Greek classes · Los Angeles · Since 2006
Greek Classes in Los Angeles. Yia sou.
Private lessons with native-speaking instructors. Matched to your goals, your schedule, and your life. Start any time.
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Why Greek?
Four reasons to take Greek classes
Trace the Roots of Western Thought
Greek gave us democracy, philosophy, tragedy, and the scientific method. Modern Greek preserves direct links to Plato and Aristotle that no other living language can claim.
Decode English From the Inside
Over 150,000 English words derive from Greek — nearly every medical, scientific, and technical term. Learning Greek transforms your English vocabulary overnight.
Navigate the Greek Islands Like a Local
Greece has over 200 inhabited islands, most with minimal English. Greek fluency turns island-hopping from a tourist package into a real cultural immersion.
Connect With a Proud Global Diaspora
From Astoria to Melbourne, Greek communities maintain strong cultural identity. Speaking Greek earns immediate warmth and opens doors that outsiders never see.
Since 2006
Greek in Los Angeles
Modern Greek is spoken by about 13 million people, primarily in Greece and Cyprus, with sizable communities in Australia, the U.S., Canada, and Germany. It’s a direct descendant of Ancient Greek, but don’t let that intimidate you — the modern language has shed a lot of the complexity that makes classics students sweat. The case system is simpler, the verb forms are more manageable, and the pronunciation is completely different from what you’d hear in a university Ancient Greek course. You’ll need to learn the Greek alphabet, but it only takes a few days and many of the letters are already familiar from math and science.
LA has a real Greek community with actual roots, not just a few restaurants. The area around Normandie Avenue and Pico was historically LA’s Greektown, and Saint Sophia Cathedral on South Normandie has been a center of Greek Orthodox life since 1952. Greek festivals — especially the ones at Saint Sophia and Saint Anthony’s in Pasadena — pack in thousands of people every year for food, music, and dancing. Heritage learners make up a solid chunk of Greek language students in LA: second- or third-generation Greek Americans who understand yia-yia but can’t really hold their own in a full conversation. Others are learning because they’re planning extended travel through the islands, studying archaeology or history, or married into a Greek family and tired of being the one at the table who doesn’t follow the conversation.
Strommen has been teaching Modern Greek since 2014. Our native-speaking tutors focus on the language as it’s actually spoken today — not the formal katharevousa register you’ll find in old textbooks, but the demotic Greek people use in daily life. Lessons are conversation-driven from the beginning. If you’re a heritage speaker who needs to fill in grammar gaps, we’ll work on that. If you’re starting from zero and want to be functional for a trip to Athens or Crete, we’ll prioritize the practical stuff. Every lesson plan is custom-built for the student, because there’s no one-size-fits-all way to learn Greek.
No public Greek group classes right now — but we can set up a semi-private class for your family, friends, or company with as few as two people. Get in touch.
Greek class FAQ
What is the best way to learn Modern Greek?
Working with a native speaker who can correct your pronunciation and grammar in real time is the most effective approach. Greek has sounds that don't exist in English, and getting them right early saves you from building habits you'll have to break later. Beyond lessons, Greek media is solid practice — music is a great entry point because Greek pop and folk are genuinely good, and lyrics give you natural vocabulary. Greek TV shows and movies with subtitles help with listening comprehension. If you have Greek family or friends, start using the language with them, even when it feels awkward at first.
How long does it take to learn Modern Greek?
The FSI puts Greek in Category III, estimating roughly 1,100 class hours for professional proficiency. For conversational ability — enough to travel confidently, chat with relatives, or handle daily situations — most students need about 6 to 12 months of consistent study with regular practice. Heritage learners who already have listening comprehension often progress faster because they're building on a passive foundation. The alphabet takes a few days, basic phrases come quickly, and the grammar reveals its patterns within the first couple of months.
Is Modern Greek hard for English speakers?
It's moderate. The alphabet is a small hurdle but not a real obstacle — you'll have it down within a week. Grammar is more complex than Spanish but less punishing than German: three genders, four cases, and a verb system with aspect distinctions that English doesn't make. On the positive side, English has borrowed thousands of words from Greek, so vocabulary often feels more familiar than you'd expect. Words like telephone, democracy, and photograph are all Greek. Pronunciation is consistent once you learn the rules, with no silent letters or unpredictable irregularities.
Can I take Modern Greek classes online?
Yes, and for a less commonly taught language like Greek, online tutoring is often the best option available. Finding group Greek classes in LA isn't easy outside of a handful of church programs and university courses. Our online lessons give you a dedicated native-speaking tutor over video call, with full flexibility on scheduling. The format works well for Greek because so much of the learning is conversational — you need speaking practice more than anything, and that works perfectly in a video lesson.
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Since 2006 · Los Angeles
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Call 323-638-9787 or fill out our form. We match you with an instructor within 24 hours.
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