Teaching Greek as a Foreign Language

  • Enhance the group dynamics and strengthen your students’ relations
  • Organize an efficient course by selecting the appropriate didactic techniques
  • Cope with mixed ability classes
  • Exchange teaching experiences, ideas and materials with experienced colleagues
  • Integrate in your courses the most suitable cultural materials
  • Learn how to cope with different practical problems in your classrooms

Teaching Greek as a Foreign Language

  • Enhance the group dynamics and strengthen your students’ relations
  • Organize an efficient course by selecting the appropriate didactic techniques
  • Cope with mixed ability classes
  • Exchange teaching experiences, ideas and materials with experienced colleagues
  • Integrate in your courses the most suitable cultural materials
  • Learn how to cope with different practical problems in your classrooms

In this teacher training course you will learn:

  • To pay attention to group dynamics
  • To cope with mixed ability classes
  • To integrate in your courses different cultural materials
  • To select didactic techniques for organizing an efficient course

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

Course Details

Overview 

This course deals with more specific aspects of teaching Greek as L2: the ice breaking activities, the warm-up, the group dynamics, the mixed ability classes, the advanced students, the cultural aspects of a lesson, as well as observation of a Greek language lesson. At the end of the course, participants are expected to have acquired the skills that will enable them to:

  • Prepare and carefully select activities for group dynamics
  • Select didactic techniques for organizing an efficient course
  • Cope with mixed ability classes
  • Cooperate with each other and exchange teaching experiences, ideas and materials
  • Integrate in their courses different cultural materials
  • Cope with different practical problems in their classrooms, through the exchange of experiences and ideas with their colleagues
Intended for 
  • Greek Language teachers with no or little language teaching experience
  • Practitioners who have experience in teaching Greek  in non-formal contexts, i.e. NGOs or wishing to teach a language they know or Greek as L2
  • Experienced language teachers of Greek who feel they need to upgrade their practical skills
  • Directors of language schools who plan to add Greek as L2 and design curricula for different learners’ groups
  • Other educational or managerial staff, of language organisations, assistant or shadow teachers
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 adults 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 face to face or video recorded 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 and for promoting Greek language and culture. 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 official examinations for the certificate of attainment in Greek and on the institutional framework of the non-formal education for non-Greek students. They will also receive articles on the subject of teaching Greek as a foreign language to adults 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 about 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 Greek language and culture in different European countries.

Content

  • Presentation of the participants and their organizations
  • Presentation of the course programme and the trainers (educational contract)
  • The ice breaking activities (part 1)

  • The first day: the educational contract, the ice breaking activities (part 2)
  • The group dynamics: the roles of the students and the roles of the teacher
  • Introducing a new thematic unit/ didactic subject

  • The mixed ability class as a problem and as a challenge: Classrooms of mixed abilities, teaching techniques in mixed ability classes
  • Teaching students of an advanced level in Greek: the characteristics of advanced students
  • Cultural elements in the lesson: The selection and use of cultural materials, the utilization of intercultural elements, the production of new educational materials

  • Visit to a Greek Language lesson for adults: Observation of the courses’ place, discussion with administration, trainers and students, observation of a face to face or video-recorded lesson

  • Visit to a Greek Language lesson for adults: Observation of the courses’ place, discussion with administration, trainers and students, observation of a face to face or video-recorded lesson
  • Reports on the visit: Presentation of participants’ remarks, thoughts and conclusions
  • Evaluation of the course – Farewell activities – Creating a communication network

Fees

The fees for the Teaching Greek as a Foreign Language course are 500€. Registrations close 40 days before the beginning of the course. Fees must be paid in advance by the deadline for registrations.

ΑΤΤΕΝΤΙΟΝ!

Participation fees for the face-to-face course can be supported by a grant by Erasmus+ Key Action 1 Mobility programme. Participants apply through a sending organisation, active in the field of adult education. Erasmus+ covers the training fees as well as the mobility expenses (international travel, subsistence costs and special needs requirements). Hellenic Culture Centre can work with the sending organisations to provide guidance on completing and applying to the respective Erasmus+ National Agency. We will also support you in monitoring the course and reporting back to your National Agency. Cancellation Fees for the online and face-to-face course are fully refundable if you cancel before the registration deadlines (20 days and 40 days before the beginning of the course respectively). Late registrations cannot be accepted and the fees are not refundable. However, you may use half of your fees to register for any teacher training course at the Hellenic Culture Centre within one year.

Trainers

Ifigenia Georgiadou, MA, Director of the Hellenic Culture Centre, Teacher Trainer,  35 years’ experience in teaching, external expert – evaluator at the National Organization for Certification of Qualifications & Vocational Guidance (EOPPEP), at the State Scholarship Foundation (IKY) and the Institute for Lifelong Learning (INEDIVIM), author of the books “Play & Laugh- Language Games for Teaching Greek as a Foreign Language”, Kaleidoscope -textbook series for learning Greek, EUROLTA Master Trainer (Certified Instructor of Teacher Trainers).

Nikos Konstantopoulos, MA, adult educator, responsible for distance education at the Hellenic Culture Centre, 20 years’ experience in teaching and material production, EUROLTA Teacher Trainer (Certified Instructor of Teachers and adult educators), trainer in Greek sign language

Dates

The Teaching Greek as a foreign Language face-to-face course takes place either in Santorini, Greece. The daily schedule is from 09.00-16.00 and 18.00-20.00 for educational and cultural activities. Upcoming dates for the next face-to-face course: 10 March -14 March 2025 in Santorini, Greece.

Dates

The Teaching Greek as a foreign Language face-to-face course takes place either in Santorini, Greece. The daily schedule is from 09.00-16.00 and 18.00-20.00 for educational and cultural activities. Upcoming dates for the next face-to-face course: 10 March -14 March 2025 in Santorini, Greece.

Certification 

Our Centre issues a Certificate of Attendance for the teacher training courses held, to be submitted to private or public organisations and calls. The Hellenic Culture Centre is an officially recognized 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 this course

CANCELATION POLICY
  • Fees are fully refundable for cancellations by registration deadline (at least 20 days before the beginning of the online course or 40 days before the beginning of the face-to-face course)
  • For late cancellations (after the registration deadlines) fees are not refundable. However
    • 50% of the deposited fees can be used for  registration in any other teacher training course of  the Hellenic Culture Centre within one year’s time
    • 50% of deposited fees are not refundable

Please consult the Secretariat.

This course deals with more specific aspects of teaching Greek as L2: the ice breaking activities, the warm-up, the group dynamics, the mixed ability classes, the advanced students, the cultural aspects of a lesson, as well as observation of a Greek language lesson. At the end of the course, participants are expected to have acquired the skills that will enable them to:

  • Prepare and carefully select activities for group dynamics
  • Select didactic techniques for organizing an efficient course
  • Cope with mixed ability classes
  • Cooperate with each other and exchange teaching experiences, ideas and materials
  • Integrate in their courses different cultural materials
  • Cope with different practical problems in their classrooms, through the exchange of experiences and ideas with their colleagues

  • Greek Language teachers with no or little language teaching experience
  • Practitioners who have experience in teaching Greek  in non-formal contexts, i.e. NGOs or wishing to teach a language they know or Greek as L2
  • Experienced language teachers of Greek who feel they need to upgrade their practical skills
  • Directors of language schools who plan to add Greek as L2 and design curricula for different learners’ groups
  • Other educational or managerial staff, of language organisations, assistant or shadow teachers

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 adults 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 face to face or video recorded 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 and for promoting Greek language and culture. 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 official examinations for the certificate of attainment in Greek and on the institutional framework of the non-formal education for non-Greek students. They will also receive articles on the subject of teaching Greek as a foreign language to adults 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 about 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 Greek language and culture in different European countries.

Day 1 

  • Presentation of the participants and their organizations
  • Presentation of the course programme and the trainers (educational contract)
  • The ice breaking activities (part 1)

Day 2

  • The first day: the educational contract, the ice breaking activities (part 2)
  • The group dynamics: the roles of the students and the roles of the teacher
  • Introducing a new thematic unit/ didactic subject

Day 3 

  • The mixed ability class as a problem and as a challenge: Classrooms of mixed abilities, teaching techniques in mixed ability classes
  • Teaching students of an advanced level in Greek: the characteristics of advanced students
  • Cultural elements in the lesson: The selection and use of cultural materials, the utilization of intercultural elements, the production of new educational materials

Day 4

  • Visit to a Greek Language lesson for adults: Observation of the courses’ place, discussion with administration, trainers and students, observation of a face to face or video-recorded lesson

Day 5 

  • Visit to a Greek Language lesson for adults: Observation of the courses’ place, discussion with administration, trainers and students, observation of a face to face or video-recorded lesson
  • Reports on the visit: Presentation of participants’ remarks, thoughts and conclusions
  • Evaluation of the course – Farewell activities – Creating a communication network

Fees

The fees for the Teaching Greek as a Foreign Language course are 500€. Registrations close 40 days before the beginning of the course. Fees must be paid in advance by the deadline for registrations.

ΑΤΤΕΝΤΙΟΝ!

Participation fees for the face-to-face course can be supported by a grant by Erasmus+ Key Action 1 Mobility programme. Participants apply through a sending organisation, active in the field of adult education. Erasmus+ covers the training fees as well as the mobility expenses (international travel, subsistence costs and special needs requirements). Hellenic Culture Centre can work with the sending organisations to provide guidance on completing and applying to the respective Erasmus+ National Agency. We will also support you in monitoring the course and reporting back to your National Agency. Cancellation Fees for the online and face-to-face course are fully refundable if you cancel before the registration deadlines (20 days and 40 days before the beginning of the course respectively). Late registrations cannot be accepted and the fees are not refundable. However, you may use half of your fees to register for any teacher training course at the Hellenic Culture Centre within one year.

Ifigenia Georgiadou, MA, Director of the Hellenic Culture Centre, Teacher Trainer,  35 years’ experience in teaching, external expert – evaluator at the National Organization for Certification of Qualifications & Vocational Guidance (EOPPEP), at the State Scholarship Foundation (IKY) and the Institute for Lifelong Learning (INEDIVIM), author of the books “Play & Laugh- Language Games for Teaching Greek as a Foreign Language”, Kaleidoscope -textbook series for learning Greek, EUROLTA Master Trainer (Certified Instructor of Teacher Trainers).

Nikos Konstantopoulos, MA, adult educator, responsible for distance education at the Hellenic Culture Centre, 20 years’ experience in teaching and material production, EUROLTA Teacher Trainer (Certified Instructor of Teachers and adult educators), trainer in Greek sign language

Dates

The Teaching Greek as a foreign Language face-to-face course takes place either in Santorini, Greece. The daily schedule is from 09.00-16.00 and 18.00-20.00 for educational and cultural activities. Upcoming dates for the next face-to-face course: 12 April -16 April 2024 2024 in Santorini, Greece

Our Centre issues a Certificate of Attendance for the teacher training courses held, to be submitted to private or public organisations and calls. The Hellenic Culture Centre is an officially recognized 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 this course

  • Fees are fully refundable for cancellations by registration deadline (at least 20 days before the beginning of the online course or 40 days before the beginning of the face-to-face course)
  • For late cancellations (after the registration deadlines) fees are not refundable. However
    • 50% of the deposited fees can be used for  registration in any other teacher training course of  the Hellenic Culture Centre within one year’s time
    • 50% of deposited fees are not refundable

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