On Thursday, 2 July 2026, the ‘Panagiotis Kontos’ Modern Greek Language Teaching Centre of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens welcomed eleven principals and teachers from Charter Schools across the United States. The visit was part of the University’s international engagement strategy and provided an opportunity to explore future collaboration in support of the Greek language and bilingual education.
The visit to Greece was organised by the General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy as part of its wider efforts to promote the Greek language internationally. The initiative aims to strengthen ties with the diaspora and support Greek-language education, both of which are central to Greece’s cultural and educational diplomacy.
The delegation included representatives from Odyssey Charter School, Archimedean Academy, Socrates Academy, Plato Academy Schools, Hellenic Classical Charter Schools, and members of the American Federation of Teachers. During the meeting, they presented the educational philosophy, objectives and curriculum of their schools, highlighting their contribution to innovative bilingual education in the United States.
The Modern Greek Language Teaching Centre introduced its work, including its educational and research activities and international partnerships. Particular emphasis was placed on the Centre’s leading role as one of the most widely recognised institutions for teaching Greek as a second or foreign language. Its long-standing expertise spans adult education, in-service teacher training, the development of teaching materials, and international academic collaboration.
Discussions also focused on the Charter Schools’ efforts to strengthen Greek-language education in the United States, as well as on opportunities to establish a long-term strategic partnership with the Centre. Areas of potential collaboration included professional development for teachers of Greek as a second or heritage language, the design of specialised educational programmes, the development of collaborative networks linking students and schools in Greece and the United States, initiatives designed to support families in maintaining and developing Greek-language skills, and the organisation of summer schools alongside student and teacher exchange programmes.
The meeting took place in a positive and constructive atmosphere and reaffirmed the parties’ shared commitment to building a meaningful, long-term collaboration. It also highlighted the important role that the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens can play as a strategic academic partner by providing scholarly expertise to Charter Schools and supporting the continued development of Greek-language education in the United States. Through these initiatives, the University continues to promote the Greek language and culture among younger generations of the Greek diaspora, while strengthening its engagement with the wider American educational community.
