Bridging 4,000 years of Greek language

Between ancient texts and everyday conversations

Thessaloniki, where Nikos lives, reflects his teaching approach – a city where Byzantine churches stand alongside modern cafés, where the ancient and contemporary coexist naturally. “It’s a city that brings together antiquity and the medieval period,” he explains. “You can see churches from the Middle Ages, mosques, and many historical buildings all in one place.”

This sense of connection across time defines Nikos’s relationship with his language. Having studied Greek literature, theology, translation, and linguistics in Sweden, he developed a unique perspective on what makes Greek special. What might surprise outsiders is that his passion for ancient texts began when he discovered they weren’t just philosophical works, but included novels and tales that revealed what ordinary Greeks enjoyed 2,000 years ago.

“There isn’t just philosophy in ancient Greek literature – there are also novels and fairytales,” he says. “It’s fascinating to see what people preferred to read in their free time two millennia ago.” When asked about the most common themes in these ancient works, he smiles: “Love stories. That’s the most frequent topic.”

Creating living language in virtual classrooms

Despite his academic background, Nikos’s teaching style is refreshingly practical. Rather than treating Greek as a museum piece to be studied under glass, he creates scenarios where students can use the language as it’s spoken today. “I try to bring students into contact with the contemporary language,” he explains. “In class, we learn the everyday language, not university Greek.”

His most memorable teaching experience happened during an online market simulation. “The scenario was that we were at the open market – what we call ‘laiki’ in Greek, which takes place once a week,” Nikos recalls. “We could buy vegetables and fish very cheaply. I tried to create dialogues with the students, asking questions and giving answers. I was selling fish, for example, and they wanted to buy fish.”

What might have been a simple vocabulary exercise transformed into an engaging piece of impromptu theater. “It was very nice that the students had fun with this short performance,” he says, clearly pleased with how the virtual market came alive.

Adapting to each student’s journey

Unlike teachers who follow rigid curricula, Nikos tailors his approach to each learner. “I don’t see teaching as something fossilized,” he insists. “I don’t do the same thing for every group or individual lesson. Each person is different.”

This flexibility extends to handling the varied challenges his students face. “There are students who aren’t as quick, either because the grammar is new or because German isn’t their native language,” he explains. “And there are students who ask more questions – they want clearer explanations of the grammar.”

His adaptability stems from understanding that language learning isn’t just an intellectual exercise but a deeply personal journey. Some students connect more with the cultural aspects, others with the logical patterns of grammar, and still others with the musicality of speech.

Beyond the classroom: travel, cinema, and cooking

When he’s not teaching, Nikos enjoys traveling throughout Greece and neighboring countries. “The Balkans, Turkey, and Greece are interesting to me,” he says, drawn to regions where cultures have mingled for centuries.

His favorite destination within Greece is Delphi – “a mysterious and very ancient place” that he recommends everyone visit. This appreciation for sites where history feels tangible connects naturally to his teaching, where he tries to make a 4,000-year-old language feel immediate and accessible.

At home, Nikos enjoys cooking when time permits, particularly on weekends. His specialty is “giouvetsi” – a traditional dish of meat baked with pasta in the oven. “It’s a bit difficult to cook,” he admits, but the challenge is part of the appeal. Like language teaching, cooking traditional recipes requires both respect for established methods and the confidence to adapt when necessary.

Sharing culture beyond language

What distinguishes Nikos’s approach from other language teachers is his commitment to sharing Greek culture alongside vocabulary and grammar. “After class, I try to send PDFs with an account of Greek cultural history,” he explains. While the lessons themselves focus on practical language skills, these supplementary materials help students understand the broader context.

He particularly values introducing students to traditional Greek songs. “There are very interesting legends that survive today as songs in Greece. We don’t know exactly how old these legends are,” he says, “but I recommend my students listen to the songs. Sometimes I send them the words in German so they can understand the Greek soul.”

This blend of practical language instruction and cultural immersion creates a richer learning experience. For Nikos, teaching Greek isn’t simply about transferring information – it’s about inviting others to participate in a living tradition.

The moments that bring him the greatest satisfaction are deceptively simple: “The most beautiful thing is when I see my students speaking Greek,” he says. “It’s very nice when someone else learns your mother tongue and tries to pronounce it correctly. I find that simply beautiful.”

In a world often fixated on the new and novel, Nikos’s work bridges past and present, connecting learners not just to a practical skill but to a cultural heritage that continues to evolve after four millennia. For this dedicated teacher, that ongoing conversation is worth preserving, one student at a time.