Deadline for applications 15/9/2010 for the session:
19 to 23 March 2011

SEMINAR PROGRAMME
Day 1:
- Presentation of participants and of the seminar programme.
- The first day: the educational contract, the introduction activities
- The function of the group: the roles of the students and the roles of the teacher
- Introducing a new thematic unit/ didactic subject
- The environment of the classroom: Pandora's Box

Day 2:
- The dissimilarity in the class as a problem and as a challenge: Classrooms of mixed abilities, teaching techniques in dissimilar classes.
- Teaching students of an advanced level in Greek: the characteristics of advanced students.
- The orthography and the classification of the spelling mistakes.

Day 3:
- Preparation for the visit to a Vocational Training Centre: Presentation of its educational work, analysis of the aims of the visit and the research method.
- Visit to the Vocational Training Centre: Observation of the courses' place, discussion with administration, trainers and students.
- Reports on the visit: Presentation of participants' remarks, thoughts and conclusions.

Day 4:
- Cultural elements in the lesson: The selection and use of cultural materials, the utilization of intercultural elements, the production of new educational materials.
- Visit and Guided Tour to the Museum of Cycladic Art in Athens.

Day 5:
- Teaching the text: Didactic techniques and techniques for assimilating the text.
- Goodbye activities
- Visit and guided tour to the Museum of Folk Musical Instruments.

Location: Hellenic Culture Centre, 18 Derigny St, 10434 Athens, Greece

DAYS AND TIME SCHEDULE
Saturday 19/3/2011 , 10:00-14:00 and 16:00-20:00
Sunday 20/3/2011, 10:00-14:00 and 16:00-20:00
Monday 21/3/2011, 10:00-17:00
Tuesday 22/3/2011, 10:00-17:00
Wednesday 23/3/2011, 10:00-15:00

Fees: 670 €
Accommodation and meals for 6 days: 560 €

Click here for a Guide for Comenius/ Grundtvig grants.

Objectives
At the end of the seminar, participants are expected to have acquired the skills that will enable them to:
- locate and assess the needs and expectations of their learners
- plan their courses based on the specific needs of their adult learners
- select the didactic techniques for organizing an efficient course
- adjust, produce, apply and evaluate the appropriate teaching materials
- cooperate with each other and exchange teaching experiences, ideas and materials
- become aware of their learners' cultural and educational background and to use their cultural specificities for the needs of the course
- cope with different practical problems in their classrooms, through the exchange of experiences and ideas with their colleagues
- guide other educators and organize activities related to Greek language and culture.

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 but also on the participants' social and cultural knowledge gained through 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 but also on the participants' social and cultural knowledge gained through teaching to different target groups throughout Europe. During the course, the following techniques will be implemented: working in subgroups and pairs, role play, microteaching, lectures, guided conversation, brainstorming, language and educational games and experiential activities.
The course also includes a visit to the adult educational centre which provides greek language courses to foreigners. Before the visit, participants will be appropriately prepared by the educators for the purpose and method of the visit. During this, participants will have the opportunity to assess the manner of teaching Greek in the specific context by applying the techniques of observation, interviewing and group discussion. After its completion, participants will share their learning experience.
In the venue there will be an exhibition of didactic handbooks and other educational materials on teaching of Greek as a foreign/ second language and on intercultural education.
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 for the course group (trainers, organizers and organizing institution, other participants). Organizers will be responsible for sending all the necessary information regarding the venue (Lesvos, Athens) and the trip. All the above will be communicated via e-mail and post.

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 learning in different European countries. Participants will be also encouraged to create an informal scientific institution that will represent the teachers of Greek as foreign language in Europe.