours (= the # of hours in a week) using the Conversational Koine Institute's approach will help you not only "keep" your Greek but make it much more robust. In turn, this means that those seminary or college classes you took and the money you spent on them will not be for naught; they might actually keep paying dividends.

So, in addition to NO homework and only 1 hour per week, what else is so great about the Conversational Koine Institute? Well, I could offer many items here but let me just give three. First, you can do this all right from the comfort of your home, office or anywhere in the world. All you need is a computer and internet connection. Second, the cost is highly affordable. While college and seminary classes cost you thousands of dollars, you can take a class with CKI right now* for under $50. Third, CKI has connected with people from around the world. The Conversational Koine Institute has connected with students all over the United States, Canada, Russia, Brazil, India and more. This brings a very nice diversity to the classroom and allows you to build relationships with others. For more information check out the video above (if you haven't already) and then head on over to the Conversational Koine Institute (click HERE) where you can sign up for a class or event.

* (Spring/Summer 2013) Prices subject to change.

4/15/13

Learn Greek Online: Conversational Koine Institute

Do you have a busy schedule? Do you wish there was a way that you could spend more time in texts like the Bible? Do you wish that you could learn ancient Greek so that you could engage texts like the Greek New Testament more responsibility? Or are you one of those folks who took ancient Greek years ago but somewhere along the way "lost it"? Well, the Conversational Koine Institute has an answer for you! Now you can learn Greek online from the comfort of your home. You can begin to learn biblical Greek by investing just one hour per week. Even more, you can learn biblical Greek online with others from all around the world. All you need is a computer and internet connection and you're ready to go. Whether you're a beginner or someone who's studied Greek in the past you can take Greek classes online and "Get Greek!" Check out the following animated video for more details and then visit ConversationalKoine.com when you're done.

4/12/13

FREE App: Conversational Koine Institute

Hi friends, I wanted to briefly draw your attention to the Conversational Koine Institute's new app that is available for FREE on the Android market. This is just another way that CKI, the institute that helps you "Get Greek!", wants to connect with you. You can get the free app by clicking HERE and then navigating to the Android icon at the top of the page and selecting it. The app has some free audio, a list of upcoming classes & events, links to various social media pages, an "about page," and in addition to other details, a contact form. Now you can learn about and get in touch with CKI right from your mobile device! That's right, you can get informed about and connected with CKI, the institute that wants to help you learn to speak biblical Greek / Koine Greek, right from your phone. Best of all, as I said above, the app is free and there is no cost to you. Even more, it will be updated from time to time with various information and resources. Go get your free app now and if you would, help spread the word. Thanks! (PS: For those of you not using the Android platform, I do not anticipate that this app will be available in other markets. The Apple developer fee is just not worth paying and I don't have the time, finances, or abilities to learn the numerous other mobile platforms.)

4/8/13

You Can Speak Koine Greek

Interested in learning Koine Greek? Well, now you can in a fun, laid back, and cost-effective way with a minimal weekly time commitment. Check out our upcoming online classes and events HERE and register HERE. As the video below points out, you can begin learning to speak biblical Greek in just 1 hour a week (with no homework!):

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

Session 11: Tues July 9, 3:45pm-4:45pm

Session 12: Tues July 16, 3:45pm-4:45pm

Session 1: Tues May 14, 8:45pm-9:45pm

Session 2: Thur May 16, 8:45pm-9:45pm

Session 3: Tues May 21, 8:45pm-9:45pm

Session 4: Thur May 23, 8:45pm-9:45pm

Session 5: Tues May 28, 8:45pm-9:45pm

Session 6: Tues June 4, 8:45pm-9:45pm

Session 7: Tues June11, 8:45pm-9:45pm

Session 8: Tues June18, 8:45pm-9:45pm

Session 9: Tues June 25, 8:45pm-9:45pm

Session 10: Tues July 2, 8:45pm-9:45pm

Session 11: Tues July 9, 8:45pm-9:45pm

Session 12: Tues July 16, 8:45pm-9:45pm

Conversational Koine Institute | Downloadable Image Version

3/22/13

New Greek Website: Conversational Koine Institute

Hello friends. I just wanted to bring to your attention a new Greek website that has just launched. The website is of the Conversational Koine Institute, an endeavor that I have started and which you can learn more about at www.CovnersationalKoine.com. Here, in addition to access to a number of resources, including some which are FREE, you can find out about upcoming classes & CKI events.

There are two particularly important events that are coming up that I want to bring to your attention:

1. A new round of Conversational Koine Greek 1 classes begin on May 14th. Find out more about that HERE or register HERE. Also, watch (and feel free to share) this video about the upcoming class:

2. The Conversational Koine: Weekend Immersion Event will be taking place in Lexington, Ky from May 31st - June 1st. You can learn more about that HERE.

Thanks for reading and now, click HERE to go check out the CKI site.Thanks for reading and now, click HERE to go check out the CKI site.

1/24/13

Conversational Koine: A Weekend Immersion Event

I am pleased to announce today, an upcoming Conversational Koine event that will take place in Lexington, KY. You can see more details on the flyer below but let me draw your attention to several things. The event is an immersion event, which means that you will jump right into speaking, hearing, and responding in and to Koine Greek. This is an event aimed at those interested in beginning to learn to speak Koine. This means that the immersion event is open to folks who have never studied Greek a day in their lives as well as professors or students who may have spent many years studying Greek.

The event will be co-led by me (Michael Halcomb) and my friend Jordan Day. We have developed a great weekend workshop curriculum and expect that those who participate will come away not only with a greater love for Greek but a greater ability to begin speaking it and engaging it in their Greek New Testament. If you have questions feel free to contact me. Please note that the workshop is only $99 (+ a small tax fee if you pay online) and is on a first come first serve basis. Currently we have 12 spots allotted. Feel free to download and share the flyer posted below. Click HERE for an image file of the flyer.