Our students’ reviews

I took a two-week intensive course at Ellinisti and confidently recommend this school to anyone serious about improving their Greek.
Maria, who runs the school, is a gifted language teacher. She draws on a background with Ancient Greek as well as years of experience teaching the modern language.
Lessons were scrupulously paced: When it was necessary to tap the brakes and do review, that’s what happened. When there were opportunities to race ahead, we did that, too. Maria knows just how much to push to help you meet your goals without getting discouraged. She also helps you to celebrate your progress along the way. It’s a good thing, too: Greek is not an easy language, and as a wise guy said, there’s no royal road.
Materials were apt. The textbook for my course was modern and pragmatic, and it provided helpful context for each round of grammatical refinement.
Maria greeted me each day with Greek coffee and a delightful rotation of sweets. Don’t be fooled by the unfortunate English name of the “sour cherry”: Call it “βύσσινο” and “νόστιμο”.
I also got the chance to visit with Maria’s husband Makis and their son Giorgos. If Zeus is still keeping score on how guests are looked after, this family has nothing to worry about. I was touched by their efforts to welcome me and introduce the island that they call home.
Tinos in November is off-season, and while some restaurants and attractions take a pause, there are still plenty of worthwhile options. The weather is not unpleasant, but Tinos’ famous wind is crisp and persistent: Pack a scarf.
Note that the school is now located in Tinos Town (δηλαδή η Χώρα Τήνου, ευχαριστώ Μαρἰα!), just off the old port, and looking out on it.

What can I say? I had such a brilliant week brushing up on my Greek skills with Maria at her gorgeous school, which overlooks the ocean on the beautiful island of Tinos. Maria is a wonderfully kind, patient, and fun teacher, and we shared so many laughs together during our lessons. She’s truly one of a kind! My (very rusty) Greek improved so much, even in just 5 days of classes. The social activities she organised for us throughout the week with some fellow students were also a great way to meet new people, and learn more about the history and culture of the island. Huge thanks again to Maria, Makis, and Konstantina. We can’t wait to come back again soon. Φιλάκια από την Αυστραλία! x

What a great experience! What a lovely island! What a great teacher Maria is! The Greek lessons with Maria were so intensive, joyful, structured and helpful. Within the first of two weeks, I progressed very fast and developed so much self-confidence to speak. And not only the lessons, but also the excursions in the afternoon such as hiking to Volax and Agapi or the handmade soap workshop were such an intensive (learning) experience I will never forget and had there the chance to use the Greek I have learnt in the morning directly in the afternoon in real life. After a very personal e-mail contact, I realised fast, that the lessons with Maria will fit perfectly my needs (speak more, repeat grammar, do also some business Greek) and after a placement test which Maria sent to me some weeks before the 2 weeks course started, I was eagerly looking forward to coming to Tinos and start with the course finally! Maria gave me helpful instructions where to find a nice accommodation on Tinos and I felt in great hands even right before the beginning. The lessons were so effective I will definitely come back and now will continue during winter with Maria online as I would like to go for a B1/B2 exam next year and I know the preparation with Maria will be the best for this goal. Maria’s school named Ellinisti is located at the village Agia Varvara even having view towards the sea and the beautiful mountains which is easy to reach from Tinos City, Porto, Agios Fokas by bus or car. Bus stop is just 2min walk away. The teaching room is bright, nice and perfectly suits a good classical learning atmosphere. Come to Tinos, find out, experience this beautiful island and find your own voice in the Greek language – with Maria you will soon!! Update 2022: I continued the lessons during winter with Maria and she prepared me very well for the official language certification and test in May hold at university for the B1 level – result ? Of course with success as Maria did several tests with me in all parts of the test writing listening speaking reading and always was eager to help me for all areas I needed. Amazing! Bravo, Maria!

I was in a Modern Greek course in Ellinisti in Summer 2022. I had a great experience. Ellinisti team teach Greek with passion and take care of you so that you enjoy your stay in Tinos in all aspects. I feel I have improved a lot my Greek, written and spoken. Appart from the class, there were cultural activities with visits to amazing spots in Tinos. The location of the school is in te center of Chora, with great views of the port and the sea from the balcony of your class. Tinos is a fantastic island to spend some time, much less touristic than Santorini or Mikonos, and with great beaches and traditional villages. If you want to learn or improve your Greek and enjoy a great time in a wonderful place, go for Ellinisti at Tinos!

Very good concept, classes according to the individual levels of the students, the teachers are well trained, very supportive and know how to explain Greek grammar. This is combined with biweekly outings in the area. You get to see places on the island, meet other students, learn a bit about the island. Tinos is a very beautiful island, with very nice beaches, landscapes and real good hiking trails .

I spent ~3 weeks with Maria from Ellinisti, doing zoom lessons almost every day, and she is a genuinely fantastic teacher. She prepared really helpful exercises for me to complete after each lesson, completely individualised to (a) help me clarify errors I’d made during the lesson, and (b) repeat things from previous lessons to make them stick. She also made copious notes from each lesson so all the material we had covered each time was and is available for me to use. Not only a great teacher but a wonderful person, I thoroughly enjoyed my lessons and absolutely recommend her teaching if you’re wondering whether to go ahead!

I have completed a two week intensive course with Maria and enjoyed it immensely! Maria is a consummate professional – supremely attentive, patient and an extraordinarily skilled teacher. She was able to instantly gauge my competence level and adjust the tuition to suit. I enjoyed the excursions with her and her husband Makis massively, in the process I have also fallen in love with this majestic island!’

‘Nous avons pris des cours de grec en famille cet été à Tinos avec Maria. Super découverte, Maria, en plus d’être très sympa, est très professionnelle. Elle transmet sa passion d’enseigner le grec avec patience et enthousiasme, c’est très motivant. Aussi bien pour les grands que pour les petits. Avec nos deux enfants, de 5 et 7 ans, elle a su être très pédagogue avec une approche très ludique. Elle avait organisé deux activités sur l’ile, ce qui nous a permis de mieux découvrir ses habitants ainsi que des coins moins connus. Bravo et merci. Nous ne pouvons que recommander Cette expérience.’

‘Excellent teacher, we had a really good time!’

‘Last month I attended two weeks intensive Greek course at Ellinisti – Greek language & Culture in Tinos. I really learned a lot. Maria is an excellent and competent teacher and a very kind person. I enjoyed the lessons, always interesting, motivating and clearly structured.
The outdoor activities with Maria and her husband Makis were great too. Hiking through the beautiful Tinos Island and visiting traditional Tavernas was an amazing experience.
I highly recommend it to all those who want to learn the Greek language and get in touch with the local culture.’

‘Chez Tinos Courses vous trouverez une enseignante professionnelle et aux petits soins. Elle s’adapte à votre niveau et à vos besoins. Le matériel et la salle sont top. Enfin, étant moi aussi enseignant, j’ai apprécié énormément son travail sur le vocabulaire et ses paroles d’encouragement. Un seul regret, devoir quitter cette île magnifique… Bravo pour ton travail María !! Να είσαι καλά!’

‘I’ve just completed a series of one-to-one classes with Tinos Courses and I can honestly say that, after trying a number of Modern Greek classes both in Greece and the UK, this has been by far the most enjoyable and productive.
The material Maria uses is interesting, varied and very well designed. But more than that, Maria adds her lively personality and genuine warm interest in teaching. So whether you’re a non-Greek speaking home-owner here, or just looking for a holiday experience to give yourself closer experience of the Greek language and culture,
I thoroughly recommend Tinos Courses.’

‘Great experience! The course was perfect, with interesting lessons and lots of activities outside the class. Not only is Maria a very good teacher, but she is also a very nice person who helped us to get to know the history, the traditions and the natural environment of a beautiful island. We went to Greece looking for a teacher and we found a friend!’

‘My individual course with Maria was specially tailored to my needs. Maria could get across the language in a very competent manner and her warm and friendly character added to the overall learning experience. She is efficient, well organized in her preparation and very motivating. Her classroom is very well equipped for both group or individual courses. Unfortunately, I attended my course for a very limited time during my holiday in Tinos but I could still benefit enormously from her input. I will definitely be back for more lessons with Maria next year, and for a longer period.

‘Last month we (my wife and I) attended in Tinos one of the best language courses we ever attended. Our teacher Maria, although she was really young, was an exellent δασκαλα for us: well prepared, clear, empathic and kind.
Her lessons were always exciting, interesting and never boring. We also did some amazing excursions around Tinos (such a beautifull island!), its paths, its villages and its tavernas and festivals. During our stay in Tinos, thanks to Maria and her husband Makis, we had also the possibility to understand more about that Country, its people and its culture.
I strongly recommend this experience to all those who want to get in touch with Greece, its huge culture and its fantastic people.‘

‘I really enjoyed the Greek lessons with Maria. It always started with coffee and Greek pastries! Maria is very professional, attentive, well organized and flexible.

‘Excellent teacher, great experience. Strongly recommend it!’

‘We have been learning Modern Greek with Maria for a few months while we’ve been on Tinos during 2017, and we are amazed at the huge progress we have already made through lessons that are lots of fun, really interesting, and no pain at all!
Maria is an excellent teacher, mixing detail of grammar with essential conversation phrases in an easily digestable balance. Apart from her language teaching prowess, when you spend time with Maria it is also a privilege to learn so much about Greek culture, Greek people, the country and particularly the island of Tinos. She has already made us feel much more like locals!
We also want to recommend the trips and visits that she organises, they are a perfect way to get to know the island and its culture with someone who is personally and deeply involved with the island and who knows so many of the islanders.’