Book Clubs in Greek

  • Get to know the great Greek writers

  • Develop your Greek while enjoying literature

  • Advance your reading skills through studying original literature works

  • Take the chance to enjoy Greek literature through carefully selected simplified or original texts (depending on your level in Greek)

  • Be the first among your friends to know by heart a Greek poem!


Book Clubs in Greek

  • Get to know the great Greek writers

  • Develop your Greek while enjoying literature

  • Advance your reading skills through studying original literature works

  • Take the chance to enjoy Greek literature through carefully selected simplified or original texts (depending on your level in Greek)

  • Be the first among your friends to know by heart a Greek poem!


What you’ll learn:

  • To enjoy Greek literature in its original form
  • Τo become acquainted with modern Greek writers
  • Τo study Greek poetry in Greek
  • Τo learn who’s who in Greek literature
  • Τo widen your vocabulary
  • Τo write your own critics in Greek

Requirements

  • Requirements for all online courses
  • Good internet connection
  • A headset with microphone
  • A Skype account
  • Speakers are recommended
  • Willingness and patience to learn
  • Try to practise what you have learned

What you’ll learn:

  • To enjoy Greek literature in its original form
  • Τo become acquainted with modern Greek writers
  • Τo study Greek poetry in Greek
  • Τo learn who’s who in Greek literature
  • Τo widen your vocabulary
  • Τo write your own critics in Greek

Course Details

Overview

The Book Clubs for those who learn Greek is an initiative of the HELLENIC  CULTURE CENTRE, based on an idea of ​​Rania Kyrkindanou, in order to enjoy the Greek language through literature. Isn’t that one of the goals of every foreign language learner? Enjoy the books of Greek literature, talk about them, write if you want to be creative and communicate with readers from all over the world, who share your passion for the Greek language!

Our aim is:

  • to enjoy reading important works of the Greek literature
  • to get to know the Greek language better through the ark of its literary production
  • to get acquainted with the way of life and thinking of the Greeks and to get to know Greece better
  • to get to know different genres of Greek literary production (short story, novel, theatrical play, poetry, fairy tale, essay, even comics)
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 TEAMS, 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; however, 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 TEAMS.

Face-to-face courses can be held at a student’s home or workplace or hotel in Athens. Courses are also held at the Hellenic Culture Centre in Athens 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 TEAMS. 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 TEAMS. 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 
Course Price/hour

Group

(4-8 students)

15€ /student 

Semi-private   

(2-3 students)

23€ /student 

     Semi-private 2 Closed

(2 students only)

30€ /student 

Private 

(one-to-one)

55€ /student 

 

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 TEAMS lessons, at no extra cost.
  • The programme of lessons agreed has to be completed within one year after the first registration.
  • 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 23 euro/ hour/each as a SEMI-PRIVATE, and 1 student 55 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 (23 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 (55 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 23 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 2026-2028

Cycle From To
1 04/05/2026 28/06/2026
2 29/06/2026 23/08/2026
3 24/08/2026 18/10/2026
4 19/10/2026 13/12/2026
2027    
5

14/12/2026

(Christmas Break 24/12/2026 – 06/01/2027)

21/02/2027
6 22/02/2027 18/04/2027
7

19/04/2027

(Easter Break 28/04/2027 – 03/05/2027)

20/06/2027
8 21/06/2027 15/08/2027
9 16/08/2027 03/10/2027
10 04/10/2027 28/11/2027
2028    
11

29/11/2027

(Christmas Break 24/12/2027 – 06/01/2028)

06/02/2028
12 07/02/2028 02/04/2028
13

03/04/2028

(Easter Break 12/04/2028 – 17/04/2028

04/06/2028
14 05/06/2028 30/07/2028
15 31/07/2028 24/09/2028
 

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 for online courses
  • GROUP lessons and SEMI-PRIVATE lessons cannot be cancelled (if the students do not attend a scheduled meeting, they pay 100% of the lesson fee) as the teacher has to be paid. The lesson is held even with one of the students. Students can watch the video of the lesson, IF it is available on that day (there may always occur any technical problems).
  • If a GROUP or SEMI-PRIVATE lesson does not take place because of the absence of all students, they all pay 50% of the fees, and the teacher is paid 50%.
  • A student can cancel a scheduled PRIVATE lesson more than 6 hours before by emailing the secretariat AND to the teacher and pay no fees
  • In case a student cancels a scheduled PRIVATE lesson 6 to 3 hours before by emailing the secretariat AND the teacher, 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
  • Full refunds will be given up until the last day to register in a PRIVATE course for the programme (2 weeks before the beginning of the course)
  • For late cancellations of a programme of PRIVATE courses, there will be no refund. However, the student is entitled to re-register within one year’s time for the relevant course. In that case, the student pays the extra cost, if any
  • When students are given refunds, the bank charges are paid by them. In case the course is cancelled by the Centre, a full refund will be given to the student at no extra charge.


Cancellation
 policy for the face-to-face courses.

    • GROUP lessons and SEMI-PRIVATE lessons cannot be cancelled if the students do not attend a scheduled meeting; they pay 100% of the lesson fee as the teacher has to be paid. The lesson is held even if one of the students is present.
    • If a GROUP or SEMI-PRIVATE lesson does not take place due to the absence of all students without prior notice, all students pay 50% of the fees, and the teacher receives 50%.
    • In case a group of students  (after a consensus among all of them) cancels a scheduled GROUP or SEMI-PRIVATE lesson  12 to 6 hours before by emailing the secretariat AND the teacher, they pay 30% of the lesson fees.
    • Students as a group (after a consensus among all of them) can cancel a scheduled  GROUP or SEMI-PRIVATE lesson more than 24 hours before by emailing the secretariat AND the teacher and pay no fees. 
    • Full refunds will be given up until the last day to register in a face-to-face course for the programme (2 months before the beginning of the course)
    • In case a student cancels a scheduled  PRIVATE lesson  24 hours before by emailing the secretariat AND the teacher, they pay no fees.
    • In case a student cancels a scheduled  PRIVATE lesson  12 to 6 hours before by emailing the secretariat AND the teacher, they pay 30% of the lesson fees.
    • When students are given refunds, the bank charges are paid by them. In case the course is cancelled by the Centre, a 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.

The Book Clubs for those who learn Greek is an initiative of the HELLENIC  CULTURE CENTRE, based on an idea of ​​Rania Kyrkindanou, in order to enjoy the Greek language through literature. Isn’t that one of the goals of every foreign language learner? Enjoy the books of Greek literature, talk about them, write if you want to be creative and communicate with readers from all over the world, who share your passion for the Greek language!

Our aim is:

  • to enjoy reading important works of the Greek literature
  • to get to know the Greek language better through the ark of its literary production
  • to get acquainted with the way of life and thinking of the Greeks and to get to know Greece better
  • to get to know different genres of Greek literary production (short story, novel, theatrical play, poetry, fairy tale, essay, even comics)

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.

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 TEAMS, 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 TEAMS.

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

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.

Course Price/hour

Group

(4-8 students)

15€ /student

Semi-private   

(2-3 students)

23€ /student

     Semi-private 2 Closed

(2 students only)

30€ /student 

Private 

(one-to-one)

55€ /student 

 

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 TEAMS lessons, at no extra cost.
  • The programme of lessons agreed has to be completed within one year after the first registration.
  • 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 23 euro/ hour/each as a SEMI-PRIVATE, and 1 student 55 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 (23 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 (55 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 23 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

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 2026-2028

Cycle From To
1 04/05/2026 28/06/2026
2 29/06/2026 23/08/2026
3 24/08/2026 18/10/2026
4 19/10/2026 13/12/2026
2027    
5

14/12/2026

(Christmas Break 24/12/2026 – 06/01/2027)

21/02/2027
6 22/02/2027 18/04/2027
7

19/04/2027

(Easter Break 28/04/2027 – 03/05/2027)

20/06/2027
8 21/06/2027 15/08/2027
9 16/08/2027 03/10/2027
10 04/10/2027 28/11/2027
2028    
11

29/11/2027

(Christmas Break 24/12/2027 – 06/01/2028)

06/02/2028
12 07/02/2028 02/04/2028
13

03/04/2028

(Easter Break 12/04/2028 – 17/04/2028

04/06/2028
14 05/06/2028 30/07/2028
15 31/07/2028 24/09/2028
 

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.

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).

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

Cancellation Policy for online courses
  • GROUP lessons and SEMI-PRIVATE lessons cannot be cancelled (if the students do not attend a scheduled meeting, they pay 100% of the lesson fee) as the teacher has to be paid. The lesson is held even with one of the students. Students can watch the video of the lesson, IF it is available on that day (there may always occur any technical problems).
  • If a GROUP or SEMI-PRIVATE lesson does not take place because of the absence of all students, they all pay 50% of the fees, and the teacher is paid 50%.
  • A student can cancel a scheduled PRIVATE lesson more than 6 hours before by emailing the secretariat AND to the teacher and pay no fees
  • In case a student cancels a scheduled PRIVATE lesson 6 to 3 hours before by emailing the secretariat AND the teacher, 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
  • Full refunds will be given up until the last day to register in a PRIVATE course for the programme (2 weeks before the beginning of the course)
  • For late cancellations of a programme of PRIVATE courses, there will be no refund. However, the student is entitled to re-register within one year’s time for the relevant course. In that case, the student pays the extra cost, if any
  • When students are given refunds, the bank charges are paid by them. In case the course is cancelled by the Centre, a full refund will be given to the student at no extra charge.


Cancellation
 policy for the face-to-face courses.

    • GROUP lessons and SEMI-PRIVATE lessons cannot be cancelled if the students do not attend a scheduled meeting; they pay 100% of the lesson fee as the teacher has to be paid. The lesson is held even if one of the students is present.
    • If a GROUP or SEMI-PRIVATE lesson does not take place due to the absence of all students without prior notice, all students pay 50% of the fees, and the teacher receives 50%.
    • In case a group of students  (after a consensus among all of them) cancels a scheduled GROUP or SEMI-PRIVATE lesson  12 to 6 hours before by emailing the secretariat AND the teacher, they pay 30% of the lesson fees.
    • Students as a group (after a consensus among all of them) can cancel a scheduled  GROUP or SEMI-PRIVATE lesson more than 24 hours before by emailing the secretariat AND the teacher and pay no fees. 
    • Full refunds will be given up until the last day to register in a face-to-face course for the programme (2 months before the beginning of the course)
    • In case a student cancels a scheduled  PRIVATE lesson  24 hours before by emailing the secretariat AND the teacher, they pay no fees.
    • In case a student cancels a scheduled  PRIVATE lesson  12 to 6 hours before by emailing the secretariat AND the teacher, they pay 30% of the lesson fees.
    • When students are given refunds, the bank charges are paid by them. In case the course is cancelled by the Centre, a full refund will be given to the student at no extra charge.
  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.

Requirements

  • Requirements for all online courses
  • Good internet connection
  • A headset with microphone
  • A Skype account
  • Speakers are recommended
  • Willingness and patience to learn
  • Try to practise what you have learned