Σκλήρη Έφη  40 ετών

Modern Greek as Second/Foreign Language - Μαθήματα Ελληνικών

Hello, everyone!

My name is Effie!

I am native Greek speaker and I'm a passionate Modern Greek Language teacher with over 12 years of experience helping students succeed in speaking, understanding, writing and the most important interacting in modern Greek language. Whether you're preparing for exams or just want to deepen your understanding, I'm here to help you set and reach your learning goals.

I have studied Greek Classic Philology at University of Athens and I am holding a Master degree in teaching Modern Greek as a foreign/second language from the same university. I have been teaching Modern Greek Language since 2012, working with students of all ages and backgrounds. I've taught in different kind of schools and classes (i.e. in the Modern Greek Language Center of the University of Athens, in refugees camps, in a tent, in a container, on the ground, in Modern Greek Language Institutes, in summer schools, online e.t.c.) and have helped hundreds of students achieve their own goals (i.e. Travel and Daily Interactions - Social Integration - Cultural understanding - Furthering education - Αcquisition of Greek citizenship - Modern Greek Language Certificate - Grammar and Structure Awareness - Career advancement etc).

Γιατί κάποιος να με προτιμήσει;

Throughout my teaching journey as an educator, I have tried to maximize every individual student’s potential and to light every student’s interest in language, in culture and in the belief that we are all citizens of one world.

My teaching approach is all about making learning engaging and tailored to each student. I believe in breaking down complex topics into easy-to-understand concepts, and I use interactive exercises to help students actively participate and retain what they learn. Whether you're a visual learner or prefer hands-on examples, I adapt my lessons to fit each student style.

In general, I follow a holistic approach in teaching, as this emphasizes viewing language learning as an interconnected and whole process that integrates multiple aspects of the learner’s experience. It goes beyond focusing solely on the cognitive aspects of language acquisition (such as grammar and vocabulary) and incorporates emotional, social, cultural, and personal dimensions. The goal is to develop well-rounded communicators who can use the language in meaningful and authentic ways.

More specifically, I follow, among others, the pedagogical methods of Paulo Freire and Célestin Freinet and both the basic principles of Krashen's and Swain's approach of teaching a foreign language. As educator, I believe that the educational process should be a process of a mutual relationship. For this reason teachers are merely facilitators, and knowledge is jointly produced between teachers and students.

In a nutchel, in the classes I focus on:
1.meaningful interaction and comprehensible input
2.low-stress learning environment
3.interconnected skills (speaking, listening, reading, writing, interaction)
4.personalization and relevance
5.cultural awareness
6.authentic material and functional language use
7.learning through playing
8.cognitive (mental) and affective (emotional) students' needs
9.freedom of expression
10.feedback and reflection

Depending on your level and your goals the idea is to learn together through not only using a coursebook but mainly through playful activities (i.e. board games, role playing, wordwall exercises etc), through authentic material (i.e. articles, documentaries, literature, movies, songs, cooking recipes etc), through discussion, through making your own book, through art, through poetry, through everything that motivates you!
Of course, if your goal is to take exams or get the Greek citizenship the preparation is gonna be in a different, but amusing, way.

Do you want to learn Modern Greek? Do you want to learn through an interactive and effective way? Do you want to improve your current skills? Are you a totally beginner or a proficient one? Do you need intensive lessons? Do you like Greek culture and you want to learn more about it? Do you have Greek roots? Do you want to find a job in Greece? Do you want to make practice in conversation? Are you just fond of learning foreign languages?

Book a trial lesson with me so we can discuss your goals and how I can help you reach them out!

It would be a pleasure to meet you!