The Greek Education Ministry announced plans this week to modernize foreign language learning programs in schools, aiming to strengthen communication, digital skills, critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity among students.
The updated curriculum, to be developed in partnership with the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, marks a nationwide shift in language teaching. It will be gradually implemented, setting a new standard for foreign language education across all levels of primary and secondary schooling.
At the heart of the reform is a proposal by the Institute of Educational Policy (IEP), which will oversee the development of learning objectives for English instruction beginning in the early primary years.
“This reform strengthens foreign language education at its foundation. Our goal is to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world,” said Education Minister Sofia Zacharaki.
The first major change includes the enhancement of English in the first and second grades of primary school. For the first time, instruction will be guided by clearly defined learning outcomes that outline what students should know, understand, and be able to do by the end of each stage. These benchmarks are aligned with both national and European educational standards.
The reform is part of a broader overhaul of the Unified Curriculum for Foreign Languages, extending to later primary grades, lower secondary education, and upper secondary schools.
It should be noted, that Greeks are among the most fluent non-native English speakers in the world with the country ranking 8th among 116 regions and territories in the EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI).
