ALTE and ASEP investigate language certification scandal in Greece

language certification scandal ALTE ASEP English proficiency exams Greece public sector

The Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE) has raised alarms regarding a systemic issue in Greece involving the reliability of language certifications. Investigations suggest that fraudulent or low-quality language certificates are being widely distributed across the country.

Reports indicate that aggressive online advertisements are promising English Proficiency certificates in as little as three days or after only 30 hours of lessons, often claiming a 99% success rate. Furthermore, allegations have surfaced that certificates are being delivered directly to individuals via courier for fees between 500 and 1,500 euros, sometimes without the candidate ever attending an actual examination.

Thanos Papaioannou, President of ASEP (the Greek Supreme Council for Civil Personnel Selection), warned that these practices undermine the integrity of the certification system used for public sector hiring and promotions. ASEP is calling for immediate, intensified inspections and a shift toward testing actual language proficiency to protect the merit-based recruitment process in the Greek public administration.

Entities

ASEP · Association of Language Testers in Europe · Daren Perret · Goethe-Institut · Greece · Thanos Papaioannou

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 5 SOURCES] ASEP is calling for immediate increased inspections and a focus on testing actual language skills. www.powergame.gr · www.rethemnosnews.gr · www.foititikanea.gr · www.olympia.gr · www.real.gr
[● 5 SOURCES] Certain advertisements claim a 99% success rate for Proficiency level exams. www.olympia.gr · www.powergame.gr · www.rethemnosnews.gr · www.foititikanea.gr · www.real.gr
[● 5 SOURCES] Some advertisements promise English proficiency certificates in as little as three days or after 30 hours of lessons. www.olympia.gr · www.powergame.gr · www.rethemnosnews.gr · www.foititikanea.gr · www.real.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] Certificates are reportedly being delivered via courier for fees ranging from 500 to 1,500 euros without candidates attending exams. www.powergame.gr · www.rethemnosnews.gr · www.foititikanea.gr
[● 2 SOURCES] The certification system used for public sector hiring and promotions in Greece is being undermined. www.powergame.gr · www.rethemnosnews.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] ALTE has identified systemic and widespread issues regarding the reliability of language certifications in Greece. www.olympia.gr · www.powergame.gr · www.rethemnosnews.gr