The 100 Word Exercise Book: Greek
This book is perfect to start you off with some basic words and simple knowledge of the language. However, phrases come nearer to the end of the book (unit 8, I believe, of 9) so I suggest doing that first then going back to the start. It comes with a CD and flashcards and the book is set out in different topics of about 10-15 words, followed by word-searches and picture exercises.
This is by far the best I have found for adult beginners. Again, it comes with a CD which is extremely entertaining. With the way it is laid out you will find yourself speaking just after the first unit! The grammar reference in the back is decent enough for a beginner and by the end of the course you will have a nice grounding in Greek. The only downfall of this book (as I can only assume it is the least selling book in this great series) is that it's the only one not in colour.
Eurotalk CD-ROMs (I used these myself at 11 to learn the language)
Greek Vocabulary Builder: excellent for learning basic words (not phrases) (like dog, cat, toy, melon!), despite not knowing for sure if you'd need them or when you'd use them. The pictures and games are what make this CD ROM really worth it. Every image has a sound bite in both a male and female voice and the word comes up in writing below. I use this CD ROM to introduce grammar features since the pictures make it less painful (that is, if you dread or hate grammar!). The only downfall is that there are no articles (the words for "the" in Greek) included with the nouns and there are some errors in translation (purely because the company who makes it has a template to stick to and equivalents are not always available between languages).
Greek Talk Now: Wonderful CD ROM. Again, male and female voice along with the word in writing and a picture. The games are fantastic and very entertaining and will help give you a great, sound knowledge in everyday vocabulary and phrases. Once again, though, we come across the same problem of the template where some words aren't exactly what's shown in the picture and some of the phrases are inconsistent amongst themselves (we're talking registers here: formal and informal).
Greek World Talk: Wonderful CD ROM again. Not many mistakes in this one. Great language used. Games and activities are fantastic. Use of complete sentences, conversations and best of all: dictation and dialogue recording! Printable worksheets, too! Above all, entertaining for the advancing student. The only downfall is the jump it presents from Talk Now, but it is easily overcome with me as your teacher!
Collins Gem Greek Pocket Dictionary: Lovely little thing - in colour! Includes phrases, too, but again they are inconsistent sometimes in terms of register - but that's no problem with me as your teacher! The layout is nice: clear font and most of all: the words included are useful and relevant to every day needs... no space is taken up with jargon and big words you would never think to use. Great for getting started in speaking skills on your "personal learning path" further than the scope of your course books, looking up and learning the words more relevant to you. Be warned: if you can't read small text then best go to the bookshop and find one with bigger writing because it IS a pocket dictionary after all!
And there you have it! That should be enough to get you off the ground. I use all of these materials with my students, either you can buy these books yourself, or I will provide photocopies (which I only do usually on request or when the book is quite small (or at least the writing), like the BBC book - but that's because it's meant for the traveler/tourist!)
