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How to Learn Greek in Crete

By Katia Luz

How to Learn Greek - in Greece, on Crete and other Greek islands, and in the capital, Athens.

Why Learn Greek

Learn Greek in Crete

Learn Greek in Athens

Learn Greek in Napflion

Accommodation in Crete

Learn Greek in the Greek Islands

My Story - Greek Language Classes

Getting to Crete

Reasons to Learn Greek

There are so many reasons for learning Greek language while you are travelling in Greece:

understand the culture
make new friends
meet the locals, learn about new places
communicate with your new neighbours
understand directions and impromptu history lessons
discuss philosophy
understand ancient history
know the difference between a lively discussion and an argument
get the right tools at the hardware store!

Taso says "I really do suggest you learn some Greek language, even if you are spending only a short time in Crete or in Greece. It will make such a difference to the quality of your experience, and you never know what new friends you might make! Ela! Milate Ellinika!"

Katia has been learning Greek for many years, and she even has a Cretan accent! Her Greek is pretty good, but she gets confused sometimes, and might say stafilia grapes instead of filakia kisses. Now we often say goodbye with fruit, and we have progressed through achladia pears, mandarinakia mandarins, and mourakia berries through to karpousia watermelons. That's a whole lot of kisses right there!

One of her favourite Cretan words seems to be tsikoudia, whether this is because it has a rocket launch sound to it, or because she likes drinking it with us and friends, we don't know. Anyway, she has a few ideas to suggest if you want to learn Greek.

Thanks for that introduction, Taso, here are my two cent's worth on how to learn Greek in Crete.

The joys of communicating in Greek are endless. Did you notice every Greek is a philosopher? The kafenion really is the 'university of life' and you will learn more there in an evening than you expected, once you can understand Greek.

There are plenty of places to learn Greek in Crete, apart from the local kafenion, the hardware store and over coffee with your friends in the village.

The first idea is to find someone in your village who speaks English and Greek and is willing to swap lessons. This is always my favourite way to learn a language and provides endless fun and friendship.

If you cannot find anyone to swap with, just put the word out through your neighbours and at the kafenion and be patient, someone might show up when you least expect it.

In the meantime, there are formal Greek classes to be found in Crete as outlined below.

How to Learn Greek In Crete

The Greek Centre for Adult Education
(KEE - Kentro Ekpaidefsis Elinikon) has free Greek lessons for EU members and legal immigrants. There are classes offered in Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklion and Agios Nikolaos in Crete.

The Lexis Greek Language and Culture Centre in Chania, Crete, has a variety of Greek lessons with accommodation based in the beautiful historic centre of Chania. Contact Maria Foundoulaki at the centre.

My Greek Seminars in Heraklion or via Skype with experienced English-speaking teacher Rita Koukoulaki, of Heraklion. Choose your level and your mode of study, meet in Rita's home or yours, or via the internet.

Kleis Workshop for Greek Language and Culture in Chania offer private or group courses for in Greek for those to whom Greek is a new language or for persons of Greek descent for whom Greek is a second lanuage. Situated in a beautiful nineteenth century villa in Amberia in Chania town.

Filomathia Language School - the name means 'love of learning' runs classes in Chania, Crete. Eva Dimitsanti says "It all begins from experienced and qualified teachers, native speakers with great passion for their work, who stand by students as friends and guides sharing knowledge and encouraging self-confidence."

How to Learn Greek - In Athens

Consider spending a week or two in the northern leafy suburb of Kifissia in Athens and attending the excellent Greek school of Omilo which is located in Maroussi.

Dimitris, Maya and the team are wonderful teachers, very professional yet down-to-earth in their approach, and they organise intensive classes all over Greece.

Learn Greek in Nafplion

Omilo have a two week intensive class over Easter in Nafplion.

More about the beautiful town of Nafplion here.

How to Learn Greek
In the Greek Islands

Ermoupolis Harbour on Syros, you can learn Greek here with Omilo

There is nothing like two weeks on a Greek island with intensive language classes to get your Greek flowing.

I can highly recommend the Omilo team, and their island classes in Syros. Syros is a beautiful island in the Cyclades, close to Mykonos, Tinos, Paros and Naxos and holding a beauty of its own. Learn Greek next to the beach at Azolimnos and relax in the beautiful town of Ermoupolis (pictured above) at lunch and in the evenings.

My Story - Greek Language Classes

Below are some photos of our fun parea at the island Greek classes in Syros.

How to learn Greek - together!

Just a few steps from our 'classroom'

We stayed in a lovely little seaside town called Azolimnos, and enjoyed many taverna dinners, historic walks in Ermoupolis the capital, and other Greek cultural activities.

Ermoupolis, capital of Syros

Boat trip on a day without classes - Syros

A day off from classes and a day excursion out on the boat to see the beautiful beaches of Syros

A stop for a drink in a remote bay - Syros

Its hard to learn Greek but someone has to do it!

We enjoyed the many beaches of Syros and the crystal clear waters. In September we virtually had the beaches to ourselves. We left from Galissas for a boat trip to the wild inaccessible western beaches.

Meeting up with a crazy bunch of foreigners from all over the world was so much fun; our taverna dinners were punctuated with accents and exclamations from many diverse languages, as well as full of delicious local food.

Yes! We did learn some Greek too!
Here we are during the graduation ceremony!

Graduating from Greek classes in Syros

See more of our photos of Azolimnos, Syros and the Greek language classes:

See comments from students of Omilo from all around the world:

Accommodation in Crete

Most of the Greek language schools are located in Chania in the west of Crete. See our suggestions for accommodation before and after your session at the school.

Cocoon City Hostel is close to the bus stop in Chania with budget rates suitable for all the family, and great for solo travellers. Close to the old town, cafes and tavernas.

“It’s brand new and clean. Big kitchens (2), comfy chairs, nice lounge to relax, nice outdoor space with garden furniture and small swimming pools. Large dorms, comfy bunks. The best hostel I’ve ever stayed at.”

Check Rates & Availability at Cocoon City Hostel

Another budget option a few streets from the bus station in Chania is the Boho City Hostel - good value in the old town. Welcoming, clean, comfortable and the location is ideal.