From learning Greek from scratch to A2 level in six months.
Meet Andrey Kirkkonen, a LiveXP student who, in six months, accomplished a real language feat - he learned Greek from scratch to A2 level.
Greek language - the path to Cypriot citizenship 🇨🇾
In December 2023, Cyprus changed the rules for obtaining citizenship through an amendment to the Civil Registry Law (
Civil Registers Amendment Love
). Now knowledge of the Greek language has become the key to significantly reducing the waiting time for the coveted passport.
We talked with Andrey Kirkkonen, a LiveXP student who, in six months, accomplished a real language feat - he learned Greek from scratch to A2 level. How did he do it? Let's find out!
The new amendment to the Civil Registry Law has created an effective approach for those who speak Greek. So what has changed?
If you can speak Greek at A2 level (which is a fairly basic level), you can apply after 5 years of residence in Cyprus. If you are at a more advanced level and can communicate at B1 level, you only have to wait 4 years!
Previously, citizenship required 7 years of continuous residence without any language requirements, and for some this period increased to 8 years due to time spent outside the country. It is not surprising that after such news, expats rushed to storm language courses and consult with lawyers.
Main challenge: learning Greek
In a conversation with LiveXP, Andrey said that he started his “Greek marathon” in May 2023, about five months before the official amendment. “I started with Duolingo, just for fun,” he says. This approach provided a good foundation of vocabulary, which made reading and listening much easier.
“When I learned about changes in the law, I realized it was time to get down to business seriously.” The main problem was the tight deadlines. “I only had six months to reach level A2,” recalls Andrey. I had to follow the plan: daily lessons on the LiveXP platform to improve speaking and pronunciation, with a special focus on speaking practice and understanding the culture, plus independent work. Total - 7 hours of Greek per week.
“Speaking and writing were the most difficult,” admits Kirkonen. “But it was easier to read and listen.” I especially struggled with spelling - there were many ways to write the letter “I” in Greek.
Preparing for the Greek language exam: everything you need to know
To pass the Cypriot citizenship exam, you must answer at least 60% of the questions correctly. This exam assesses your knowledge of the contemporary political and social realities of Cyprus and consists of two main parts:
First step: written test in Nicosia Read the text and answer the associated questions. Listening (choosing answers based on listened dialogues). Writing (writing two short essays).
For the written part, Kirkkonen mainly used an A1 level Greek textbook, which was sufficient to achieve A2 level. In preparation, I wrote a bunch of mini-essays about travel, shopping, food - in general, about everything in the world.
The written exam takes place in Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus, with students taking the test at various locations throughout the city. Nicosia is turning into an examination center where different people take the exam in several designated places - schools, academies and universities. Students are assigned to specific classrooms where they simultaneously write a test. This process is similar to international exams such as IELTS or TOEFL.
Oral part of the Greek exam Assessment of speaking skills
The oral part is generally considered more difficult and less predictable. And here’s what’s interesting: you never know exactly when they’ll call you - maybe the next day after the letter, or maybe two weeks later. A later date for the oral exam has the advantage of allowing for additional preparation - candidates can learn about potential topics from discussions in various chat rooms.
There are about 20 different topics that you might be asked about, so you need to be prepared to discuss them. Before the oral portion of the exam, Kirkkonen took intensive Greek classes on LiveXP to sharpen his speaking skills, which was one of the challenging aspects.
After the language test, another surprise awaits you - an exam on knowledge of the culture and history of Cyprus. And also in Greek! But don’t be alarmed: according to Andrey, 15-20 minutes of daily practice is enough to prepare.
LiveXP: your guide to the world of learning Greek from scratch
LiveXP turned out to be a great learning assistant. Andrey noted the user-friendly interface of the platform as a key advantage in the learning process. “The platform has simplified the process of finding suitable teachers and managing payment for lessons through a subscription model,” he explained. The lessons cost approximately 13 euros each, which Kirkkonen considered a worthwhile investment towards citizenship.
Now Andrey continues to study, preparing for his citizenship interview. His main advice: “Start learning Greek immediately after moving to Cyprus. Combine Vocabulary Trainer (or Duolingo), textbooks and live lessons with tutors on LiveXP.”
Kirkkonen’s story shows that, if desired, it is quite possible to learn Greek to the required level in six months and speed up the acquisition of citizenship. The main thing is to start! Who knows, maybe you will be surprised how quickly you will master the language. Kalí týchi! (that's Greek for "Good luck!")
Results of a successful history of learning Greek Start preparing for the exam a few months in advance. If you are familiar with the basics, start three months in advance; if not, give yourself six months.
Create a comprehensive strategy that covers both the oral and written portions. Find a balance between classes with a Greek tutor (available on LiveXP) and self-study, setting clear time limits for each lesson. Try to devote 1-2 hours to studying the material every day. This approach allows you to gradually absorb information and helps you maintain concentration. Seek regular feedback from faculty to identify areas for improvement.
On the day of the exam: Arrive at registration 30-40 minutes before the start of the exam and do not forget to bring all the necessary documents, including your passport.
Results are usually known within a couple of weeks. Successful applicants receive the certificate necessary to apply for citizenship through naturalization.
If it doesn't work out the first time, don't despair. Prepare again and retake. Everything will work out!
