Ellinomatheia

ELLINOMATHEIA INSTRUCTION AT PYTHAGORAS GREEK SCHOOL 
Exams for the Certificate of Attainment in Greek Language
Pythagoras Greek School offers the preparatory course for the Ellinomatheia exam on Saturdays, which has increased in popularity in recent years. Students who take the course prepare for an annual exam and if passed, receive the Certificate of Attainment in Greek, which is equivalent to the State Seal of Biliteracy. This is the only certificate of proficiency in the Greek language that is offered and recognized by the Greek state. It was established in 1998 by the Greek Ministry of Education in order to meet the demands of learners of Greek in Greece and abroad. The Certificate can be obtained at each of the six proficiency levels defined by the principles of the Common European Framework of Reference for Teaching Foreign Languages (CEFR). With this, students have an opportunity to earn High School and College credits!

The Pythagoras Greek School programs (Monday/Wednesday and Saturday) prepare students to participate in the examination for the Certificate of Attainment in Greek, Ellinomatheia Certificate, the only official title of proficiency in Modern Greek valid worldwide.

The Hellenic American Academy is formally accredited as the midwest region examination center for the Exams of Attainment in Greek Language, Ellinomatheia Exams, by the Greek Ministry of Culture, Education, and Religious Affairs and The
Center for the Greek Language.

Illinois and 10 more states recognize the Level B1 and all higher levels of Ellinomatheia Certificates as proof of language proficiency in Modern Greek. As a result, our students can submit the (translated) B1 Certificate to their high school to be awarded the
prestigious Seal of Biliteracy at graduation.
● State Seal of Biliteracy Frequently asked Questions Useful links

● Greek language Certification-General information
● Guide to the Examinations of Attainment in Greek ( English and Greek )
● Διαγνωστικά Τεστ Πιστοποίησης Ελληνομάθειας
● H πύλη για την Ελληνική γλώσσα : Internet portal for the study and teaching
of the Greek language. Center for the Greek language.

The official examination center for the Ellinomatheia Exams in Illinois is:
Hellenic American Academy
445 Pine Street
Deerfield, IL 60015
The Application Period is from February 1st to March 20th 2024.
We highly encourage candidates to apply online. See the link below.
The Exams will take place on:
● May 14th for levels A1 & A2
● May 15th for levels B2 & C1
● May 16th for level B1 & C2
An email will follow after the end of the registration period with details regarding policies and the duration of the exam per level.
Students will receive a letter of participation in the Ellinomatheia Exams so that they will not be considered absent from their regular scheduled classes.
If you need further information or have questions regarding the Exams please email the Hellenic Academy at ellinomatheia@haamail.net or call the Hellenic American Academy/ Ellinomatheia Examination Center at 847.317.1063 Tuesdays through Fridays 8:00am-3:00pm and Saturdays 9:00am-1:00pm

The Ellinomatheia Exams are organized by the Center for the Greek Language (CGL) in Thessaloniki, Greece. The CGL is a non-profit organization supervised by the Greek Ministry of Education to support, promote and organize the teaching of Greek as a foreign/second language in Greece and abroad and to publish educational material that

may contribute to the promotion and spread of Greek. Presidential Decree 363/98 assigned CGL exclusive responsibility to organize and administer the examinations for the Certification of Attainment in Modern Greek, the sole title of proficiency in Modern Greek valid worldwide.

Certificates are issued for candidates who successfully pass the exams at the following six levels of attainment in Greek: A1 (A1 for children 8-12 and A1 for adolescents and adults), A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2. The Ellinomatheia levels are linked to the
corresponding levels of the Common European Framework (CEFR). All language skills (comprehension of oral and written communication and production of oral and written communication) are examined at each level. The Ellinomatheia certificates Level B1 and above are officially approved by the Illinois State Board of Education for the prestigious Seal of Biliteracy Program. For further details regarding the Biliteracy Program, please follow the link
Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy .

Examination Center in Chicago 10030

Applications and fees The Applications period is from February 1st to March 20th 2024. In the past years, our Examination Center made several exceptions and registered candidates past the deadline in an effort to help candidates in our community who missed the deadline.

This year unfortunately, no exceptions will be allowed. ALL applications MUST be submitted by March 20th at NOON (GREEK TIME) where the online platform officially closes. Candidates are highly encouraged to apply online through the Center of the Greek Language online platform at https://www.greeklanguage.gr/certification/application/index.html

Please do not get discouraged to register online because the application is in Greek. The application can be also found in English: Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click “NEW APPLICATION” for English.

Alternatively, candidates can fill out the application form attached below and mail it to: Hellenic American Academy (attn. Ellinomatheia), 445 Pine Street, Deerfield, IL 60015,
or scan and email the application at ellinomatheia@haamail.net.

If you submit a paper application, please fill out the questionnaire (second document
attached).

Applications will be accepted upon receipt of payment proof. Payments can be made
by:

1) Check (addressed to Ellinomatheia) mailed to
Hellenic American Academy, 445 Pine Street, Deerfield, IL 60015

NO LATER THAN March 20th

2) Cash at HAA front desk.
3) Zelle the tuition in the email address accounting@haamail.net.

IMPORTANT: write the name of the candidate when submitting money with zelle.
Sometimes the name of one parent is different from the name of the candidate.

Credit card payment by calling our office at 847.317.1063 (daily from 9:00am –
12:30pm)

Please note that there will be a 3% credit card processing fee.

Refund Policy

Candidates can receive a refund by contacting the Director of the Chicago examination
Center until April 5, 2024. After that date, no refunds will be made.

Level Policy (A1 candidates please read!)

Only candidates who will be at least 8 years old on May 31st 2024 are eligible to
participate in the Examinations.

Candidates who will be over the age of 12 on May 31st, 2024 are not eligible to participate in the examination for Level A1 for children 8-12 years old (they can participate in the examination for Level A1 for adolescents/adults instead). There are no other age limits. However, candidates under the age of 16 are advised not to participate in the examinations for Levels B2, C1 and C2 because answering the exam
questions may require prior knowledge and experiences that young candidates do not have. If you have concerns about the level of examination that you would like to sign up for, please contact the Director of the Exams.