Using Claude.AI to teach myself a new language.

September 30, 2025

by Matt Gilbert

Using Claude.AI to teach myself a new language.

Topic

AI Disclosure: I used AI to help me create this article.

Affiliate Link Disclosure: The links to purchase the textbook are amazon affiliate links.

Learn ancient Greek with a personal AI tutor using Hansen & Quinn’s intensive textbook

Overview

This guide shows you how to set up a structured, two-semester Classical Greek course using Claude as your personal classics professor. By the end, you’ll be able to read Plato, Homer, and the Greek tragedians in their original language.

What You’ll Need:

Time Commitment:

  • 30 weeks (two semesters)
  • 30-45 minutes daily practice
  • Weekly lesson reviews with Claude

Step 1: Set Up Your Course

Upload Your Textbook

  1. Obtain the textbook: Purchase a PDF of Hansen & Quinn’s Greek: An Intensive Course (2nd Revised Edition). I also purchased a hard copy for studying IRL.
  2. Upload to Claude: Start a new conversation and upload the PDF
  3. Verify upload: Make sure Claude can access all pages

Initialize Your AI Professor

Copy and paste this prompt to Claude:

You are going to act as though you are a leading professor of classics 
at a top college in the United States. Using Greek: An Intensive Course, 
2nd Revised Edition by Hardy Hansen and Gerald M. Quinn, you will prepare 
lessons and assignments for me to follow in order to complete the course 
and learn classical Greek over an equivalent time period of two semesters. 
I have provided a PDF copy of the textbook for your reference.

Create Your Master Control Protocol (MCP)

After Claude responds with your first assignment, request:

Create an MCP (Master Control Protocol) of instructions for yourself 
for this project so that you can keep track of what's going on and 
my progress.

This creates a living document that Claude will update throughout your course, tracking:

  • Your current progress
  • Completed assignments
  • Areas needing review
  • Upcoming lessons
  • Vocabulary totals

Step 2: Understand the Course Structure

Semester 1 (Weeks 1-15): Foundation

Units 1-10

  • Week 1-2: Greek alphabet and basic verbs (εἰμί)
  • Week 3-4: Present tense system
  • Week 5-6: Imperfect tense and first declension nouns
  • Week 7-8: Future tense and adjectives
  • Week 9-10: Third declension and aorist introduction
  • Week 11-13: Complete aorist system
  • Week 14-15: Midterm review

Goal: Master basic grammar, vocabulary (~400-500 words), and simple reading passages

Semester 2 (Weeks 16-30): Advanced Grammar

Units 11-20

  • Week 16-17: Perfect and pluperfect tenses
  • Week 18-19: Subjunctive mood
  • Week 20-21: Optative and imperative moods
  • Week 22-24: Infinitives and participles
  • Week 25-27: μι-verbs and advanced syntax
  • Week 28-30: Final review and authentic text preparation

Goal: Complete verbal system, complex syntax, vocabulary (1000+ words), extended reading

Step 3: Weekly Learning Cycle

Day 1-2: Read & Study New Material

  1. Read the assigned unit from Hansen & Quinn
  2. Take notes on grammar rules and patterns
  3. Study examples in the textbook carefully
  4. Begin vocabulary memorization (create flashcards immediately)

Day 3-4: Practice Exercises

  1. Complete all written exercises from the unit
  2. Write paradigms (verb conjugations, noun declensions) from memory
  3. Practice reading aloud – pronunciation is crucial
  4. Review vocabulary daily with flashcards

Day 5-6: Apply & Reinforce

  1. Do additional practice if provided by Claude
  2. Review previous units – Greek requires constant reinforcement
  3. Test yourself on vocabulary and paradigms
  4. Prepare questions for Claude about anything unclear

Day 7: Submit & Review with Claude

  1. Submit your completed work to Claude
  2. Ask questions about concepts you found difficult
  3. Review corrections and understand your mistakes
  4. Receive next week’s assignment

Step 4: Optimize Your Interaction with Claude

How to Submit Work

Format your submissions clearly:

Week [X] Submission - Unit [Y]

Completed Exercises:
[Type or photograph your written exercises]

Questions:
1. [Specific question about grammar point]
2. [Question about vocabulary or translation]

Ready for: [Next assignment / More practice on current unit]

Best Practices for AI Tutoring

DO:

  • ✓ Be specific about what you don’t understand
  • ✓ Show your work so Claude can identify error patterns
  • ✓ Ask for additional examples or practice exercises
  • ✓ Request memory aids or mnemonics for difficult concepts
  • ✓ Ask Claude to explain connections between concepts
  • ✓ Request cultural or historical context when helpful

DON’T:

  • ✗ Skip exercises or try to move ahead without mastery
  • ✗ Just ask for answers – engage with the learning process
  • ✗ Ignore corrections – review them carefully
  • ✗ Rush through material – language learning takes time

Effective Questions to Ask Claude

  • “Can you explain why [this form] is different from [that form]?”
  • “I’m struggling with [concept]. Can you provide more examples?”
  • “Can you create additional practice sentences using [grammar point]?”
  • “What’s a good memory trick for remembering [paradigm/rule]?”
  • “How does [new concept] relate to [previously learned concept]?”

Step 5: Essential Study Techniques

Daily Vocabulary Practice

Spaced Repetition is Key

  1. Use Anki or similar flashcard app
    • Add new vocabulary immediately after encountering it
    • Review daily (this takes 10-15 minutes)
    • Include principal parts for all verbs
  2. Card Format:
    • Front: Greek word (in Greek characters)
    • Back: English meaning(s), part of speech, any irregular forms
  3. Learn word families together:
    • λύω (I loose), λύσις (a loosing), λυτός (able to be loosed)

Writing Practice

Handwrite everything – this dramatically improves retention:

  1. Write paradigms (verb tables, noun declensions) repeatedly
  2. Copy out Greek passages to internalize spelling and accents
  3. Keep a dedicated Greek notebook
  4. Practice writing without looking at your notes

Reading Aloud

Develop your Greek “ear”:

  1. Read every Greek sentence aloud
  2. Listen to recorded Greek if available (search “Ancient Greek pronunciation”)
  3. Memorize short passages and recite them
  4. This helps with retention and comprehension

Grammar Paradigm Mastery

Create cheat sheets:

  1. Write out all verb conjugations on single pages
  2. Create declension tables for all noun types
  3. Review these daily until automatic
  4. Quiz yourself: “Give me third person plural aorist active indicative of λύω”

Step 6: Staying on Track

Maintain Consistent Conversation with Claude

Important: Keep your entire course in ONE conversation thread with Claude:

  • Claude references your MCP and progress throughout
  • Context accumulates (Claude remembers what you’ve learned)
  • Progress tracking remains accurate
  • You can scroll back to review previous lessons

Weekly Check-ins

Every Sunday (or your chosen day):

  1. Review the week’s progress
  2. Submit completed work to Claude
  3. Get feedback and corrections
  4. Receive next week’s assignment
  5. Update your personal study calendar

Monthly Review Sessions

Every 4 weeks, request from Claude:

It's been four weeks since we started Unit [X]. Can you create a 
comprehensive review session covering Units [X] through [Y]? Include:
- Key grammar points
- Cumulative vocabulary quiz
- Translation exercises combining multiple concepts
- Assessment of my readiness to continue

When You Fall Behind

Don’t panic – communicate with Claude:

I've fallen behind on my schedule. I'm currently on Week [X] but 
should be on Week [Y]. Can you help me create a catch-up plan that 
doesn't sacrifice mastery for speed?

Claude can adjust pacing while maintaining educational integrity.

Step 7: Supplementary Resources

While Claude + Hansen & Quinn are your core tools, consider:

For Vocabulary:

  • Anki Greek Decks: Pre-made flashcard decks (search “Ancient Greek Anki”)
  • Memrise: Ancient Greek courses available

For Additional Practice:

  • Joint Association of Classical Teachers (JACT): Reading Greek (alternative textbook with different approach)
  • Perseus Digital Library (perseus.tufts.edu): Free Greek texts with vocabulary tools

For Reference:

  • LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones): The standard Greek-English lexicon (online at logeion.uchicago.edu)
  • Smyth’s Greek Grammar: Comprehensive reference (available free online)

For Community:

  • r/AncientGreek: Reddit community for questions and motivation
  • Schola Latina/Greek Discord servers: Find study partners

Using These WITH Claude

Ask Claude:

I found [this resource]. How can I integrate it with our Hansen & 
Quinn course? Should I use it now or wait until [X point in course]?

Step 8: Troubleshooting Common Issues

“I’m Overwhelmed by Memorization”

Solution:

  1. Ask Claude to break vocabulary into smaller daily chunks
  2. Focus on high-frequency words first
  3. Use mnemonics – ask Claude: “What’s a good memory trick for [word]?”
  4. Accept that some forgetting is normal – spaced repetition handles this

“I Don’t Understand [Grammar Concept]”

Solution:

  1. Ask Claude for multiple explanations using different approaches
  2. Request comparison with English or other languages you know
  3. Ask for more examples with gradual complexity
  4. Do NOT move forward until it clicks

“The Pace is Too Fast/Slow”

Solution:

The current pace feels [too fast/too slow]. Can we adjust to 
[your preference]? I want to maintain mastery while [staying 
motivated/being challenged].

“I Can’t See the PDF Clearly in My Uploads”

Solution:

  1. Ensure PDF is high quality before uploading
  2. Keep physical or digital copy open while working
  3. Reference page numbers in your questions to Claude
  4. Claude can see the PDF; you just need to work from your copy

“My Conversation Thread is Getting Too Long”

Solution:

  1. Periodically ask Claude to summarize your progress
  2. Save the MCP artifact externally
  3. If starting a new conversation, re-upload textbook and share progress summary
  4. Generally, keeping one thread is best for continuity

Step 9: Midterm & Final Assessments

Semester 1 Midterm (Week 14-15)

Request from Claude:

I'm ready for the Semester 1 midterm assessment. Please create:
1. Comprehensive grammar review (Units 1-10)
2. Vocabulary quiz (cumulative ~400-500 words)
3. Translation exercises (Greek to English and English to Greek)
4. Assessment of my readiness for Semester 2

Semester 2 Final (Week 28-30)

Request from Claude:

I'm ready for the final assessment. Please create:
1. Complete grammar review (Units 1-20)
2. Cumulative vocabulary assessment
3. Extended translation passages
4. Analysis of my readiness to read authentic Greek texts
5. Recommendations for what to read next

Step 10: After Completion – Reading Authentic Texts

Congratulations! Now What?

After completing Hansen & Quinn with Claude, you’re ready for authentic Greek literature.

Ask Claude:

I've completed the Hansen & Quinn course. Based on my performance, 
which Greek texts should I start reading? Please suggest a progression 
from easier to more difficult, and offer to guide me through my first 
authentic text with commentary and assistance.

Suggested Progression

Easier texts to start:

  1. Xenophon’s Anabasis (Books 1-2)
  2. Selected Platonic dialogues (Crito, Euthyphro)
  3. New Testament Greek (if interested)
  4. Greek Anthology (short poems)

Intermediate:

  1. Herodotus (selections)
  2. Euripides’ Alcestis or Medea
  3. More Plato (Apology, Phaedo)

Advanced:

  1. Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey
  2. Thucydides
  3. Aeschylus and Sophocles
  4. Aristophanes’ comedies

Continue with Claude: Have Claude guide you through these texts with commentary, vocabulary help, and cultural context.

Tips for Success

Mindset

  • Be patient: Language learning is gradual
  • Embrace mistakes: They’re essential to learning
  • Stay consistent: 30 minutes daily beats 3 hours weekly
  • Celebrate progress: You’re learning a 2,500-year-old language!

Habits

  • Study at the same time daily: Build routine
  • Review constantly: Greek requires frequent reinforcement
  • Write by hand: Dramatically improves retention
  • Join a community: r/AncientGreek for motivation

Realistic Expectations

  • Week 1-4: Alphabet and basic forms feel overwhelming (normal!)
  • Week 5-10: Patterns start emerging (exciting!)
  • Week 11-15: First “aha!” moments with reading
  • Week 16-20: Complex grammar challenges you (push through!)
  • Week 21-30: Pieces come together, reading becomes smoother
  • Post-course: Authentic texts are hard but doable with dictionary

Cost Breakdown

Required:

  • Hansen & Quinn textbook: $40-80 (new) or $20-40 (used)
  • Claude Pro subscription: $20/month × 8 months = $160
  • Flashcard app (Anki): Free
  • Total: ~$200-240 for complete two-semester course

Compare to:

  • University Greek course: $3,000-6,000+ per semester
  • Private tutoring: $50-100+/hour × 30 weeks = $1,500-3,000+

This method: Professional-quality instruction at ~5% the cost of traditional options

Why This Method Works

Advantages of AI-Assisted Learning

  1. Personalized pacing: Move faster or slower as needed
  2. Unlimited questions: Never feel embarrassed to ask
  3. Immediate feedback: Submit work anytime, get corrections quickly
  4. Flexible scheduling: Study when it fits your life
  5. Patient instruction: Claude never gets frustrated
  6. Consistent methodology: Same “professor” entire course
  7. Comprehensive tracking: MCP keeps everything organized

Why Hansen & Quinn?

  • Intensive but logical: Builds systematically
  • Real Greek quickly: Start reading passages early
  • Academic standard: Used at Yale, Berkeley, and other top programs
  • Complete coverage: Everything needed for authentic texts
  • Proven method: 40+ years of successful students

Conclusion

Learning Classical Greek opens doors to 2,500 years of philosophy, history, drama, and poetry in their original languages. With Claude as your AI professor and Hansen & Quinn as your textbook, you have access to world-class instruction at a fraction of traditional costs.

The key is consistency: 30-45 minutes daily, honest engagement with the material, and regular check-ins with Claude. In 30 weeks, you’ll be reading Homer, Plato, and the tragedians in Greek.

Ready to begin? Upload your textbook to Claude and use the prompt from Step 1. Your journey into the ancient world starts now.

Χαίρετε καὶ εὐτυχεῖτε! (Farewell and good fortune!)

Quick Start Checklist

  • [ ] Purchase/obtain Hansen & Quinn textbook
  • [ ] Set up Claude Pro account
  • [ ] Upload PDF to Claude
  • [ ] Use initialization prompt (from Step 1)
  • [ ] Request MCP creation
  • [ ] Set up flashcard system (Anki recommended)
  • [ ] Create study schedule (30-45 min daily)
  • [ ] Get notebook for handwriting practice
  • [ ] Begin Week 1 assignment
  • [ ] Join r/AncientGreek for community support

For questions, troubleshooting, or to share your progress, feel free to reach out or post in Classical language learning communities. Good luck on your journey to reading Greek!

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