The University Foreign Languages Centre and the Center for the Study of the Hellenic Language and Culture at the University of Ioannina successfully organised a staff training week in the framework of the Erasmus+ programme, entitled “New opportunities and challenges in foreign language teaching”. The training took place on Lefkas Island from 26 to 30 June 2017.

Seventeen (17) academics and university language teachers, from the following European Tertiary Academic Institutions, participated in the training week: Aalto University (Finland), Brunel University London (United Kingdom), COMUE Lille Nord de France (France), National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (Greece), University of Akureyri (Iceland), Università di Firenze (Italy), Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (Spain), University of Pécs (Hungary), University of Siena (Italy), University of Urbino Carlo Bo (Italy), Wrocław University of Technology and Science (Poland).

The training week included lectures on teaching Greek and English as foreign languages, teaching languages for specific academic and professional purposes, intercultural education, web tools for foreign language teaching and learning, distance learning and challenges in running and managing Foreign Language Centers. The participants had the opportunity to work in groups, exchange ideas, and experiences and discuss issues of common concern. Moreover, the participants had the opportunity to present their Institutions and develop inter-institutional co-operations.

The participants were warmly welcomed by the Rector of the University of Ioannina, Prof. Georgios Kapsalis, the Vice-Rector, Prof. Andreas Fotopoulos, and the Vice-Mayor of Lefkas on Education matters, Mr Filippos Kourtis.

The training week was an opportunity to promote the University Foreign Languages Centre and the Center for the Study of the Hellenic Language and Culture abroad. We are already in the process of establishing co-operations with the participants’ Institutions for future collaborations.

During the week, educational fieldtrips to museums and archaeological sites in Preveza and Lefkas were organised. The participants were also offered a guided tour in the city of Lefkas.

Dr Alexandra Galani, Senior Teaching Fellow in Greek as a foreign language, and Dr Theodora Tseligka, Senior Teaching Fellow in EAP & ESP, were responsible for the organisation of the Erasmus+ Staff Training Week.