Teacher of Greek as a second or foreign language with many years of experience on different methods and projects. Bilingual writer and host teacher in Athens .

Find out more about Popy

• Do you speak this language fluently because of your origins or because a teacher inspired you to learn?

  I am a teacher of Greek as a foreign language and I am Greek born in Athens and raised in Plaka where I went to school. I was so happy and full of energy to see the view of Acropolis every morning .Since then I decided to work with my language not only like simply teaching it, but also transmitting the vibe of “touching” the magnificence.

• Can you name a living, historical or fictional character that you think is the emblematic representative of the language's culture?

  I love Theodosis Tasios ,an academia person who has successfully combined Engineering and Hellenic Humanities. I admire him as an outstanding figure who has taught thousands of engineers but also involved with matters of Philosophy, Education, Language and Society. I have attended several of his speeches and seminars and I am amazed of his wide range of knowledge and way of teaching.

• Is there a typical word, phrase, tradition or behaviour in the language that you particularly like?

  I like the word θ-έρως. Ιt is a very summery word because it is a beautiful combination of the old word θέρος=summer and έρως/eros=love. I assume it is a very inspiring word which one can imagine ,smell and feel the meaning.

• Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  I find Greek a clever language due to the fact there are many connections with meanings and ways of thinking. There is always something behind each word which can lead you to a storytelling. Also the language itself sounds melodic and many Greek songs have made people willing to learn the language.

• What is the main difficulty in learning this language and what can help the process of learning?

  Language learning means patience and insistence. It is true that Grammar makes it difficult sometimes but still it needs sort of a reasonable explanation and practice to fully immerse into learning it.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your language learning or your days at school.

  I remember when I was at school I loved Ancient Greek Literature. In this lesson we did Ancient Tragedies and analysed them. I was so good at it but the teacher was so strict and she used to tell me that even if I am good at writing and comprehending I had no talent to read like an actor so I could not be perfect. I used to “see” this teacher in my dreams for a long time and even now when I go to the performances in Ancient theatres I focus on the actors’ voices.

• How has travel or a specific trip helped you to increase your skill and knowledge of the language?

  I travelled to Brussels in 1998 to be awarded for my program on Teaching Greek as a Foreign language where I took part in many activities and language meetings. I found it very inspiring since I met a lot of teachers and got to know many languages from small ,local places and regions, however there was such enthusiasm and work for all the languages to survive and offer a great deal of those little elements which enrich the whole world. That was a very refreshing “push” for my teaching journey.

• What makes you a Superprof in language?

  I see myself an a non stop learner and also as one who likes combining lots of methods to teach. I like holistic approaches. Arts and expressive writing ,clay and messy play, storytelling and roleplay are some of the ways I use to help and inspire the students.