Intended for

The Book Clubs “Ana-gnostes” is addressed to students of intermediate and advanced level of Greek studies B1, B2, C1, C2. Students at level C1 and C2 have already started reading some Greek books. With levels B1 and B2 we will read detective stories or books for adolescents, in simple language, but always carefully selected, as well as simplified Greek literature. It is not necessary to have participated in a Book Club in the past, or to know how to “analyze” literature: we will not do that, we will enjoy the text and we will illuminate it as we want!

Our motto is: “What matters is what speaks to our soul and what we like.”

*Centre’s learning materials used.

Methodology

What are we going to do?

Every two months or so we will try to read a book of Greek literature that we and you will recommend. We will enter with our code in the electronic platform of the CENTER OF GREEK CULTURE and:

• we will read additional information, interviews and reviews published about the author and the book
• we will watch relevant videos
• we will exchange views and book reviews in the Forum
• We will also write on ideas for creative writing

Once a week, some nights preferably or even on the weekend (depending on the availability of the teacher and students), we will meet for 1.5 hours via Skype, to talk in a live meeting with the members of the Club and the Club coordinator, Rania

What will we not do?

• We will not teach Greek. For this there are other courses for intermediate and advanced students.
• We will not organise a literary translation workshop into the languages ​​of the club members; howver, if members want, they could have special meetings with the coordinator or other philologists of the CENTER OF HELLENIC CULTURE at an additional cost
• We will not do a complete creative writing workshop. This is in our future plans.

What else;

The platform will also publish new book reviews, short literary excerpts in written and audio text, lists of useful expressions found in books, links on the internet and many other relevant materials and texts.

From time to time we will organise competitions for the members of the Club to have some prizes! Sometimes we will also read poetry (and listen to poems that became songs) as well as foreign literature translated into Greek literature. It all depends on our different preferences!

Our plans include a Book Club for Teenagers who speak Greek as a second or foreign language.

Where are the courses held?

Online courses are held on the Hellenic Culture Centre’s E-learning platform and include a one and a half hour session with your teacher on Skype.

Face-to-face courses can be held at a student’s home or workplace or hotel in Athens or on Santorini. Courses are also held at the Hellenic Culture Centre in Santorini throughout the year.

Are there any private lessons?

Private/one-to-one lessons based on the personal programme created for each individual student are available.

THE EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL

It consists of authentic or simplified texts of Greek literature, depending on your level in Greek. The meeting is supported by relevant audio CDs, videos.

The textbook is a photocopied edition by the Hellenic Culture Centre.

GENERAL NOTES

Attention: the meetings are not Literature or Creative Writing courses but only readers’ meetings.

Requirements

No special technical knowledge on technology.  However, a 15-minute introductory session is offered for free, if needed, to help students to familiarize themselves with the use of the platform and Skype. Students are required to have a good Internet connection and a headset with a microphone.

Before registering, students must do a grading test to enable tutors to ascertain their language level and educational needs. Ask us to guide you to the test suitable for you. You may also do the test orally, via Skype. The Director of the Hellenic Culture Centre will call you in order to assess your language level and design your learning pathway, according to your learning objectives.

Content

In the first meeting of the Club all members will be introduced, the rules of cooperation will be discussed, you will be guided to the special platform we have prepared for the Book Clubs (we have four Clubs, depending on the level) and you will set the goals of the group, for the next two months. At the first meeting the facilitator will suggest a book that is available in printed and electronic form, so you can get it right away and start reading. The second meeting will take place on the day the group decides (it can be done every week) and we will discuss the book we all started reading together.

Then the participants will suggest a book of their choice and we will have time to order it at the bookstore in our neighborhood or at an online Greek bookstore etc.

Fees 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF REGISTRATION

• All educational materials for this online course will be provided by the tutors online. Students do not need to buy the books.
• Online group and semi-private courses are 8 weeks long (one learning cycle).
• The platform will remain open for the students who would like to submit their assignments and complete all the activities for 10 (ten) days after the end of the Skype lessons, at no extra cost.
• The programme of lessons agreed has to be completed within one year after the first registration.
• A Certificate of Attendance is issued for all students who will participate based on the hours they will have attended multiplied by 3, as the online learning takes more time for a student to study.

FORMING

• GROUP course: The school is entitled to add up to 8 students to a GROUP course
• GROUP course: In case one or more students drop out a GROUP course, the fees will be adapted accordingly (up to 2 or 3 students 20 euro/ hour/each as a SEMI-PRIVATE, and 1 student 39 euro/hour/ each as a PRIVATE course).
• SEMI-PRIVATE course: In case a student drops out of a SEMI-PRIVATE course of 3 students, the other two students will continue their course at the same fee for the current learning cycle (20 euro/hour) and maybe a third student of the same level will be added later
• SEMI-PRIVATE course: In case a student drops out of a SEMI-PRIVATE course of 2 students, the student who remains will continue their course at the PRIVATE fee (39 euro)
• PRIVATE course: In case the school adds a second or/and a third student to a PRIVATE course (after consulting with the student), the fee will be 20 euro per person

CANCELLATION

See our CANCELLATION POLICY

PAYMENT

• The SEMI-PRIVATE & GROUP course should be paid in advance for 8 weeks
• The PRIVATE course should be paid in advance for at least 5 lessons

Tutors 

All language teachers at the Hellenic Culture Centre are certified and experienced in teaching Greek as a second/ foreign language to adults and adolescents. They also have training and experience in online teaching and they are native speakers of Greek. You can see their CVs here.

Dates 

Start dates for the 8-week cycle GROUP courses for the 2024-2027

Online courses are offered throughout the year 7 days/ week, from 07.00 to 24.00 Greek time. Please contact us for information about private and semi-private courses.

We suggest 2 hours/week for levels A0- B2, and 1 hour/week for levels C1-C2+ and special courses. 

A teaching hour lasts 60 minutes.

The weekly schedule of the group and semi-private courses are arranged after consultation with the group.

Certification

The HELLENIC CULTURE CENTRE issues a Certificate of Attendance for the lessons held. The Hellenic Culture Centre is an officially recognized organization as a Lifelong Learning Centre and a language school by the Greek Ministry of Education and Religions (EOPPEP code number 2101782/ 2018 and 2308668/2018).

Working language

Greek is the working language in the Greek courses. All teachers can speak at least one foreign language including English.

Cancellation Policy

• GROUP lessons and SEMI-PRIVATE lessons cannot be cancelled (if the student does not attend a scheduled meeting, they pay 100% of the lesson fees if the lesson takes place)
• A student can cancel a scheduled PRIVATE lesson more than 6 hours before and pay no fees
• In case a student cancels a scheduled PRIVATE lesson 6 to 3 hours before, they pay 50% of the lesson fees
• In case a student cancels a scheduled PRIVATE lesson 3 to 1 hour before the scheduled time, they pay 100% of the lesson fees
• Α lesson should be transferred within the current week from the cancellation of it and no later than the next Sunday, provided that the teacher is available and that the next lesson should be held as scheduled.
• Full refunds will be given up until the last day to register for the programme (2 weeks before the beginning of the course) 
• For late cancellations of PRIVATE courses there will be no refund. However, the student is entitled to re-register within one year’s time. In that case the student pays the extra cost, if any 
• When students are given refunds the bank charges are payable by them. In case the course is cancelled by the Centre, full refund will be given to the student at no extra charge

Next steps – the registration process

1. Fill out the application form here
2. Receive more information about the courses from us, along with a more detailed application form
3. Send us the completed detailed registration form. Do not forget to write down your availability hours for the courses.
4. You receive information about the hours and days of your lesson, the teacher as well as the paying details 
5. You send us the proof of deposit of the tuition
6. You receive from us the passwords to the platform as well as the contact details of your teacher
7. You start the lesson!

NOTES:

1. To find out your level in Greek, it would be good to do one of the grading tests that you can find above, in the Grading Test button. Keep in mind that it is best to print it out and write it by hand, without seeking any help. The test is gradually becoming more difficult. So, you do not have to finish it. Then scan it and send it to us, so we can suggest you the best course option that suits your level.

2. To identify your level as well as to create your personal Learning Path, make an appointment with the Director of the Centre, Mrs. Ifigenia Georgiadou ifigenia@hcc.edu.gr here 

3. You will only pay after we find the right day and time for your lesson.