Greek language and culture courses in GREECE

Visiting Address : OMILO, Pan. Tsaldari 13, 151 22 Maroussi (Athens) - GREECE
Postal Address: OMILO, P.O.Box 61070, 15101 Maroussi (Athens) - GREECE
Tel (+ 30 ) 210- 61.22.896 Fax (+ 30 ) 210- 61.22.706

e-mail: andreadj@otenet.gr web: http://www.omilo.com/

General Information and Type of Courses ---- The Language Course and Levels

8- or 10-Weeks in Northern ATHENS ---- 1-Week intensive in Northern ATHENS
Greek Easter in NAFPLION
June, July and September on the island of SYROS

COURSE DATES AND FEES 2009 ---- ACCOMMODATION FEES 2009
Contact Address and REGISTRATION
Directions to the OMILO office in Athens (Maroussi)
Cultural city-trips in Athens
Links

OMILO Newsletter _

Our Photo-Album _

Students Comments! _

About us

General Information and Types of Courses

The quality of your holidays or your living and working conditions in Greece will improve considerably once you start learning Greek. Mastery of the language will enable you to better understand Greek history and culture and to help you form acquaintances with the people you meet in Greece. We at OMILO can help you learn and improve your knowledge of Modern Greek while experiencing daily life, the past and contemporary culture. Our formula of learning and holidays combined, with optional cultural activities, allows you to enjoy yourself while you acquire an in-depth knowledge of the country.

Since 1996, OMILO has developed a unique approach to teaching Modern Greek, backed by a select team of Greek teachers. The informal and relaxed atmosphere of OMILO's classes makes learning Greek an enjoyable and successful experience for all.

Although our priority is providing top-quality training, OMILO also aims to bring its students in direct contact with local customs, history and culture through various excursions and activities.

Additionally OMILO offers Cultural city-breaks in Athens.
For those interested in visiting Athens and learning about ancient and modern Greece, our programs offer a variety of cultural activities as well as guided walks.

Students come to OMILO from countries all over the world, creating an interesting, friendly and international classroom atmosphere.

TYPES OF COURSES
We offer 8- and 10-week courses or intensive 1-or 2-week courses. The text books used are "Communicate in Greek", vol.1, 2 and 3 + additional materials distributed in class. Instructors make use of communication games, audio/visual materials and conversation activities.

A. 8- and 10-WEEK GROUP COURSES IN ATHENS (MAROUSSI)
8 or 10 weeks, 2 days a week, 2,5 hours a day (TOTAL 40 or 50 HOURS)
Courses, all levels, take place twice a week, 2,5 hours each time
Lessons take place in the morning (9.30 till 12.00) or in the evening (18.30 till 21.00)
Min 3 and max 7 students per class
No classes on Greek public holidays 28/10/08, 2/3/09, 25/3/08, 1/5/09, 8/6/09 and 28/10/09
Tuition includes: 40 or 50 hours instruction, coffee and tea during the break (textbook is not included)

B. INTENSIVE COURSES IN ATHENS (MAROUSSI)(*)
Courses start on Sunday (10.00) and finish Saturday (14.00).
The lessons take place from
10.00 till 14.00 on first Sunday and last Saturday (4 hours/day)
13.00 till 16.00 on Mon, Tue., We. and thursday (3 hours/day)
12.30 till 16.30 on Friday (4 hours)

Min 3 and max 6 students per class
If a class has less than 3 students, the teaching hours will be cut to a total of 18 hours.
Tuition includes : 24 hours instruction, text book, 1 tavern meal on Sunday (14.00), guided walk in Athens, visit to museum or concert (ticket not included), coffee and tea during the breaks

Courses are held in Maroussi (Northern Athens), 300 meter from the Maroussi Metro Station.

C. INTENSIVE COURSES IN NAFPLION and ISLAND OF SYROS (*)
2-week courses, 5 days a week, 4 hours a day (TOTAL 40 HOURS)
Courses start on the indicated arrival day at 19.00 and finish the indicated departure day at 13.30
The lessons take place during 10 days, 4 hours per day (usual teaching times 9.30 - 13.30).
For courses in Nafplion there is 1 day off, for courses in Syros there are 2 days off without lessons.
Min 3 and max 9 students per class
Tuition includes : 40 hours instruction, text book and 1 tavern meal on arrival day. Also included optional afternoon activities (like Greek dance lessons, museum or monastery visit, guided walks, possibilities to attend concerts and/or theatre (tickets not included)), depending upon the location and the period the course is organized.

D. SPECIAL COURSES AND PRIVATE INSTRUCTION FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN
Any time of the year in Athens, except July and August, Christmas and Easter Holidays
During the intensive courses in Nafplion (Easter) and Syros (June, July and September), private lessons are possible between 15.00 and 20.00.
Private lessons in the OMILO office are 28 till 30 Euro/hour (60 minutes). For more detailed pricing, please contact the office.
In all special courses we will work with you to tailor the program precisely to your needs. We can customize : course content, course dates and duration, the level of intensity, class size.

(*) Note for the intensive courses :

1. If a class has less than 3 students, the teaching hours will be cut to 30 hours in case of 2 persons or to 25 hours in case of 1 person.(for the same fee)
2. The various 1-or 2-week courses in Athens and outside Athens are often scheduled consecutively, so you can easily extend your course with 1 or 2 weeks if you wish. (even when the 2nd course is in another location.)
3. Those not having the possibility to stay for 2 weeks in Greece, can choose the option to take a 1 week class, being the first week of every intensive 2-week course.
4.During the intensive courses, participants will be offered the opportunity to take part in different activities (free of charge) during the afternoons. Optional excursions (extra charge) are proposed during the free days, depending on the location of your course.

Courses are offered in three different locations :
Athens : intensive courses in March, April and May. Regular courses and private lessons all year round, except July and August
Nafplion (Peloponese) - April (Easter Holidays)
Cycladic island of Syros - June, July and September
For information, see below.

The Language Course and Levels

The language course

Since 1996, OMILO has developed a succesful and proven approach to GREEK language study, which makes it possible for you to learn Greek quickly and efficiently. The educational program is designed to develop all language skills, although the method emphasizes spoken Greek. In all our courses we aim to build on our students' knowledge of Greek and to expand it accordingly. Classes have a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 9 students. The small size of the groups enables teachers to consider the individual wishes and needs of the participants. Students at OMILO come from countries around the world and create an interesting, friendly and international classroom atmosphere.

Our courses are designed to equip you with skills necessary for every-day communication and to provide you with a solid foundation in the structure of the Greek language ;
A. Courses at different levels, from Beginners to Advanced classes
B. Instruction by qualified and experienced teachers in small classes
C. Cultural and recreational programme

OMILO teacher

The levels

The allocation of each student to the appropriate level takes place after a small test. The teaching materials are adapted to the actual knowledge and skills of the persons participating. For details about the levels, please click here.
THE LANGUAGE LEVELS

8- and 10-week Modern Greek Language Courses in Athens (Maroussi)

For interested individuals, living in Athens or close to Athens

Directions to the OMILO office in Maroussi (Northern Athens)

COURSE LOCATION :
OMILO OFFICE
Panagi Tsaldari 13, 15122 Maroussi (Northern Athens)
300m from the Maroussi Metro Station (Metro line Kifissia - Pireas)

DATES 2009

January 12 till March 20, 2009 (50 hours)
April 27 till June 20, 2009 (40 hours)
September 21 till November 13,2009 (40 hours)
October 12 till December 18, 2009 (50 hours)

8 or 10 weeks, 2 days a week, 2,5 hours a day (TOTAL 40 or 50 HOURS)
* Courses, all levels, take place twice a week, 2,5 hours each time
* Lessons take place in the morning (9.30 till 12.00) or in the evening (18.30 till 21.00)
* Min 3 and max 7 students per class
* No classes on Greek public holidays 2/3/09, 25/3/08, 1/5/09, 8/6/09 and 28/10/09 Classes are not re-scheduled to make up for public holidays
Tuition includes: 40 or 50 hours instruction, coffee and tea during the break (textbook is not included)

Course prices 2009 : Euro 400 (40 hours) or Euro 495 (50 hours)

OMILO also provides PRIVATE LESSONS or customized instruction in Modern Greek at the office or at your home, at a convenient time to you. Please contact us for prices

Examination for the certificate of attainment in Greek : Learners of Modern Greek now have the opportunity to obtain official recognition of their level of Greek language competence by sitting for an examination that is held annually (in May) throughout Europe. This language qualification for Modern Greek is officially recognized by the Hellenic Ministry of Education and the Centre for the Greek language. The certificate is available for 4 levels of proficiency in Greek. (levels Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta)
OMILO offers an intensive 24-hours course in April (5/4 - 11/4/2009) to prepare for the Beta-level and Gamma-level. (see below "intensive courses in Maroussi) Preparation for this Certificate in every of the 4 levels is also possible by private instruction.

More information about this certificate can be found on the web-site http://www.greeklanguage.gr. (at the bottom of the page, and in different languages)

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE COURSES, PRIVATE LESSONS, TIME SCHEDULES AND LEVELS, PLEASE CONTACT OMILO BY PHONE, FAX OR EMAIL at andreadj@otenet.gr .

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1-week intensive courses in Northern Athens

8 MARCH till 14 MARCH // 15 MARCH till 21 MARCH 2009

5 APRIL till 11 APRIL // 17 MAY till 23 MAY 2009

For those interested to get to know Athens during the “non-hot season”, OMILO organizes 1-week intensive courses in Maroussi, in Northern Athens.
Courses start on Sunday (10.00) and finish the next Saturday (14.00).
The lessons take place from
10.00 till 14.00 on first Sunday and last Saturday (4 hours/day)
13.00 till 16.00 on Mon, Tue., We. and thursday (3 hours/day)
12.30 till 16.30 on Friday (4 hours)
With this time shedule the participants have the opportunity to visit museums before or after their course, and explore the city by daylight. For those "in love" with Greek music, there are many possibilities to attend the many musical performances in the evenings and during the nights.

Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit Athens. There are many things to see and do and you can enjoy the city without the summer heat and the many tourists. Athens is a city with many faces and as the capital of Greece, it is the mainspring of the country’s economic, social and cultural life. Built on the crossroads of eastern and western world, the city never fails to impress its visitors. Athens is full of contradictions and as a typical Mediterranean capital it is a colourful city, which never sleeps.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ATHENS, click here

Examination for the certificate of attainment in Greek : Learners of Modern Greek now have the opportunity to obtain official recognition of their level of Greek language competence by sitting for an examination that is held annually (in May) throughout Europe. This language qualification for Modern Greek is officially recognized by the Hellenic Ministry of Education and the Centre for the Greek language. The certificate is available for 4 levels of proficiency in Greek. (levels Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta)
OMILO offers an intensive 24-hours course in April (5/4 - 11/4/09) to prepare for the Beta-level and Gamma-Level

More information about this certificate can be found on the web-site http://www.greeklanguage.gr. (on the bottom of the page, and in different languages)
Sounion temple

The temple of Sounion, the city of Nafplion, the olympic stadium in Athens

Accommodation in Athens

Most participants prefer to stay in the same hotel, in order to have more contact with each other. Therefore we suggest some conveniently located hotels in the center of Athens. In case you prefer to book another hotel, of course do not hesitate to do so. There are plenty of options in Athens, in different locations, neigborhoods and price-categories.

More info about the hotels you can find on
ATHENS ACCOMMODATION LIST

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April (Greek Easter) Course in Nafplion

14 APRIL till 25 APRIL, 2009

Celebrate Greek Easter together with the Greeks! In the Greek Orthodox religion, Easter is the most important celebration. To give you the opportunity to experience the Greek festivities and to improve your Greek at the same time, a 2-week Easter course will be organized in NAFPLION

Students will arrive on the indicated arrival date, and stay 11 nights. We will meet the students for the first time on the arrival date at 19.00h and give more information about the course and possible activities. At 20.00h OMILO invites all students for a taverna meal in the old city of Nafplion. (included in the course fees).
The lessons will start the followng morning (wednesday 15 april) at 9.30h. Students will be asked to do a small test, in order to divide them in the right course levels. The course book will be given during the first lesson. Courses are held in the local primary school of Nafplion, at 300 meter from the Leto Hotel.

The course finnishes on Saturday 25 april at 13.30 h. In case you prefer to stay an extra night(s) in Nafplion , this can be arranged. (to be filled out on the registration form)

You can reach Nafplion by bus from the central bus station of Athens (2 hours). There is a direct bus connection from the airport of Athens to the Central Bus station in Athens as well.(40 minutes).

NAFPLION is one of Greece’s prettiest towns. The old town of Nafplion has seen generations of Byzantines, Franks, Turks and Greeks walk its narrow and winding streets through the centuries. The old city, today, with its neo classical houses, picturesque streets, wooden balconies with cascading flowers, Turkish fountains, Syntagma square with its fascinating architecture and outdoor cafe tables, is like a fairy land. The Venetians have marked it with the impressive, mighty fortress of Palamidi, on the 700 ft hill top right above the town. During summer nights floodlights, illuminating the fortress, offer a spectacular sight. Removed from the spotlight as capital of Greece (1828-1834), Nafplion settled into a more comfortable role as a peaceful seaside resort. It is also a good base from which to explore many ancient sites. Nafplion is located at 2 hours from Athens, by bus.

Nafplion Nafplion beach

Accommodation in Nafplion is provided in Pension Leto,located in the old town, close to the sea and to the local public school where your lessons will take place. Breakfast is provided in your hotel.

Pension Leto (***) has simple clean rooms, including bath, AC and TV. Half of the rooms have balcony.

Activities and Excursions

Participants can join activities such as Greek-dancing, walking, visiting a monastery, .... During the Easter course participants can attend the Greek Easter festivities such as the Good Friday procession through the village, the ceremony of the lighting of candles, cracking of red-dyed Easter eggs and the feast of roasted lamb.

Optional Excursions (to be booked and paid in Nafplion) are possible, such as:
* Myceane and Nemea Archeological sites
* Wine tasting
* The neighboring villages of Nafplion

cracking red eggs

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Summer courses on the cycladic island of Syros

JUNE 21 till JULY 3 // JULY 4 till JULY 16, 2009

SEPTEMBER 6 till SEPTEMBER 18 // SEPTEMBER 20 till OCTOBER 2, 2009

For the 2-week (13 days)intensive Syros courses, students will arrive on the indicated arrival day, and stay 12 nights. We will meet the students for the first time on the arrival day at 19.00h and give more information about the course and possible activities. At 20.00h OMILO invites all students for a taverna meal in Azolimnos (included in the course fees).
The lessons will start the following morning at 9.30h. Students will be asked to do a small test, in order to divide them in the right course levels. The course book will be given during the first lesson.
Courses are held in the Echo Pension at Azolimnos, 100 meter from the bus station , from where you can take the bus to Ermoupolis.

On the indicated departure day the course finnishes at 13.30. In case you prefer to stay an extra night(s) in Syros (Azolimnos), this can be arranged.(to be filled out on the registration form)

The courses take place in Pension Echo in Azolimnos , 4km south of Ermoupoli. There are beautiful beaches and plenty of tavernas right at the course location. There is a frequent bus connection from Azolimnos to and from Ermoupoli. You can reach Syros by airplane from Athens or by ferry (3 daily ferries) or else from Rafina via Tinos.

SYROS is a cycladic island. The cyclades are a group of islands of varying sizes scattered over the deep blue waters of the Aegean. Some of them are well-known to the public at large (Mykonos, Santorini) , while others remain little known. Taken as a whole, they make an ideal holiday destination for visitors of the most varied tastes.
The Cyclades have exercised a powerful charm since ancient times, and they were the birthplace of one of the Mediterranean's most important civilisations. One which took its name from the islands : the Cycladic civilisation (3000 till 1000 BC)

Ermoupoli is the capital and main harbour of Syros. It is also without doubt the capital of all the Cyclades. Ermoupoli stands on a naturally amphitheatrical site, with neo-classical buildings, old mansions and white houses in the island style cascading down to the harbour.

During the 19th century Ermoupolis became the major port of Greece. It was superseded by Piraeus in the 20th century, but is still the capital of the Cyclades and largest city, with a population of over 13.000. It is a very affluent, lively town; its wealth evident in the many restored neo-classical mansions, the marble-paved streets, and the chic little backstreet boutiques. Unlike most of the Cyclades, the occupants of Ermoupolis are busy with things other than tourism, which in itself adds immeasurable real-life charm to the place. Syros is an exception in the Greek territory, having a very big Catholic population. As the boat sails into the port you will see the Catholic settlement of Ano Syros to the left, and the Orthodox settlement of Vrodado to the right, both set on hills. Today, the population of Syros is 40 % Catholic and 60% Orthodox. beach in Azolimnos

Accommodation on the island of Syros

Accommodation can be offered in the Pension Echo, Pension Galaksi, Pension Aegean or Pension Oasis all very close to the beach of Azolimnos, 15 minutes by bus from Ermoupolis.

A big garden offers participants the perfect surroundings for enjoyment and relaxation. All rooms have air-conditioning, bathroom, TV and balcony.
There are several taverns and cafes located very near to the Pension.

The room rates do not include breakfast, since there are no breakfast facilities at the pensions. All rooms have a kitchenette with refrigerator.
Syros sunset

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Course Dates and Tuition Fees 2009

FOR COURSES DATES AND FEES, PLEASE CLICK HERE COURSE DATES AND COURSE FEES 2009

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2009 Accommodation Fees
during the Intensive Courses

Most participants coming from abroad stay in housing (hotel or Pension) arranged through OMILO. This way participants can easily meet and practise their Greek together during breakfast or spare time. Any transaction related to reservation and booking of accommodation is offered at no cost to our students. We offer this possibility in order to facilitate and simplify the participation in our Greek courses. Rooms are air-conditioned single or double rooms with private bathrooms. Double occupancy fees are available only if another student wishes to share a room. It is not obligatory to use OMILO's proposals. Participants can make their own arrangements if they wish to do so.

* Arrival : On the indicated arrival day of your chosen course (rooms available from 13.00 )
* Departure : On the indicated departure day of your chosen course (rooms have to be empty by 12.00)
* Double rooms can only be reserved in case a friend or family member joins you
* For hotel and pension reservations we ask you to pay 150 Euro in advance for the Syros and Nafplion courses. The balance can be paid upon arrival in Greece
* Extra hotel nights can be booked upon demand, before or after the course
* Prices are in Euro, per room and per night
All room prices are inclusive breakfast in Athens and Nafplion but without breakfast on Syros island

ACCOMMODATION PRICE LIST 2009 (SYROS, NAFPLION, ATHENS)

For more possibilities on accommodation in Athens please go to our
ATHENS ACCOMMODATION LIST

In case somebody would like to share a room with you in the hotel, without having Greek lessons, this can be arranged for the whole course duration or for some days.

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Registration and Contact Address

For brochures and registration forms, please contact:
OMILO
P.O. Box 61070
GR- 151 01 Maroussi (Athens)
GREECE
Tel (+ 30) 210- 61.22.896 Fax: (+30) 210-61.22.706
Mobile (+ 30 ) 6977/59.98.91
e-mail: andreadj@otenet.gr
http://www.omilo.com/

HOW TO REGISTER?

1. Contact us to send you the registration form, or print it yourself here Registration Form
2. Complete the registration form and return it to us by email attachment, fax or postal mail.
3. Upon receipt of the registration form we will send you a written confirmation and payment details. A deposit of 150 Euro is due within 10 days after the receipt of our confirmation letter. The remaining course fee should be paid 4 weeks before your first course day. (If registering late, you will be required to pay the total course fee upon registration.)

4. For those choosing to stay in one of the recommended hotels, we will make the hotel reservation for you. We will ask you to pay, together with the registration fee, an extra 150 Euro per room, to cover the first hotel nights and guarantee the hotel booking. The balance of the hotel accommodation should be paid in full within the first 2 days of your course. Late arrival and early departure does not give the right of a reduction in the accommodation and tuition cost, unless we have agreed on this before the course started.

5. Cancellation : You can change your course date up to three weeks prior to the start of the course, on condition that places are available. In case of cancellation, OMILO must be notified in writing. If the cancellation is made at least 30 days before the start of the course, the money already paid will be refunded except for a cancellation fee of 80 EUR. For cancellations between 30 and 15 days before the start of the course, a cancellation fee of 150 EUR will be charged. If you cancel your course less than 15 days before the start you must pay 300 euro for the tuition and the first 5 hotel nights of your booked accommodation.

Should a client leave the course before the end or fail to arrive for the course without giving notice of cancellation, the full price of the course and accommodation is charged.

Tuition Fees do not include Insurance
OMILO will not be held responsible in the event of accidents, illnesses, or loss/theft of valuables. Before you arrive in Greece, we recommend you arrange an appropriate (travel)insurance (valid in Greece) to cover cancellation, early departure, medical expenses, personal property, etc�

To print the registration form yourself, as a WORD document, please click here: Registration Form

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ABOUT US

OMILO was founded in 1996 by Dimitris Andreadis, from Greece, and his Belgian wife Maya Cornelissens. It has since then expanded into a successful language school. Dimitris teaches classes and deals with the legal and administrative aspects of the business, whereas Maya is responsible for the daily aspects of running the school and for looking after the students. A major asset in both of their professional lives is their international background and vast experience in what we would call "cultural tourism".

Our team of teachers has been carefully selected according to their academic qualifications, experience and personality. All our teachers are university graduates, native Greek speakers, with experience in teaching Greek as a Foreign Language. They are fluent in English and competent in other European languages.
The teachers have not only been chosen for their qualifications and experience, but also for their ability to work enthusiastically with students. Our teachers will help you establish clear learning objectives and will encourage you to speak Greek from the very first day. Your classes will be stimulating and fun. Dimitris

Since 1998 Dora Stoimenidou and Marina Braila joined the OMILO-team on a permanent basis and from 2006 onwards also Christina and Konstantinos became part of the full-time OMILO staff.
Marina grew up in Korinthos and studied at the Athens University. Dora grew up and studied in Thessaloniki.
Konstantinos grew up in Crete, studied in Thessaloniki and the U.K. and now also lives permanently in Athens.
They all have a University degree in Greek Philology and Pedagogy. They have a more than 10 years of experience in teaching the modern Greek Language to foreigners, and are very succesful teachers. Apart from teaching, they are involved in developing course material for the OMILO courses, as well as training new teachers.
Christina is fluent in Greek, English, French, Dutch and German and teaches mainly Beginners courses. Apart from teaching, she is helping OMILO with the administration and secretarial work.
During the intensive courses (March till October) OMILO also works with extra teachers, all Greek native speakers, fluent in English and holding an university degree.

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