Author: Vasilios Fyntikoglou, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

I The story of teaching Classics in Greece
Since the establishment of the modern Greek State and until recently, Classics education has had a firm, continuous and eminent place in the syllabus of every grade in Secondary Schools. Due to particular historical reasons (eg, katharevousa, conservatism, dictatorship (junta)) Classics were closely associated with conservative social and political powers and for that reason became to a large extent repellent to liberal powers. The attempts for educational reform in the 60s and 70s (after junta), consistent with the new conditions and conforming to the demands of modern technology and vocational education, reduced conspicuously the teaching of ancient Greek and Latin. However, the teaching of modern Greek translations of ancient Greek texts was introduced, and this made a real contribution to students' acquaintance with the ancient world and ways of thinking.

The teaching of Classics always had a static and formal character, that was unattractive to students, and, strange though it may seem, a reliable and attractive manual was never published. Secondary education is controlled by the State and its directions are mandatory for the teachers (even in private schools). Two additional factors play an important role in the downgrading, if not disdain, of Classics: 1) the teachers are not graduates from Classics Departments (see IV) and 2) the teaching of Classics is compulsory for all students, irrespective of their background, abilities and interests.
         
All secondary schools share a common curriculum and special schools for Classics do not exist anymore. Students are interested in Classics only as a part of their examinations, after which they will move up to the next grade or will be admitted to the University. Only few of them have deep understanding of Classics and that is why their knowledge, even in departments of Classics, is quite unsatisfactory.

II The modern secondary school system in Greece
There are two levels in Greek secondary education. Gymnasium (ages 12-15, three grades) and Lyceum (ages 15-18, three grades). In Gymnasium, education is compulsory. Students pass to the next grade after examinations. After the 3rd grade they choose whether to attend the Lyceum, which gives them the opportunity to be admitted to university, or they turn to technological-vocational education.
         
In the 1st grade of the Lyceum, all students attend the same classes and move up to 2nd grade after examinations. In the 2nd and 3rd grades every student has to choose one of three groups of educational subjects (theoretical sciences, exact sciences, technological sciences). So every student attends classes of basic lessons that are common to all, plus some classes from the group that he/she has chosen. By the end of these grades students take state examinations which determine either moving up to the next grade (from the 2nd to the 3rd) or graduation as well as introduction to universities.

III Classical subjects within the secondary system of Greece
Due to historical and national reasons the emphasis of Classics teaching is on ancient Greek, while the teaching of Latin has been limited to a minimum.

Ancient Greek is taught in the Gymnasium as follows:

Original         
Language parts I, II and III (1st, 2nd, 3rd grade respectively) focus on short texts, vocabulary, grammar and syntax. Lessons occupy 2 hours per week.

Translation    
1st grade: Homer, selected passages from Odyssey and Iliad. Lessons occupy 2 hours per week.
2nd grade: Herodotus, selected passages and an anthology of ancient texts on the topic "Ancient Greece: Land and People". Lessons occupy 2 hours per week.
3rd grade: Euripides, Helen + Aristophanes, Birds. Lessons occupy 2 hours per week.

Ancient Greek is taught in Lyceum as follows:

Original         
1st grade: Xenophon, Hellenica (selected passages) - Thucydides (selected passages). Lessons occupy 2 hours per week.

2nd grade: Sophocles, Antigone (common lesson for all students). Lessons occupy 2 hours per week.

Rhetoric: Lysias, Against Mantitheus - Isocrates (selected passages) - Demosthenes (selected passages) and an anthology of Lyric Poetry (theoretical group). Lessons occupy 2 hours per week.

3rd grade: (theoretical group only) Philosophy: Plato - Aristotle (selected passages) and Thucydides, Pericles' funerary speech (2.34-46). Lessons occupy 3 hours per week.

Latin is taught only to the students of the theoretical group in 2nd and 3rd grades of the Lyceum. A book of 50 texts offers basic knowledge of Grammar, Syntax, Vocabulary.

IV How to become a teacher of Classics in Greece
This is the most surprising (and disappointing) side of the Greek educational system. Ancient Greek (and Latin) are listed under the title of "Philological Subjects" along with Modern Greek Language and Literature, History (Ancient, Byzantine, Modern, European) and Philosophy. All these subjects are taught by the so-called philologists, who can be graduates of any one of the three main departments of the faculties of Philosophy in Greece, eg, the department of Philology, the department of History and Archaeology and the department of Philosophy and Education. Every department has its own 4-year Programme. This means that Ancient and Modern Greek in secondary schools can be taught (and they are taught) by teachers who have not studied them, since these subjects are actually offered only at the department of Philology.
         
Any graduate of the above mentioned departments (as well as of other independent departments out of the faculties of Philosophy) can become a philologist and teach Classics in secondary schools, if he/she succeeds in the State examinations concerning a) two subjects, which the candidate chooses among the three: ancient Greek Language and Literature - modern Greek Language and Literature - History and b) theory of education and practice of teaching philological subjects.

V Further Information
There is further information (in modern Greek) on the following websites:
a) Pedagogical Institute http://www.pi-schools.gr
b) Ministry of Education http://www.ypepth.gr
A critical view of philological lessons in secondary schools (including ancient Greek) can be found at the website of the Centre for Greek Language, at http://www.komvos.edu.gr  

Special Note
Recently, the Pedagogical Institute has proposed the reshuffling of the analytical programmes of studies in High School, based on the principle of interthematics. In this framework, a lot of effort has been made so that the "bridges" that join the special teaching subjects will be secured, and their interscientific and interthematic approach will be achieved. This new perspective involves the use of ICT in Classics. For more information see:
http://www.pi-schools.gr/programs/depps/index_eng.php