Winter long term Greek language course in Greece
Intensive long-term (6-8 week) winter Greek language courses for students of all levels. For the winter of 2026 we are scheduling the course from February 15 – March 29, 2026 (X6 weeks). Although you can also enroll for a long-term (up to 8 weeks) course in our summer Greek courses that we offer from April to October, we have created a special category of long-term 6 – 8 week winter courses that we offer from October to April. These courses differ from the summer courses in terms of class hours/week, activities, etc.
In the long-term winter courses, small classes of 1 – 4 students are formed. If necessary, private lessons can also be given (one student – one teacher) but we cannot enroll a student in a private lesson from the beginning. Small classes guarantee group homogeneity. In addition, for the best homogeneity of the group, before confirming your registration we will need to have a short online meeting to see together your Greek skills and plan the curriculum.
Duration
Lessons are given for two hours (120 minutes) every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings (90:30 – 11:30 or 12:00 – 14:00). If there is only one student in the class the time is reduced to 90 min / lesson. There are no classes on Wednesdays and weekends. There are also no classes during national holidays. Students get homework after each lesson, which they should work on for another two hours at least, before the next lesson.
Is it an intensive Greek language course?
The course is intensive. There is no break, also the “one and a half hours” are real 120 minutes, not “teaching hours”. Language schools give their program in teaching hours, which means 45 minutes/hour. 120 minutes of teaching is 2,5 teaching hours. In addition to this, our lessons are challenging because students are constantly engaged in trying to practice the vocabulary and grammar structures they learn each time. For this purpose we use a wide variety of language games, both to consolidate grammar and vocabulary. During the lesson, the students do not attend lectures about the use of the language by the teacher. Instead for 120 minutes they speak using the grammar and vocabulary they learn, and are corrected by the teacher.
Activities
You can participate in the activities we organize: excursions and hikes in the mountains of the area, cooking evenings, traditional dance classes, lectures and discussions about the history and lifestyle in Greece and Ikaria, visits to local artisans, evenings with Greek songs or cinema, participation in festivals and events of the local community.
Food
We offer simple meals for lunch 4 times a week, every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Although we sometimes serve meat or animal products, if you are vegetarian or vegan you will not have any problems with your diet. The food is served for the whole group and mealtime is an opportunity for communication and getting to know each other better.
Local transport
There is no public transportation in Ikaria and taxis are expensive and not always available. We facilitate the transportation of our students to nearby settlements and the port of Evdilos. For an additional cost of ~3 Euros / day you can have a 5-seater car at your disposal as a group, for the entire duration of your stay. The cost of gasoline is shared between the members of the group who use the car.
Cost
455€ / week / student
The price is per person, there is no discount if your room with an other student you travel with. The cost covers the lessons, course materials, accommodation in a private, double occupancy room and food (as it is described above)
Accommodation
You will have a private room in the Center’s guesthouse, next to the classrooms. All rooms have private bathroom, kitchenette, wifi and heating. A shared kitchen and a small library / study room, where one can read or work, are also available to students 24 hours a day. Follow the link for more information about the rooms and life at the guesthouse
Accommodation outside Ikarian Centre
You can choose to stay outside the Center, in Arethousa or the wider area of Evdilos, but there is no reduction in tuition fees for this. However, we can arrange for your free transportation from Evdilos (where there are hotels and aibnb) to the Center to participate in the lesson.
If a friend will visit me?
You can share your room with a person you are traveling with, at a cost of 20% of the regular cost/day (45X20% = 9 Euros additional cost / day). This additional cost is paid to Ikaria and is based on the actual number of nights your fellow traveler stays.
Comparison between long term winter course and intensive 2 weeks courses
| Description | Long term | Intensive short term (2+ weeks) |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule | It takes place from January to end of March | Several 2 week courses take place from April to November |
| Minimum duration of participation | 6 weeks | 1 week |
| Maximum duration of participation | 10 weeks | 8 or more weeks |
| Airport pick up | Yes | Yes |
| Local transport | Transfers are organized by the Centre. Additionally, shared use of an 5 seat car with an additional cost of ~3€ / day / person X whole period of stay. Students pay for the petrol. | Transfers to the nearby villages and beaches are organized by the Center |
| Meals and breakfast | Simple meals (lunch) are offered every Mon, Tues, Wed, Friday. Breakfast is not served | Simple meals are served and are included to the cost of the course. Breakfast is not served |
| Activities | Activities are also organized | Activities are organized in daily basis (almost every day) |
| Class hours | 120 min/day (90 min/day for one student in the class) | 120 min/day |
| Class days | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday (4 days / week) | Monday to Saturday (6 days / week) |
| Students / class | maximum 4 | maximum 4 |
| Accommodation in private double occupancy room with private bathroom and kitchenette | Yes, it is including in the cost | Yes, optionally included in the cost |
Register
Choose the appropriate level and register for long term winter course starting on Feb 15th 2026, for 6 weeks
Registration must be followed by payment of the accommodation fee (1428 euros). A final confirmation that the course will take place will be sent by December 20, 2025. After this deadline, the accommodation fee is non-refundable, however you retain the right to use this amount to re-register for a course within the year or the following year. If the course is cancelled due to low participation, we will refund the full amount of the accommodation.
After registering you will have a 10 min telephone or online call with us to evaluate your level and confirm that the course will be appropriate for you.
