Experiential Greek Course, Walking & Community stays
24/7 full immersion experience focused on conversation
A comprehensive community stay experience in Ikaria, combining guesthouse accommodation with experiential Greek courses and indoor and outdoor activities like hiking – walking and cooking evenings. Our experiential Greek language courses are designed for those who want to practice their Greek in real-life settings: along Ikaria’s trails, during olive harvesting, at traditional dance lessons, and through the island’s famous festivals. Beyond daily interactions, two-hour daily conversation classes in small groups (4–8 students) focus on speaking and listening skills through guided language games and role-playing, moving away from traditional grammar instruction.
Duration
Sunday to Sunday, during selected weeks of the year. See below for levels and course schedule. Classes are held for 2 hours each day, from Monday to Saturday.
A typical day in the experiential Greek courses (April, October, or November)
Mornings are dedicated to outdoor activities with the teacher: hikes along local trails, olive harvesting (in autumn, if harvesting is taking place), and visits/discussions with locals. During these activities, you have the opportunity to practice your Greek in real-life situations.
In the afternoon, after lunch, you have time to prepare for classes. The day concludes with dinner, a traditional dance lesson, a Greek film screening, or a visit to a live music event or local festival.
A typical day in the summer experiential Greek courses
Mornings are dedicated to classes and study. After lunch, time is devoted to outdoor activities with the teacher: hikes in the area, visits and conversations with locals, as well as exploring the island’s beaches and, of course, spending many hours by the sea.
The day ends with a traditional dance lesson, dinner, and a Greek film screening, or by participating in one of the island’s traditional festivals.
The conversation classes
Classes are conducted as conversation-based sessions. They last two hours and take place in small, level-based groups of 4 students per class (up to 8 students at advanced levels). The focus is on spoken communication through guided language games and role-playing activities. Mistakes are identified and corrected by the teacher. Grammar is not formally taught during class; however, guidance and homework exercises are provided where necessary.
Benefits of the experiential Greek courses
Continuous interaction with the teacher during activities and meals, interviews with locals, and participation in local events allow you to immerse yourself in Greek and practice the language 24 hours a day in real-life conditions. Structured conversation classes help you correct mistakes, develop communication strategies in Greek, and improve your listening skills.
Can I come with a travel companion who does not speak Greek?
Yes, with an extra cost your companion can join us in all activities outside of class hours. During lessons, they may stay in their room, read a book, watch a movie, or enjoy a cup of mountain tea while taking in the stunning view from the guesthouse.
Accommodation
Staying at the Center’s guesthouse is a requirement and an integral part of the learning experience. You can relax while enjoying the breathtaking landscape and immerse yourself in the Greek language and local way of life. More information about the guesthouse is available.
Cost
The fee includes two simple meals per day, course materials, participation in activities, local transportation, transfers from the airport or ports (every Sunday), hiking, and other activities. Breakfast is not provided; participants can prepare their own breakfast in their room’s kitchenette or in the shared kitchen. See here for program pricing.
Levels, schedule, and registration
Each week, we may form different groups for the conversation classes depending on participants’ actual skills and needs. However, each week is open to students of specific levels. Based on your Greek proficiency, you can enroll in one of the following weeks
After registration, if you are not a returning student, we will arrange a short phone call or Google Meet conversation to confirm your placement at the appropriate level.
Beginner weeks
Complete beginners and A1 level (students with no prior knowledge of Greek, or those who can read and write and communicate at a basic level using only the present tense)
Intermediate weeks
Students who can talk about the past and future but struggle with fluency and accuracy, have limited vocabulary, and are not fully familiar with all verb tenses; as well as students who know verb tenses but lack the vocabulary needed to express abstract ideas fluently
Advanced weeks
For those with a broad vocabulary who can use grammar effectively but need more specialized vocabulary and terminology to communicate on specific topics (current affairs, profession, history, politics, society, culture, etc.) and to distinguish between different language registers (formal, informal, academic, etc.)
See also our intensive Greek language courses in Ikaria