Second Foreign Language

[wpo_block_heading title=”Second Foreign Language”]

The ability to communicate in more than one language is a key feature of an education that promotes interculturalism. Thus, in the 4th grade, students of our school have the opportunity to start learning a second foreign language by choosing between French and German. In the 5th and 6th grade pupils develop their communication skills by further enriching their vocabulary and by understanding the mechanisms of the language. In Gymnasium they continue their course in learning a second foreign language and they are also presented with the choice of Italian language. Depending on the progress of the pupils and according to their response to the requirements of the curriculum, it is possible to obtain language certificates.

French is one of the languages students can choose from as a second foreign language starting at the last two grades of Primary School.

Through small groups we aim to familiarize our students with the language so that they can produce simple oral and written language (in Primary School), so as to gradually lead them to conscious learning of the language by entering Gymnasium. This way they develop basic skills early with the help of modern books and various audiovisual teaching aids.

Students’ level is certified in the Gymnasium by the corresponding diplomas of the French Institute: DELF A1, A2, B1, B2 and SORBONNE. Students have the opportunity to attend intensive courses per level. Every year, our departments score incredible success rates.

Our goal is for children to develop positive attitude towards the language, to be able to use it correctly and to certify their knowledge by participating in the exams.

As part of our effort to familiarize our students with French culture, we encourage them to participate in festivals and competitions such as the Francophonie Festival in March and the Panhellenic Francophonie Competition organized each year by the French Institute of Greece, the French Embassy and the French-speaking Embassies in Greece.

The French section of our school is in regular contact with the Department of Collaboration and Educational Action as well as with the Department of Examinations of the French Institute of Athens.

Why German?

German is the mother tongue in many countries of the European Union.

1/3 of EU residents thinks, speaks and writes German.

The myth that German is one of the most difficult languages ​​has now been abolished, especially for Greeks. It has been documented that the German language has many similarities to the Greek language. German has common features with our language both in grammar structure and syntax as well as in the way of thinking.

Learning German, students are practicing organizing their thinking.

In our school, teaching of German starts in the 5th grade, according to the Ministry of Education guidelines.

Students have the opportunity to certify their knowledge by taking part in the language examinations of the German Goethe Institute, the Austrian ÖSD Testing Organization, and the State Language Certificate.

The Exams concern the A1, A2, B1 and B2 levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Children who are preparing for a degree are provided with additional teaching hours.

Instruction is based on audio-visual and modern technological educational means.

Our aim is to teach children how to use the language correctly, but also to get in touch with the culture of German-speaking space.

Gymnasium students in our school have the option of choosing Italian as a second foreign language.
Learning the Italian Language starts from the beginning (level A1 in the first grade, level A2 – B1 in the second grade, level B2 in the third grade of Gymnasium).
During Gymnasium students have the opportunity to participate in A1, A2, B1, B2 examinations of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages ​​of the University of Perugia (Celi), the Italian Institute and the State Language Certificate.
The collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute, the Italian School of Athens and the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, as well as the additional teaching hours provided to students preparing for the degree, contribute to the high success rate at the examinations.
Why choose Italian?
· Because it is a language in which the pupil can obtain a degree during the three years of attending Gymnasium, which makes it “easy”.
· Because there is always a possibility of undergraduate and postgraduate studies in neighboring Italy. The vast majority of study programs take place only in the Italian language, which makes language knowledge a prerequisite for studying in Italy.
· Because Italy is now ranked second among the main trading partners of Greece. It is the second destination country for Greek products.
Our goal, beyond acquiring a degree, is to love the Italian language, to get in touch with Italian culture and to become “citizens of the world”, a possibility provided through the knowledge of many foreign languages.