CHIOS ISLAND – Modern and Ancient Greek Language Summer Courses
Chios – Modern and Ancient Greek Language Summer Courses
EASTER AT CHIOS: 21/04 – 04/05/2019
SEPTEMBER 2019
FIRST PERIOD: 01-14/09/2019
SECOND PERIOD: 15-28/09/2019
Modern Greek language and Culture course
Ancient Greek course
Private courses of Greek language and Culture all year round
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This program is designed for students who want to make rapid progress in Modern Greek language and deepen their knowledge of Greece and its culture. It offers an intensive language course for beginner, intermediate and advanced level. The course is 40 hours, divided into 10 days, and includes grammar, reading, speaking, and writing. It also provides an insight into Greek culture and civilization. Special courses of Modern Greek Literature and Culture and of Ancient Greek are offered on request. Our Greek teachers are qualified, specialized and experienced in teaching Greek as a foreign language. Moreover the course is combined with lectures, outdoor activities and various tours helping students become more familiar with contemporary Greek culture.
This summer “We Learn Modern Greek” at Chios, Homer’s island. Together we will discover its ancient and medieval history, the Byzantine mosaics of Nea Moni and Genoese castles and mansions. We will discover the aroma of a special resin called masticha, the main ingredient of a variety of products such as chewing gum, liqueurs and chemicals, we will taste new dishes and we will enjoy crystal-clear beaches and the incomparable beauty of this unique island.
For Greeks, Easter is the biggest religious holiday of the spring. The big week, or as it is known in Greek ‘Megali Evdomada,’ is the week from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. On Good Saturday in the morning we celebrate the Resurrection of Christ, it is called “Proti Anastasi”. It is the last day of Lent and it is filled with preparations for the midnight meal. Just before midnight on Saturday everyone gathers at church with their Easter candles. Just before midnight all the lights are switched off, as a symbol of Jesus’ descending to the kingdom of death, and a moment later the priest announces ‘Christos Anesti,’ or Christ Has Risen. People start cheering, greeting and kissing each other and many fireworks go off.
The Easter at Chios is really unique; in the late 1800s, when Turkey occupied the small island of Chios, which now forms part of Greece, the local Orthodox Christian population wasn’t allowed to celebrate Easter. But, in the small village of Vrontados, two churches came up with a cunning plan to keep the Turkish authorities away while they celebrated Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead: they staged a fake war using cannons and fireworks. This tradition, born of religious fervor, continues to this day. Each year, as Easter Sunday looms, the parishes of the Agios Markos and Panagia Erithiani churches, which sit on opposite hills, unleash thousands of homemade firework rockets on each other, creating one of the world’s most surreal pyrotechnic displays.
PROGRAM OF COURSES
The program will be held in Voulamandis house in Kampos (Chios) and classes are taking place from Monday to Friday, from 09:00 to 13:00. The weekend is dedicated to various cultural activities (optional). It is up to the Alexandria Institute to make changes in the schedule or the location of the lessons if necessary.
EASTER AT CHIOS
- Sunday, April 21, 2019. Arrival in Chios and check in.
- Monday, April 22 – Friday, April 26 and Monday, April 29 – Friday, May 3, from 9:00 to 13:00. Lessons in Genoese villa “Voulamandis House”.
- Friday, May 3, 2019. Graduation with representatives of Alexandria Institute and Greek local authorities.
- Saturday, May 4, 2019. Check out and departure from Chios.
FIRST PERIOD
- Sunday, September 01, 2019. Arrival in Chios and check in.
- Monday, September 02 – Friday, September 06 and Monday, September 9 – Friday, September 13, from 9:00 to 13:00. Lessons in Genoese villa “Voulamandis House”.
- Friday, September 13, 2019. Graduation with representatives of Alexandria Institute and Greek local authorities.
- Saturday, September 14, 2019. Check out and departure from Chios.
SECOND PERIOD
- Sunday, September 15, 2019. Arrival in Chios and check in.
- Monday, September 16 – Friday, September 20 and Monday, September 23 – Friday, September 27, from 9:00 to 13:00. Lessons in Genoese villa “Voulamandis House”.
- Friday, September 27, 2019. Graduation with representatives of Alexandria Institute and Greek local authorities.
- Saturday, September 28, 2019. Check out and departure from Chios.
TYPE OF COURSES – LEVELS
Alexandria Institute offers intensive courses of Modern Greek language and Culture for beginners, intermediate and advanced level students.
In addition to the general courses, the following special courses are offered:
LOCATION
The program will be held at Voulamandis House (Voulamandis House, Kalvokoressi 117, 82100 Chios. http://www.chioshotel.gr/). Students are offered accommodation in this refurbished Genoese mansion. Voulamandis House is located in Kampos, in a 12-acre farm surrounded by orange and mandarin groves.
It offers free on-site parking. The rooms, renovated in 2011, are bright, spacious and air-conditioned with big bathrooms, equipped with LCD TV, free Wi-Fi, a fridge and kettles to enjoy your coffee or tea on the balcony or in its beautiful garden. It is 6 km from the main town of Chios and 3 km from the sandy beach of Karfas. Products from the mansion’s organic farm are used daily for breakfast.
ATTRACTIONS:
For many centuries, Chios’ strategic location had an important impact on the island’s history. Therefore in the different villages there are many remains from the various historical periods and the different conquerors. For further information visit: http://www.chiosonline.gr/sightseeing.asp
Wild tulips in Chios. Oil painting by Mary Oikonomou.
USEFUL LINKS RELATING TO CHIOS
http://www.chiosonline.gr/default.asp
http://www.mosaic.gr/default.htm
http://www.giustiniani.info/chios.html
http://www.chiosnet.gr/tourism/default.htm
CREDITS
The course is organized by Alexandria Institute (Athens).
REGISTRATION
For registration or information about the Greek language and culture course at Chios, please fill in the registration form or contact welearngreek@gmail.com or +306972526788 (Greece). Please describe in detail your previous knowledge of Modern Greek language, both written and spoken, as well as whether you have any knowledge of Ancient Greek. Additionally you may also add any preferences and interests regarding history, music, dance or other aspects of Greek culture. Please also indicate the package and the type of course you desire (beginners, intermediate, advanced, Greek literature and culture, ancient Greek):
EASTER AT CHIOS 21 APRIL TO 04 MAY 2019 COMPLETE PACKAGE 890 EURO
1ST PERIOD CHIOS 01 SEPTEMBER TO 14 SEPTEMBER 2019 COMPLETE PACKAGE 890 EURO
2ND PERIOD CHIOS 15 SEPTEMBER TO 28 SEPTEMBER 2019 COMPLETE PACKAGE 890 EURO
COMPLETE PACKAGE in CHIOS includes:
• The course: 40 hours of lessons divided into 10 days with native teachers with experience in teaching Greek as a foreign language. That is 5 + 5 days of lessons with a break of 2 days dedicated to excursions and various cultural activities (optional).
• All teaching material (books, photocopies, CD).
• Accommodation for 13 nights in the Genoese Villa Voulamandis House with breakfast (air-conditioning, double room shared with another student, bath, shower, LCD TV, free Wi-Fi, fridge and kettles).
• A dinner at the end of the course in a typical Greek tavern or at Voulamandis House.
EXTRAS FOR SINGLE ROOMS AND FOR FRIENDS OR RELATIVES
If you wish to have your own room there is a supplementary charge. There is also an extra fee if you wish to share a double room with a friend or a relative who doesn’t want to attend the courses.
- Single room Easter at Chios, 1st and 2nd period + € 220
- Double room Easter at Chios, 1st and 2nd period + € 250
ONE WEEK COURSE
Those without the possibility of staying for 2 weeks in Greece can choose a 1 WEEK COURSE, being the first week of every 2-week intensive course (day 1 till day 7, check in Sunday, check out Sunday). Please indicate the one week package type you desire (beginners, intermediate, advanced). The one week courses take place in the following dates:
EASTER AT CHIOS 21 APRIL TO 28 APRIL 2019 ONE WEEK PACKAGE 690 EURO
1ST PERIOD CHIOS 01 SEPTEMBER TO 08 SEPTEMBER 2019 ONE WEEK PACKAGE 690 EURO
2ND PERIOD CHIOS 15 SEPTEMBER TO 22 SEPTEMBER 2019 ONE WEEK PACKAGE 690 EURO
THE ONE WEEK PACKAGE includes:
• The course: 20 hours of lessons divided into 5 days with native teachers with experience in teaching Greek as a second language. After the 5 days of tuition there is one free day dedicated to various cultural activities and excursions (optional).
• All teaching material (books, photocopies, CD).
• Accommodation for 7 nights in the Genoese Villa Voulamandis House with breakfast (air-conditioning, single room, bath, shower, LCD TV, free Wi-Fi, fridge and kettles).
ONLY TUITION: For students who desire to attend the course without the accommodation the fee for the TWO WEEK COURSE is 590 EURO and for the ONE WEEK COURSE is 390 EURO.
ONE MONTH COURSE
It is possible for students to attend two periods in Chios and have an intensive Greek language course for one month.
ENROLMENT REQUIREMENTS
A minimum number of 4 participants per level and a maximum of 8 students per class is required. However, it is up to the Institute whether to run courses with a fewer number of students. If a class (level) has less than 4 students, the teaching hours will be reduced to 3 hours per day if there are 3 or 2 students, or to 2 hours per day (private lessons) if there is 1 student for the same course fee.
OFFERS
For friends or for couples who wish to attend the TWO WEEK COURSE there is a discount of 10% in the tuition fee. For students who wish to attend TWO PERIODS (ONE MONTH COURSE) there is a discount of 10% in the tuition fee. Group enrolments (3 or more participants) of the same level have a discount of 15%. Returning students have also a discount of 10% in the tuition fee.
TRIPS AND TOURS – EXCURSIONS
Our teachers will be available to accompany and guide you in the most historical and characteristic places of the island. The cost per person is 20 € and a minimum of 4 persons is required. You can choose one or more of the following excursions:
EXCURSION 1: Visit the medieval village of Pirgi and Mavra Volia beach
EXCURSION 2: Nea Moni, Avgonima, Anavatos and Elinda beach.
EXCURSION 3: Volissos, Shrine of Aghia Markella, Aghio Gala, Managros beach.
EXCURSION 4: Medieval village of Mesta and Agia Dynami beach.
EXCURSION 5: Medieval village of Olympoi and Vroulidia beach.
EXCURSION 6: Daskalopetra (Homer’s stone), Moni Mirsinidiou, Chios town and castle
EXTRAS
SPECIAL PRICES FOR OUR STUDENTS (FOR EARLY BOOKING)
Rent a motorbike 1st period € 10 / per day Rent a motorbike 2nd period € 15 / per day Rent a motorbike 3rd period € 10/ per day Rent a motorbike 4th period) € 10 / per day
Rent a bicycle 1st period € 8 / per day Rent a bicycle 2nd period € 10 / per day Rent a bicycle 3rd period € 8/ per day Rent a bicycle 4th period € 8 / per day
PAYMENT
Bank transfer to Alexandria Institute (Athens). Please contact us for bank details at welearngreek@gmail.com or +30 6972 526 788 or at +30 215 525 8787
DEADLINES :
Deadline for registration and payment TWO MONTHS before the beginning of the course.
REGISTRATION
For registration or information about the Greek language and culture course at Chios, please fill in the registration form or contact welearngreek@gmail.com or +306972526788 (Greece) or at ++30 215 525 8787
GETTING TO CHIOS – LOCATION
The program will be held at Voulamandis House (Voulamandis House, Kalvokoressi 117, 82100 Chios. http://www.chioshotel.gr/)
Getting to Chios is easy and cheap. Fly from major European cities to Thessaloniki with Ryanair (http://www.ryanair.com/en/flights-to-thessaloniki/) and with Astra Airlines from Thessaloniki to Chios (http://www.astra-airlines.gr/frontend/index.php?chlang=EN).
There are also daily flights from Athens (Olympic Air and Aegean Airlines) and charter flights from Amsterdam and Brussels (Thomas Cook and Transavia). You can also flight to Izmir (Turkey), take the shuttle from the airport to Cesme and then, the boat from Cesme to Chios.
In summer there’s at least one ferry daily from Piraeus. Chios is also connected with other Greek islands (Lesvos, Samos, Ikaria, Syros etc.). There are also daily boats from / to Cesme (Turkey).
FLIGHTS AND FERRIES TO CHIOS
Charter Flights http://www.thomascookairlines.com/ (Amsterdam, Brussels)
Thomas Cook Brussels – Chios – Mytilini – Brussels
Transavia Amsterdam – Chios – Mytilene – Amsterdam
Scheduled Flights Olympic Airlines (From/To: Athens – Lesvos – Samos – Rhodes – Thessaloniki) Connecting flights with all major European Cities www.olympicair.com
Aegean Airlines (From/To: Athens. Connecting flights with all major European Cities) http://www.aegeanair.com
Astra Airlines (to/from Thessaloniki and Athens) http://www.astra-airlines.gr/frontend/index.php?chlang=EN
Extra info at Athens International Airport (Schedules, Real time flight information) http://www.aia.gr
FERRIES Hellenic Seaways From/To: Piraeus – Mytilene (Piraeus – Chios) http://www.hellenicseaways.gr/
NEL Lines From/To: Piraeus – Mytilene – Lemnos – Thessaloniki – Kavala (Piraeus – Chios,) http://www.nel.gr/
Oinousses – Chios Lines From/To: Oinousses Daily
Agia Marini Lines From/to: Psara (Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun)
Sunrise Tours From/To: Cesme (Turkey) Daily, Departure from Chios island early in the morning and deparure from Cesme port in the afternoon. http://www.sunrisetours.gr/
Kanaris Tours From/To: Cesme (Turkey) Daily, Departure from Chios island early in the morning and departure from Cesme port in the afternoon. http://www.kanaristours.gr/
Erturk Lines From/To: Cesme (Turkey) Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Departure from Cesme port early in the morning and departure from Chios island in the afternoon
Extra Info about Ferries Timetables OpenSeas – FORTHcrs All ferry schedules, Online ticket reservations http://www.openseas.gr/
Greek Travel Pages All ferry schedules, Online ticket reservations http://www.gtp.gr/ For your tickets to/from Chios you can always consult a local travel agency or visit any of the above mentioned websites.
