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How 15-Year-Olds Learn English in Greece: Insights from PISA 2/4
Educational and Linguistic Context
Greece has a diverse linguistic landscape, with Greek as the official language and significant exposure to other languages due to its immigrant population and tourism industry. English holds a prominent place in the Greek education system and society, viewed as essential for employment, education, and cultural interaction.
Learning English in Schools
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Curriculum Integration: English is integrated into the Greek curriculum from pre-primary education (age 4) through to upper secondary education (age 18). This long duration of English education is aimed at achieving high proficiency levels (B1/B2 by the end of lower secondary education and C1 by the end of upper secondary general education).
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Resources and Teaching Methods: English lessons in upper secondary schools typically follow official textbooks, but teachers often supplement these with digital technologies and other materials to address different student needs. However, large mixed-ability classes and limited resources pose significant challenges.
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Private Language Education: Private, non-formal education (e.g., private language centers and tutoring) is widespread in Greece and is seen as crucial for language certification, which is highly valued in the job market. This parallel system, however, highlights inequalities as not all students can afford private education.
Exposure to English Outside of School
Students in Greece are exposed to English extensively outside school through media (films, series, podcasts, books), the internet, social media, and interactions with tourists. This exposure significantly enhances their language proficiency. Students often use English for entertainment and information-seeking purposes, preferring it for its perceived higher-quality content.
Motivations and Attitudes
Students and teachers in Greece recognize the importance of English for future opportunities. This strong sense of relevance and motivation is a key driver of English learning. However, there is a desire for more curriculum hours and better integration of English learning within the formal education system to reduce the reliance on private education.
Report on Greek FindingsOverview
The study on how 15-year-olds learn English in Greece highlights the country’s comprehensive approach to English education, the significant role of private education, and the various factors influencing English proficiency among students.
Key Findings
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Integration and Curriculum: English is a compulsory subject from an early age, with a structured curriculum aimed at high proficiency levels. Recent reforms have lowered the starting age for English education and increased its importance in upper secondary education.
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Challenges: Despite the structured approach, challenges such as large class sizes, mixed-ability groups, and limited resources persist. Teachers strive to address these through supplementary materials and digital technologies.
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Private Education: Private language centers and tutoring are prevalent, driven by the need for language certification. This creates disparities as not all students can afford private education, leading to gaps in abilities within the classroom.
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Extracurricular Exposure: Students’ engagement with English outside school significantly boosts their proficiency. Activities such as watching English media, using the internet, and interacting with tourists provide practical language use opportunities.
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Motivation and Relevance: The perceived importance of English for future career and educational prospects drives student motivation. There is a strong societal belief in the necessity of English proficiency, which is reflected in parental support and student attitudes.
Recommendations
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Increase Curriculum Hours: To reduce reliance on private education and ensure all students receive comprehensive English education, increasing curriculum hours for English in schools is essential.
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Resource Allocation: Improving digital and other resources in schools can help address the challenges of large, mixed-ability classes and provide more personalized learning experiences.
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Certification Integration: Integrating language certification preparation within the school system can help ensure all students have equal opportunities to demonstrate their English proficiency.
By addressing these recommendations, Greece can enhance its English education system, ensuring more equitable and effective language learning outcomes for all students.
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