How to learn those strange letters so how to study Georgian alphabet? This is one of the questions we hear at the beginning of each of our courses. There are a few easy rules and free 30-40 minutes max. 4 times and the Georgian alphabet will not be a problem for you.
Each time it looks exactly the same. You sit down in front of the symbols of no meaning for us and you start thinking: this is impossible or it will take forever to learn it. But the truth is that it’s enough to have 2-3 hours to learn the Georgian alphabet. What is left then is to repeat and review your new knowledge from time to time. Of course, the best way to do this is to learn Georgian.
If you are thinking now: No way I can learn it in such a short amount of time, here are the tips that will help you achieve it.
Do not neglect any of your skills when want to study Georgian alphabet
Learning the alphabet and then the language itself is not only grammar or speaking. From the start, from the first letter you will know it is good to practice writing, reading, speaking and listening. Only thanks to the use of all the senses you’ll learn Georgian much faster.
How to do it? Start with listening to the alphabet. Then check how to write separate letters. As a next step try to read the alphabet aloud. Write the whole alphabet on your own. The best way to do it is to write each letter several times. In our study-books we suggest doing it minimum15 times. You may use the designated copybook for it that will help you with the letter proportions.
The next step is to start writing syllables – one consonant with all the vowels, e.g. ba, be, bi, bo, bu.
The final stage is to write the simple words. If you do not know any words, you may start with opening the map of Georgia and writing the names of Georgian cities and regions. Remember to read them aloud while writing. And practice it.
Do you already know our study book ‘Let’s study the Georgian alphabet’?
Devote 2-3 hours to study Georgian alphabet but not at once
If you use the above mentioned tips, you’ll learn Georgian in a very short period of time, but under one condition. You cannot just sit and learn for 2-3 hours. You need time to memorize the letters and the sounds they are connected with. That is why it is better to cut this time into smaller pieces. The first one probably will be the longest one and the best is to complete it after writing each of the letters a minimum 4-5 times. The next ones will probably be shorter.
However, make sure you have a break of minimum one day (and no more than two) between the study sessions. Each time you might spend a minimum of 10 minutes on it. After 3-4 sessions of study Georgian alphabet will not be a problem.
Play with Georgian alphabet as if you were a kid
Two main rules here are: relax and believe that it is possible. I know it sounds like a cheap motivation session, but in this case it really works. If you like needlework or you have some spare time, prepare your own exercises in which you’ll look for the letters in the row, building the simple words from syllables or naming the things on the pictures. If you prefer to use already created materials, check out our self-study books.
Make your exercises more difficult with time
You are not learning the alphabet just to study Georgian alphabet. When you remember more or less the shapes of each letter, start learning syllables and then simple words. When you start reading words, the study itself will make more sense. It means that the new symbols will be not only sounds but also carriers of the information. If at the beginning the words are too difficult for you to read, start with dividing them into syllables.
Please remember that it’s better not to drop yourself into the deep end. When you recognize some of the letters, only then start reading syllables and words. Also, it will be much easier for you to start using a printed dictionary. Thanks to this you’ll remember the order of the letters in the alphabet. This is on of the best ways to study Georgian alphabet.
Do not worry about the difficult pronounciacion of Georgian letters
There are some sounds in the Georgian language that may not be so easy to pronounce from the day one of your study. However, there is no need to focus on them too much or to worry about them as the better pronounciacion will come wil time. The more you listen – first the alphabet, then music, films – the better your pronunciation is.
To be completely honest, especially at the beginning the best option is to study with a Georgian teacher. However, if for any reason you do not have such option, just record yourself and compare it with the recordings, for example with the ones in our study-book with which you can study Georgian alphabet. Remember that there is no one who pronounces all the Georgian letters perfectly from the start.