Abstract:

Instruction in the ancient Greek language has traditionally been dominated by a grammar-oriented methodology focused on having the students attain a reading knowledge of Greek texts. It is no mystery, however, that the grammatical apparatus of a highly sophisticated language such as Greek is both a barrier and a deterrent for students whose command of their own native grammar is at best precarious these days. This paper details the process of creating an ancient Greek textbook that lays emphasis on the communicative approach typically adopted in the pedagogy of modern languages wherein oral communication and written composition in the target language play a major role. The leading principle consists of integrating in the textbook sustained conversational and compositional elements intended to offer a more intuitive, easy-to-grasp entry point to the study of Greek grammar. The paper also discusses benefits and challenges of adopting a communicative approach: does the emphasis on conversations and compositions facilitate or hamper the ultimate goal of equipping students with an adequate reading proficiency in Greek?

Keywords:

Ancient, Greek, communicative, approach, pedagogy.