A programme of cultural activities which offers an introduction to the rich local history and traditions of the Aegean. In Greek and English.This programme is free for the students of the Greek Language and Culture Programme (20 hours/ week).
You can also select one or more activities from the Menu below as a tailor-made private programme.
1. Introduction to Greek language –crash course “our roots, our language” This crash course is an entertaining way to start learning Greek. It introduces to the basic vocabulary of every day communication. You will also discover the Greek alphabet and words of Greek root in other languages. Learn how to greet people, introduce yourself and, most importantly, order a drink in a ‘kafeneio’ or ‘taverna’. The teacher starts with greetings and introducing oneself in Greek, and then teaches the alphabet and some useful words of every day communication. She / he uses flash cards in order to make the lesson fun and effective. At the end gives as a present to every learner a card with her/ his own name in Greek.
2. Traditional Greek dance lesson and presentation of Greek dances/ Greek religious festivals
The ‘Zorba dance’ is well-known, but in Greece you’ll discover many other traditional dances, especially when you visit different festivals. The lesson begins with a presentation, and videos, on the most popular dances, their history and their role in people’s everyday lives. Then we learn a few dance steps ourselves.
3. Singing Greek songs and presentation of Greek music
Learning through singing is effective and fun! It helps us to practice our Greek accents, and also to express ourselves and overcome language barriers. After the presentation on Greek musical genres, we learn to sing some songs. For non-Greek speakers, we provide versions in Latin script, as well as translations into English and other languages.
4. Visit to a local farmer and presentation of Santorini products
A walk through the vineyards of Megalochori takes us to a local farm outside the village. There we meet a local farmer who shares the secrets of the Santorini soil on which he grows some of the island’s delicious products.
5. Ceramics lesson and presentation of ceramic art
In ancient times, pottery manufacture was vital to the local economy. Rediscover that creative past and mould your own masterpiece, with the help of award-winning artisan potter Andreas Makaris. The inspirational atmosphere of the potter’s studio will leave you relaxed and invigorated.
6. Guided tour to a winery and wine tasting of three wines
It’s our pleasure to show you a Santorini winery. We visit either Venetsanos, the island’s first winery, or Santo Wines, the biggest winery in the Cyclades, which belongs to the Santorini cooperative. You will sample three wines, and discover the unique aromas of the island’s viticulture. It is an evening of sensory delight.
7. Walking tour in Megalochori
Our walk takes us through the traditional village of Megalochori, one of Santorini’s most beautiful. We learn about its history and culture, and talk to local people for an authentic insight into village life. The walk ends at the caldera, with its breath-taking view of the sunset.
8. Walking tours from Megalochori to Pyrgos or to Emporio
Our route passes through Megalochori and the surrounding vineyards. In one direction lies Pyrgos, the highest village in Santorini, with its beautiful castle. The other way leads to Emporio, also with a medieval castle. These two atmospheric walks avoid the island’s busier roads and are safe for all.
- Students of the Greek Language Programmes participate at no extra cost. Their friends and relatives can choose any activity at a 50% discount.
- Each activity lasts about 2- 2.5 hours. The activities usually start at 19:00 on week-days, but they can be also organized in the morning upon request. Some activities can be moved during Saturday.
- The fees for the activities include: transportation from the HCC in Megalochori, written informational material on the topic, interpretation into Greek-English, and instruction by an educator of the HCC team.
Ifigenia Georgiadou is the Director of the Hellenic Culture Centre, www.hcc.edu.gr and te Director of Studies at the AEOLIS Cultural Development Society of Lesvos Island www.aeolis.edu.gr .
Giota Marre is a graduate of the University of Athens (Faculty of Letters, Dept. of Modern Greek and Byzantine Literature). She has a Diploma in Classical Studies of the University of Thessaloniki.
Giota Bouziou is a graduate of the University of Athens (Faculty of Philosophy). She has an MA in "Education and Human Rights" (University of Athens and University of London).
Σπούδασε Ιστορία και Αρχαιoλογία στην Αθήνα, «Εκπαίδευση και Ανθρώπινα Δικαιώματα» (ΜΑ) στην Αθήνα και στο Πανεπιστήμιο του Λονδίνου και Πολιτισμική Τεχνολογία (ΜΑ) στο Πανεπιστήμιο Αιγαίου.
Απόφοιτος του τμήματος Φιλοσοφικής-Παιδαγωγικής-Ψυχολογίας του Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών με ειδίκευση Φιλοσοφίας. Παρακολούθησε επιμορφωτικά σεμινάρια εξειδίκευσης καθηγητών στην αντιμετώπιση και αποκατάσταση μαθησιακών δυσκολιών παιδιών κι εφήβων καθώς και στη διδασκαλία της ελληνικής ως ξένης/δεύτερης γλώσσας.
Due to COVID-19 crisis the Greek Language and Culture International School in Santorini will only offer private courses together with all relevant cultural activities. Come with your friends and relatives and enjoy exclusive services! One to one Greek Language lessons will be offered throughout 2021 for as many hours as you wish. Create your own flexible programme of Language and Holidays!
ONE-WEEK and TWO-WEEK PROGRAMMES - Dates in 2021:
Easter 2021:
April 26-30/4/2021: Levels Α2-Β1, Β2-C1
May 3-7/5/2021: Levels Α2-Β1, Β2-C1
Summer 2021:
June 14-18/6/2021: Levels A0-Α1, Α2-Β1
June 21-25/6/2021: Levels A0-Α1, Α2-Β1
June 28-June - 2 July 2021 Levels Α2-Β1 , Β2-C1
July 5/7/2021-9/7/2021: Levels Α2-Β1 , Β2-C1
July 12/7/2021-16/7/2021: Levels A0-Α1, Β2-C1
July 19-23/7/2021: Levels A0-Α1, Β2-C1
July 26-30/7/2021: Levels A0-Α1, Β2-C1, Greek Literature for Advanced Students
August 2-6/8/2021: Levels Α2-Β1, Β2-C1, Greek Literature for Advanced Students
August 9-13/8/2021: Greek for Interpreters and Translators
August 16-20/8/2021: Greek for Interpreters and Translators
August 23-27/8/2021: Levels Α2-Β1, Β2-C1, C2
September 30/8/2021-3/9/2021: Levels Α2-Β1, Β2-C1, C2
September 6-10/9/2021: Levels A0-Α1, Α2-Β1, Β2-C1
September 13-17/9/2021: Levels A0-Α1, Α2-Β1, Β2-C1
September 20-24/9/21: Levels A0-Α1, Α2-Β1, Β2-C1
September 27/9/2021- 1 /10/2021: Levels Α2-Β1, Β2-C1, C2
FEES
INTENSIVE GROUP GREEK LANGUAGE COURSES in Santorini Island
Timetable: Monday to Friday 9:00-13:30 or 11:30 to 16:30 (4 hours of language instruction / day)
plus Monday to Friday 18:00 to 20:00 (2 hours of cultural activities*/day)
Total: 30 hours / week
ONE WEEK GROUP COURSE (4-12 students)
TWO WEEKS GROUP COURSE (4-12 students)
THREE WEEKS GROUP COURSE (4-12 students)
FOUR WEEKS GROUP COURSE (4-12 students)
SEMI-PRIVATE COURSE (2-3 students)
PRIVATE COURSE (1 student)
Levels
A0-C2
370€
700€
1000€
1300€
17€ / hour (60 min)
40€ / hour (60 min)
Preparation Courses for the Certificate of Attainment in Greek
370€
700€
1000€
1300€
17€ / hour (60 min)
40€ / hour (60 min)
Greek Literature for Advanced Students
470€
800€
25€ / hour (60 min)
45€ / hour (60 min)
Special Courses
470€
800€
1100€
1300€
25€ / hour (60 min)
45€ / hour (60 min)
1) Fees include:
- All educational materials needed
- 4 hours of Greek Language lesson daily (Monday to Friday). Teaching will be conducted in Greek by communicative (direct) method. Other languages are used if necessary. The lesson includes development of all four language skills, communicative activities, language games, listening comprehension, presentations on Greek culture and students’ projects. Working language: Greek
- 2 hours of cultural activities daily (Monday to Friday). For more information see the Activities' Menu.
- Certificate of attendance, Europass
- Coffee, tea and biscuits provided daily during breaks
- Use of the Internet and the Centre’s small book library and video library
-The Group courses include the everyday Cultural Activities too
-The Private and Semi-Private courses include 6 hours of Cultural Activities
2) Fees do not include:
- Accommodation and meals
- Travel insurance. Students are urged to make arrangements for travel insurance
- Airplane or ferry tickets to/from Santorini
3) If you are registered for an Intensive Greek Language Programme and a group of at least 4 students is not formed at a suitable level, you will be offered EITHER to have less hours of lesson per day OR, alternatively, you can pay the extra fee for 4 hours of lesson per day according to the number of students in the group.
4) The regular duration for the Greek Literature Programme is 2 weeks.
You can attend longer programmes at all levels.
Fees for the Intensive Group Programme: 2 weeks, Mo-Fr: 700 euro (Greek Literature: 800 euro), 3 weeks: 1000 euro, 4 weeks: 1300 euro.
5) Children participating in the course must be accompanied by an adult
6) 1 teaching hour = 60 minutes
7) A deposit must be paid 60 days before the beginning of the course. The deposit is nonrefundable and serves as a cancellation fee. Payments have to be made only after receiving a relevant confirmation letter by the HCC.
PRIVATE COURSES:
Private tailor-made courses are offered all year long in Santorini and in Athens, any time of the day for all levels and Special Courses (Greek Language for Translators and Interpreters, Katharevousa - Formal Greek, Legal Terminology, Greek Literature, Greek for children)
Fees for private courses in Santorini Island:
Language Levels Α0 - C2, Preparation for the Certificate of Attainment in Greek (all levels), Beginners' Crash Course: 40 euro per hour
Special Language Programmes (Greek Language for Translators and Interpreters, Katharevousa -Formal Greek, Legal Terminology, Greek Literature, Greek for children): 45 euro per hour
Ask us for the hourly fees for group courses (4-12 students) or semi-private courses (2-3 students).
Discounts and special offers are available in private courses, depending on the period.
Cultural seminars HCC Santorini – GREEK FOLK DANCE
“When Dancing, the Body writes down on the Earth whatyour Soul wants to say”
GREEK FOLK DANCE WORKSHOP
a 6-day workshop)
Santorini island, Greece
The course includes 40 hours over 6 days. Below is the proposed programme for “When Dancing, the Body writes down on the Earth what your Soul wants to say” Dance workshop . We will publish updates to this programme before the start of the course.
DAY 1: FRIDAY
Participants check into hotel;
Individual orientation;
17:30-22.30 Course welcome and introduction;
Aims and objectives of the course;
Participant Introductions and expectations , ice-breaking activity;
Presentation on Santorini history and culture;
Informal dinner to meet the other participants and course leaders
DAY 2: SATURDAY
10.00- 14.00 Short introduction on Greek dances and dance tradition
Dance course
Lunch & free time
17.00-20.00 walking tour of village;
visit to a local winery and wine tasting
Sunset on the Caldera
DAY 3: SUNDAY
09.30- 13.30 Visit to the Archeological Museum of Fira with the frescos of Akrotiri
Visit to the Akrotiri prehistoric settlement
Lunch & free time
17.00- 20.00 Dance course
DAY 4: MONDAY
9.00 - 14.00 Excursion to Oia Village
14.00-15.00 lunch
16.00-19.00 Dance course
19.30-21.30 visit to a local dance association and dancing with them in a “Glendi”- local fest
DAY 5 : TUESDAY
10.00- 14.00 Dance course
14.00-15.00 Lunch / cooking lesson & free time
17.30-19.30 visit to the Tsambouna Instruments Museum La Ponta
Santorini doesn’t need any special references. It has been ranked as one the ten most beautiful islands in the world, and its volcanic landscape takes your breath away.
Megalochori is 7 km away from Fira, the capital of the island. It has kept its traditional colours and it is one of the few villages that have been declared “traditional settlements”. It is surrounded by vineyards and has many churches famous for their ornate bell towers, white Cycladic houses and narrow streets.
Megalochori is very closed to Pyrgos and Emporeio. All three villages are not very popular touristic sites, they are quiet and peaceful even in August and they offer many options for accommodation and food at lower prices.
You’ll find our school in the second entrance of Megalochori, right across the street from Geromanolis tavern.
After 21 years of teaching Greek as a foreign language, in Ikaria Island, Lesvos Island and Athens, we are now in a new place. Since 2014 the Hellenic Culture Centre has been organizing the International Greek Language and Culture School in Santorini, this beautiful island with its emotive and evocative atmosphere. Our school is based in Megalochori, a traditional village with bright Cycladic colours.
A vivid group of people coming from all over the world speak and express themselves in Greek, they sing, they dance and they participate in the cultural life of the island urged by a deep motive for knowledge, respect and love for the Greek language and culture. The spirit of Greek tradition and the restlessness of modern Greece will come to life with sounds and words expressing universal and timeless values as conceived by the Greek feeling.
WHAT WE OFFER
Intensive 1-week Modern Greek Language Programmes*for non-native speakers (20+7 hours). The 1-week programme runs Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 13:30 or 11:30 to 16:30. The training fee incudes one 7-hour interactive outdoor workshop which takes place every Saturday. In Greek (All teachers speak at least two foreign languages, if needed). Click herefor the start dates, levels and fees.
2-hour Greek Language Crash Course. For visitors of Santorini who wish to have a first contact with the magic of Greek.
Private, tailor-made Greek Language Courses. In Greek(All teachers speak at least two foreign languages, if needed). Click here for the fees for private lessons.
Activities Menu. A tailor-made programme of cultural activities which offers an introduction to the rich local history and traditions of the Aegean. In Greek and English. Students of the Intensive Modern Greek Language Programmes can choose any activitiy at a reduced rate. Scheduled activities take place according to the number of persons interested. Click herefor more information.
*The intensive Greek Language programmes can be extended upon request
Santorini doesn’t need any special references. It has been ranked as one the ten most beautiful islands in the world, and its volcanic landscape takes your breath away.
Megalochori is located 7 km away from Fira, the capital of the island. It has kept its traditional colours and it is one of the few villages that have been declared “traditional settlements”. It is surrounded by vineyards and has many churches famous for their ornate bell towers, white Cycladic houses and narrow streets.
Megalochori is very closed to Pyrgos and Emporeio. All three villages are not very popular touristic sites, they are quiet and peaceful even in August and they offer many options for accommodation and food at lower prices.
You’ll find our school in the second entrance of Megalochori, right across the street from Geromanolis tavern.
ACCOMMODATION
Students and guests stay in hotels and pensions in Megalochori at special reduced rates. Contact us for accommodation list and special prices for our students.
The journey from Piraeus takes 6-8 hours and the tickets start from 37,50 ευρώ. During the summer period there are also fast ferries reaching Santorini in 4-5 hours. In the summer there are also ferries from and to Crete, Rhodes, Thessaloniki and most of the Cyclades.
There are daily several flights from Athens to Santorini all year long. It is a 30 minutes trip. Prices depend on the period and they start from 15 euro. Check regularly for offers from the companies. In the summer there are also charter flights from more than 30 European cities.
