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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE] · [CULTURE]

2 clusters · 11 sources · 6 days · First seen · Last updated

Language certification and education in Greece

Overview

Investigations have been launched into a language certification scandal in Greece involving the potential distribution of fraudulent or low-quality certificates. The Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE) and the Greek Supreme Council for Civil Personnel Selection (ASEP) raised concerns regarding aggressive advertisements promising rapid English proficiency certificates for fees between 500 and 1,500 euros. ASEP President Thanos Papaioannou warned that these practices, which allegedly allow individuals to receive certificates via courier without attending examinations, undermine the integrity of public sector hiring and merit-based recruitment.

In response to the broader landscape of language education and certification, certain initiatives are emphasizing formal, recognized standards. For example, EKEDIM Theochariopoulos provides remote English courses offering TIE certificates that are recognized by both ASEP and OFQUAL, utilizing remote proctored examinations. Concurrently, local educational projects, such as those at Kleidi Elementary School, have focused on promoting multilingualism and cultural diversity through creative student engagement.

Entities

ASEP · EKEDIM Theochariopoulos · Association of Language Testers in Europe · Daren Perret · Thanos Papaioannou

Timeline

  1. [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Language education initiatives focus on certification and multilingualism in Greece

    Greek educational efforts range from EKEDIM Theochariopoulos offering ASEP-recognized remote English certifications to Kleidi Elementary students creating a song to promote multilingualism.

  2. [INTERNATIONAL] 9 sources
    ALTE and ASEP investigate language certification scandal in Greece

    ALTE and ASEP are investigating a systemic scandal in Greece involving fraudulent language certificates promised in as little as three days for fees up to 1,500 euros, threatening public sector hiring integrity

Sources

alfavita.gr · blogs.sch.gr · dnews.gr · foititikanea.gr · fouit.gr · gargalianoionline.gr · ilialive.gr · olympia.gr · powergame.gr · real.gr · rethemnosnews.gr