• Volunteers Learning Greek Fast-paced Greek language seminars for volunteers of the European Voluntary Service EU Programme (E.V.S.) as well as for Erasmus students
Preparation for the Exams for the Certificate of Attainment in Greek by the Centre for the Greek Language and the Greek Ministry of Education as well as for other Certificates (OAED, General Secretariat for Adult Education )
The curriculum is divided into seven classes covering all levels (A0, A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2). The curriculum is based on the curriculumof the Centre for Greek Language of the Greek Ministry of Education.
For a detailed syllabus for each level click on the relevant title
A0: Introduction to modern Greek. Basic vocabulary, simple dialogues, reading skills, writing, basic grammar. Textbook: "Ellinika Tora (Greek Now) 1+1"
A1: Building vocabulary, more communicative situations and dialogues, more grammar (nouns, adjectives, plural, simple past, future and subjunctive of basic verbs). Textbook: "Ellinika Tora (Greek Now) 1+1"
A2: Required knowledge: Basic vocabulary and grammar (simple past, future, subjunctive). Ability to create and understand short sentences used in everyday life. Syllabus goals: to enrich vocabulary, improve the ability to express oneself in more complex situations (descriptions, narratives, comparatives, plans for the future etc.). Verbs: active voice (more tenses) and introduction to imperative and passive voice. Textbook: "Ellinika Tora (Greek Now) 1+1"
B1: Required knowledge: Syllabus of A2, basic vocabulary of everyday language. Syllabus goals: teaching the passive voice, pronouns, imperatives, use of subjunctive, narratives, enriching vocabulary (family, work, free time). Normal discussions, debates. Centre's textbook
B2: Required knowledge: formation of verb tenses in active and passive voice, declension of nouns and adjectives in all cases. Syllabus goals: coverage of basic grammar (use of tenses, irregular adjectives and nouns, use of prepositions and conjunctions, compound verbs, participles, conditional clauses), enrichment of vocabulary (language spoken in big cities, idiomatic expressions). Short texts from newspapers. Exercises in the oral language to communicate information, personal views and feelings. Centre's textbook
C1: Required knowledge: Reading comprehension of short newspaper articles. Syllabus goals: to enrich vocabulary (formal letters, essays, expressions, proverbs, special vocabulary). Students work on specific projects and make presentations. Texts from the press and literature. Centre's textbook: KALEIDOSKOPIO C1 (published by the HELLENIC CULTURE CENTRE).
C2: Required knowledge: acquaintance with the language of the press, consolidation of the main morphological structures. Syllabus goals: to enrich specific vocabulary. Elements of "katharevoussa", ancient Greek and some dialects are included. Participation in discussions, the aim being for students to express themselves logically and clearly, and to understand Greek spoken at normal speed. Centre's textbook: KALEIDOSKOPIO C2 (published by the HELLENIC CULTURE CENTRE).
Special courses
Literature: Intended for students with fairly rich vocabulary and a good knowledge of grammar. Teaching material is taken from representative works (prose and poetry) of Greek authors. Syllabus goal: Development of language skills, introduction to Greek literature and acquaintance with different writing styles. Centre's textbook. Every course is designed either on the basis of studying a Greek author or poet or on a special subject, i.e. the Sea in Greek Literature.Students may attend this course for several times, studying different authors and themes
Greek language course for interpreters and translators: for professionals who have completed the basic training and are already very competent in the language, or for those who wish to refresh their knowledge. Goal: enriching vocabulary, getting acquainted with aspects of modern Greece. Studying specific topics, using difficult texts, tapes, CDs and videos. Interpretation and translation techniques are not being taught, the course is a Greek language course at a higher level Students may attend this course for several times, studying different themes. Centre's textbook
Legal terminology course: Intended for translators or interpreters who already use Greek in their work. Goal: learning to differentiate between and to use difficult legal terms plus expressions in "katharevoussa"; Familiarization with the Greek legal and judicial system. Lectures by specialist lawyers. Students will observe a trial. They will also research well-known legal cases, the Greek constitution and Greek laws. They will attend discussions on legal issues. Centre's textbook. Only a part of this course has been integrated into the course Katharevousa and into the Three Month Perfection Programme.
Three month language perfection programme: (12 weeks, 120 hours of lessons including 48 hours of interpreting / translating into student' mother tongue with a Greek teacher or a translator experienced in the student's mother tongue) for professionals who will be working with the language in the near future or for those who wish to refresh their knowledge. Students will attend lectures and public discussions (+60 extra hours). Private and group lessons. Students will also attend advanced courses according to their needs. Centre's textbook
Katharevousa: Intended for professionals who have reached the Proficiency level in Greek/ have already completed our Advanced 2 level and wish to learn past forms of Greek Language. Centre's textbook
Preparation for the exams for the Official Certificate of Attainment in Greek
The Hellenic Culture Centre prepares students for the exams for the Certificate of Attainment in Greek, offered by the Ministry of Education and the Centre for Greek Language. All levels. For further information on the Certificate please visit the website of the Centre for Greek Language http://www.greeklanguage.gr/
-Teacher Training seminars on teaching Greek as a Foreign Language intended for teachers in Greece and abroad -Intercultural Education Workshops intended for Greek language teachers and other educators -Adult Education Workshops intended for trainers and programme organizers
The Hellenic Culture Centre is one of the first educational institutions that organize seminars in teaching Greek as a foreign/second language. The seminars are intended for:
Experienced teachers in Greek as a foreign/second language
Teachers and other agents of the Programme "Teaching Greek to Immigrants, Refugees and Repatriated Greeks" which is being implemented by the Ministry of Labour and the Vocational Training Centres of the whole country
Educators (teachers of Greek and foreign literature, trainers, primary school teachers) without experience in teaching Greek as a foreign/second language
Educators in voluntary programmes for teaching Greek to immigrants/refugees of non governmental organisations
Any educator who believes that his/her sensibility and training in issues of intercultural education are an every day demand in his/her work
Click here for a detailed description of the Syllabus.
Awarded by GINCO-Grundtvig International Network of Course Organizers (Best Practice for Quality Care in 2012)
The 3-day and the 5-day seminars start the same day and finish in different days (Day 3 and Day 5)
2020-2021:
5-day seminar:
23-27 October 2020, Athens
9-13 July 2021, Megalochori, Santorini
3-day seminar:
23-25 October 2020, Athens
9-11 July 2021, Megalochori, Santorini
Working language: Greek and English
SEMINAR PROGRAMME
Day 1 (Friday) - Presentation of the participants and their organizations - Presentation of the seminar’s programme and the trainers (educational contract) - Locating the characteristics, the needs and the expectations of our learners
Day 2 (Saturday) - The adults as learners - Grading tests and curriculum planning - Planning a lesson/ an educational meeting
Day 3 (Sunday) - Teaching a text: Didactic techniques and techniques for assimilating the text - Teaching vocabulary: Didactic techniques and techniques for assimilating the vocabulary - The selection and evaluation of the textbook and the teaching materials
Day 4 (Monday) - Visit to a Greek Language lesson for adults: Observation of the courses’ place, discussion with administration, trainers and students, observation of the lesson
Day 5 (Tuesday)
- Visit to a Greek Language lesson for adults: Observation of the courses’ place, discussion with administration, trainers and students, observation of the lesson
- Reports on the visit: Presentation of participants’ remarks, thoughts and conclusions - Evaluation of the seminar - Goodbye activities - Creating a communication network
Fees Tuition fee: 70 €/ day/ person, which includes tuition and training materials. Organizational costs: 100 €/ person, which includes administration costs, organizational costs and VAT. Special discounts for non Erasmus Plus grant holders.
Learning Outcomes At the end of the seminar, participants are expected to have acquired the skills that will enable them to: - locate and assess the needs and expectations of their language learners - select the didactic techniques for organizing an efficient course - adjust, produce, apply and evaluate the appropriate teaching materials - cooperate with each other and exchange teaching experiences, ideas and materials - become aware of their learners' cultural and educational background and to use their cultural specificities for the needs of the course - cope with different practical problems in their classrooms, through the exchange of experiences and ideas with their colleagues - guide other educators and organize activities related to the target language and culture.
Methodology The course is based on the principles of participatory adult education, by embodying participants' experiences and fostering the exchange of their ideas, proposals and materials. Its focus is not merely on the didactic aspect of teaching but also on the participants' social and cultural knowledge gained through education and teaching to different target groups throughout Europe. During the course, the following techniques will be implemented: working in subgroups and pairs, role play, lectures, guided conversation, brainstorming, language and educational games and experiential activities. The course also includes observation sessions in a Greek Language lesson for adults. During this, participants will have the opportunity to assess the teaching session of Greek in the specific context by applying the techniques of observation, interviewing and group discussion. After its completion, participants will share their learning experience. Participants will also be given hand-outs, original materials, lists of intercultural activities and websites for teaching tools. Taking into consideration that the variety of educational tools and equipment offers to participants the opportunity to enrich their educational experience, within the course there will also be implemented the means of video, audio, objects (realia), diagrams, photos and games-activities.
Preparation Participants will be given information on the subject of teaching languages today in Europe as well as lists for the most recent publications of didactic materials. Before the course, they will be asked to describe the institution they work for and the basic characteristics of their learners and their own professional background. it is also required to bring and present samples of the didactic material they use. Participants will also receive some information for the course group (trainers, organizers and organizing institution, other participants). Organizers will be responsible for sending all the necessary information regarding the venue and the trip. All the above will be communicated via e-mail and Drop Box.
Follow-up Upon completion of the course, participants will be encouraged to form a network which will function as a meeting point. Within this network, they will be able to exchange didactic materials and proposals as well as useful ideas for promoting language learning in different European countries.
THREE MONTHS' PERFECTION PROGRAMME IN MODERN GREEK AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE
180 hours, 12 weeks Cost: 4800 euros (3000 euro per student for groups of 5 students)
Only students of an advanced level of Greek (level: Advanced II) may attend this programme. For more information about the syllabus and the required knowledge of this level, please check with the secretariat or see here
The person responsible for this Programme, which is offered since 1998, is Ms. Ifigenia Georgiadou, director of the Hellenic Culture Centre
Study Programme: - 120 hours of instruction by a Greek language philologist or / and a teacher of the student's mother tongue or by an experienced translator of this language or / and a guest speaker expert (Lawyer, Linguist, Economist, Historian, Social Anthropologist or Sociologist) - 60 hours of attending sessions in the Greek Parliament, lectures, university classes, public discussions, seminars in other organisations.
Fees: The cost of the three months' perfection programme is 4800 euros (3000 euro per student for groups of 5 students). The whole amount must be paid two months before the beginning of the programme. The cancellation fee is 300 euros, which will be deducted by the Centre and used as fees if the student participates in a next programme.
Notes: 1. The course is held in private lessons. 2. Special seminars (Legal Terminology, History, Financial and Economic Terminology, Geography and Katharevousa) or any other part of the Programme can be also attended by students who have registered only for these seminars. In this case all participants are entitled to the congruent fees' discount. 3. In case 5 students want to attend THE ENTIRE Three-Month Perfection Programme DURING THE SAME PERIOD, the fees are reduced to 3000 euro/ student. 4. Students of this programme may participate in other activities organized by the HCC (cultural presentations, interviews, traditional dance courses, excursions etc.), providing that such activities are organized during their course period. 5. This programme can partly take place on the island of Lesvos, in cooperation with the Greek language summer school Aeolis. 6. The courses with the teacher or translator of the student's mother tongue are not translation or interpretation technique courses. They are only Greek language lessons. During the lesson, though, it is possible for the students to practice in translating or interpreting, if they wish so. 7. Attending lectures in other institutions and organization is upon the student's responsibility according to the provided programme. In some cases, students are accompanied by their teacher. 8. This programme is organized upon request during the whole year.
Syllabus (120 hours)
1. Instruction of Greek language (80 hours)
Vocabulary and related cultural material on the following topics: Political system and Political parties, Educational System, Environment, Media, Labour relations, Public health system and Insurance, Safety, hygiene and health at work, the Church and the State, the Language Issue, Social problems, Greek Geography and Products, the Institution of family, Gender equality, Economy, Agriculture, Fisheries, Shipping,Terrorism, Cypriot Question and Cypriot dialect etc.
Political speeches, parliamentary debates and texts on contemporary Greek and international issues will also be examined.
Different forms of language are presented either in "Demotiki" or in "Katharevousa". We focus on frequently made mistakes (in spelling, grammar, syntax, expressions).
Grammar focus: irregular nouns - adjectives - verbs, formation and accentuation of feminine nouns, verbs and their related prepositions, idioms with imperative, prefixes, irregular and ancient participles, use of noun cases, ancient verbs in -ώμαι, -αμαι, -εμαι, adjectives in -ην -ην -εν, -υς -εια -υ, rules on derivatives and compound nouns, abbreviations, verbal aspect, word with same or similar sound, ancient words and phrases used in modern Greek.
The educational material is composed of: lectures and interviews of politicians and experts, articles from the Press, extracts from scientific magazines and special editions, documents, audiovisual material (interviews, documentaries, Parliament debates etc.), grammar and vocabulary exercises, special glossaries and vocabulary lists.
The seminar is held by a philologist. Certain amount of hours, 20 in total, may be also held by a teacher or experienced translator of the students' mother tongue, if the latter is common for all students of the group. Special experts (Lawyer, Linguist, Economist, Historian, Social Anthropologist or Sociologist) teach specialized thematic fields.
2. Legal Terminology Seminar (10 hours)
The following topics are presented: general principles of law - introduction to civil law, Greek judicial system and types of courts, harmonization of Greek legislation in line with the E.U. Treaty, Constitutional law principles - the Greek government, Environmental Law, Internet Law, Personal Data Protection, Copyright Law, etc.
The educational material is composed of: legal documents, law lectures, articles in law magazines, laws and decrees. The educational material is a photocopied edition of H.C.C.
The seminar is held by a specialist lawyer. A language philologist participates in it.
3. Financial and economic terminology seminar (10 hours)
The following topics are presented: introduction to the Capital Market (Stock Exchange of Athens), the greek bank system, the state of the Greek economy. The educational material is composed of: the law for introducing foreign businesses to the Stock Exchange, texts on shares, bonds, mutual capital, types of Stock Exchange and Banking transactions.
The seminar is held by a teacher of economics or a specialist economist. A language philologist participates in it.
4. Contemporary Greek history seminar (10 hours) The following topics are presented: the establishment of the modern Greek State, the Balkan Wars in the early 20th century, the German occupation during the Second World War, the Civil War, the Cypriot problem, the political transition, admission to the E.E.C., Greek - Turkish relations.
The educational material is composed of: articles from the Press of the time or from the contemporary press, texts of the Treaties, lectures by well-known politicians, (written, recorded, video - recorded), material that is being used in state secondary schools.
The seminar is held by a philologist specialized in Greek history or a Historian.
5. Seminar in Katharevousa (10 hours)
The following topics are presented: the history of Katharevousa, the history of the Language Issue, contemporary social issues.
The educational material is composed of: speeches of church notables and of politicians, press articles, legal texts, scientific and administration texts, etc in Katharevousa. Also: expressions in literary Greek, phrases of the Holy Bible, structural figurations of simple Katharevousa.
The seminar is held by a philologist or a linguistics expert.
6. Anthropo-geography seminar (10 hours)
The following topics are presented: Administrative organization, local cultures and "ethnicities", Economy and "specializations" (Raisin, tourism, services), Populations (indigenous, Refugees, Minorities, Immigrants, Memories and Lost Places («The Greek Orient»)
The educational material is composed of:articles from the Press of the time or from the contemporary press,, extracts from cinema, radio and television series lectures by well-known politicians, (written, recorded, video - recorded)
The seminar is offered by an Historian or Social Scientist.
Ταχύρρυθμα Greek language seminars Intended for Volunteers of the European Voluntary Service programme and for Erasmus students
The Hellenic Culture Centre organizes fast-paced seminars for learning Greek intended for volunteers and students coming to Greece in order to offer voluntary service to non governmental organizations (European Voluntary Service -EVS) or to study ( Erasmus University programme).
This programme is specially designed as to cover the basic everyday communicative situations in which the learners will be involved from the very first moment of their life in Greece as well as to get into contact with interesting for young people aspects of the Greek Culture.
With the cooperation of the organizations who have invited the learners to Greece (non profit non governmental organizations and Universities) a special tailor made programme is being created according to the needs and the scientific interests of the students, as well as on the character and the theme of their visit (environment, culture, pedagogy, social support, et al)
The aims of this programme are: • To promote and learn the Greek Language in order to facilitate their life and studies in Greece • To develop intercultural skills for every participant • To get informed about social and educational questions that concern Greek youth today • To meet with Greek students of Higher Education, unions and associations, colleges et al, and to develop friendly relations and projects of cooperation and communication
The Hellenic Culture Centre, with its experienced staff in organizing education and cultural activities, supports the Greek language programme by language teachers specialized in teaching Greek as a foreign language and the intercultural education seminars by facilitators experienced in working with young people. The programme is being organized all year round upon request and contact with groups of volunteers or/ and University students and could be held at the NGO offices as well.
For information please contact the Secretariat (Mo-Fr 10:00-17:00) Ms. Ifigenia Georgiadou, tel. 6944105484, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
According to a circular by the Greek Ministry of Education and Religion, all language teachers of primary and secondary education are entitled to teach Greek as a Foreign/ Second Language. Those teachers, in case they are also specialized in teaching Greek as a foreign language, could work either in private language centres such as the Hellenic Culture Centre or in various Vocational Training Centres, in Second Chance Schools, in Adult Education Centres, in Universities' language classes, or in other language programmes organized by various organizations (Local Authorities, IDEKE, GSAE, OAED, etc).
Many NGOs have contributed in organizing language programmes mainly intended for immigrants and refugees , but a teacher could work there primarily as a volunteer.
For a list in Greek of NGOs offering Greek Language Courses, please click here
