The Greek School System: Vocabulary and the Panhellenic Exams
The stages of education in Greece, the vocabulary of schools, cram schools (φροντιστήρια) and the national university entrance exams, plus phrases for parents and students.
If you're enrolling a child, studying in Greece or reading the news, the vocabulary of Greek education is useful.
The stages
- ο παιδικός σταθμός — nursery, day-care
- το νηπιαγωγείο — kindergarten (from age 4)
- το δημοτικό — primary school (six years)
- το γυμνάσιο — lower secondary school (three years)
- το λύκειο — upper secondary school (three years)
- το πανεπιστήμιο (ΑΕΙ) — university
- το ΙΕΚ — vocational training institute
Compulsory education in Greece runs through the gymnasio, up to about age 15.
People
- ο μαθητής / η μαθήτρια — pupil
- ο φοιτητής / η φοιτήτρια — university student
- ο δάσκαλος / η δασκάλα — primary teacher
- ο καθηγητής / η καθηγήτρια — teacher (secondary), professor
- ο διευθυντής — headteacher
- ο συμμαθητής — classmate
Places and things
- το σχολείο — school
- η τάξη — class, classroom
- το θρανίο — desk
- ο πίνακας — board
- η βιβλιοθήκη — library (also bookcase)
- το τετράδιο — notebook
- το βιβλίο — book
- η τσάντα — school bag
- το μολύβι / το στυλό — pencil / pen
School life
- το μάθημα — lesson, subject
- το διάλειμμα — break
- οι εξετάσεις — exams
- το διαγώνισμα — a test
- ο βαθμός — grade
- η βαθμολογία — marks
- η εργασία / τα μαθήματα για το σπίτι — homework
- οι διακοπές — holidays
- η γιορτή — school celebration (e.g., 25 March and 28 October parades)
The school year starts in mid-September with a blessing service (ο αγιασμός) and ends in June.
Cram schools
Το φροντιστήριο (cram school) is a private tutoring centre attended by many pupils after school, especially in the lyceum, to prepare for exams. It's a widespread part of Greek education, and φροντιστήρια and private tutoring (τα ιδιαίτερα) represent a significant family expense. Many languages are learnt in φροντιστήρια ξένων γλωσσών (foreign-language schools), with exams for certificates.
The Panhellenic exams
Οι Πανελλήνιες εξετάσεις are the national exams taken at the end of lyceum, and results determine admission to Greek universities through a competitive ranking system. They're a major milestone, a stressful time for families and a national event, with exam papers and results featured in the news.
Higher education
- το προπτυχιακό — undergraduate degree
- το μεταπτυχιακό — master's
- το διδακτορικό — doctorate
- η σχολή — faculty, school
- το τμήμα — department
- το πτυχίο — degree
- η υποτροφία — scholarship
Public universities in Greece charge no tuition for standard undergraduate degrees for eligible students, though costs of living apply.
Useful phrases for parents
- Θα ήθελα να γράψω το παιδί μου στο σχολείο. — I'd like to enrol my child at school.
- Τι ώρα ξεκινά το σχολείο; — What time does school start?
- Πώς πάει το παιδί μου στα μαθήματα; — How is my child doing?
- Χρειάζεται φροντιστήριο; — Does he/she need extra lessons?
Learning tips
- Learn the stages in order.
- Note that γυμνάσιο and λύκειο are secondary schools, not "gym" or "lyceum" of other countries.
- Practise school phrases for enrolment.
Common mistakes
- Thinking γυμνάσιο means a sports hall.
- Confusing καθηγητής and δάσκαλος.
Look up school and study words with English Greek Dictionary →
English Greek Dictionary
Offline English–Greek dictionary with meanings in proper Greek script
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