Metadrasi – Greece
Greek language courses have been offered in Athens by the organisation METAdrasi. Since September 2010, METAdrasi has been active in teaching Greek as a foreign language to asylum seekers and refugees. This activity differs from the usual language teaching methods since it has been specifically designed for the needs of the target group (non-nationals): the courses are intensive and adjusted to the language particularities/abilities of the participants, as well as to their subsistence and integration needs. According to METAdrasi, ‘teaching of a language to non-native speakers should not be isolated from the surrounding social and cultural conditions’, and therefore, cultural orientation sessions, visits to museums, as well as intercultural activities also form part of the curriculum. The main aim is to achieve fluency in oral communication for beginners in a short period of time, and to certify proficiency in Greek through the appropriate University exams at an advanced level.
There are four levels of language courses provided twice a week, in groups of 10 to 20 people. In levels A1 and A2 the teaching material is constituted by texts or dialogues of authentic speech, covering a variety of communication circumstances in order to be able to respond to real-life needs. In levels B1, B2 interactive discussions are encouraged and more adult education methods are used. Following the context of multi-cultural education, the courses are learner-centered promoting the participation of students through cooperative exercises while some cultural activities form also part of the curriculum such as visits to museums, intercultural events and visits to public spaces.
