If you are looking for an online Greek school for kids that follows the Greek curriculum and fits around a British school week, HellaSchool is worth a look. It is a Greek List member, and it teaches Greek to children of the diaspora in small groups from home.
Most Greek families in the UK know the feeling. The kids speak English all day at school, Greek is the language of the kitchen and of the phone calls to yiayia, and somewhere around Year 3 the gap starts to show. They understand more than they say, and they say more than they can read or write.
Greek supplementary schools in England have long helped with this. Researchers at Bangor University have even studied the language skills of Greek and English bilingual children attending Greek supplementary schools in England. The challenge for many families is simply logistics: the nearest school may be an hour away, Saturday mornings are already full, and not every area has a school at all.
That is where an online Greek school for kids changes the picture. The lesson comes to your living room, so the commute disappears, and it does not matter whether you live in Croydon, Manchester or Edinburgh.
HellaSchool was set up by a group of Greek teachers with one goal: to support Greek education abroad so that children can learn Greek as their mother tongue. On their website they say the programme follows the Greek school curriculum and is adapted to each pupil, with a main focus on children aged 6 to 12 from the diaspora. Teenagers and adults who love the language are welcome too.
Alongside grammar, reading and writing, lessons bring in Greek culture: mythology and history, traditions and customs, national studies and art. Levels run from A1 and A2 up to B1, B2 and C1, C2, and the school prepares pupils for the Greek Language Proficiency Certificate for those who want an official qualification.
According to the school, classes are small, with up to 4 pupils, grouped by similar age and level of Greek after a short online interview. Each pupil has one 90 minute lesson per week at a fixed day and time. The timetable covers Europe, America and Australia, and weekend options are mentioned, which is handy for UK families with after school clubs.
The price shown on their website is 95 euros per month, the same for every level. Please check the current details with the school before you enrol, as prices and timetables can change.
How to start: HellaSchool begins with an online level assessment. You can book it on their website, email in**@*********ol.com or use the contact details on their Greek List listing.
A few questions can help. Does your child already understand Greek but hesitate to speak? Do you want a teacher who is not a parent? Would a small group keep them more engaged than a big class? If you answered yes, an online format with 4 pupils at most is a sensible thing to try.
Many Greek List readers also tell us that a regular lesson gives children a reason to use Greek with other kids, not only with relatives. That social side is often what makes a language stick.
Does my child need to speak Greek already? No. The school says pupils are placed in groups after an interview, so a child who understands a little and one who is already fluent can each find a suitable level.
Is an online Greek school for kids only for the UK? No, the timetable covers Europe, America and Australia, so cousins abroad could even learn Greek in the same way. For UK families, the evening and weekend slots are the ones to ask about.
How long before we see progress? That depends on the child, and nobody can promise a result. A weekly routine and some Greek at home are what teachers usually ask for, and the school will talk you through the level assessment before you commit to anything. Ask about a trial or a first lesson when you get in touch.
If you are comparing options, an online Greek school for kids is one choice next to Saturday schools and private tutors, so think about travel time, group size and your own budget.
Christmas is the best time of year to put new Greek to use. If you are flying to Athens, Thessaloniki or an island for the holidays, your child can order for themselves, read the signs and chat with cousins. Greek List member Vozis Travel can help with flights and holiday packages to Greece, so book early for the festive period.
Speak a little Greek at home every day, even five minutes at dinner. Read Greek picture books together, and let children choose the songs. Mark Greek name days and Easter as proper family events. Small habits do more than one long weekend session.
Looking for places where your children can hear Greek outside the classroom? Browse the most complete list of Greek events in the UK, and list your own event for free.
HellaSchool is a Greek List member. More than 100,000 Greeks and Cypriots in the UK read us every month through the site, the newsletter and the Ellines sto Londino group, and member listings rank first on Google. Add your business and be found by them.
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