17-08-16 Twelve students needed to create junior high school second foreign language class
The procedures for the selection of a second foreign language, following the inclusion of Italian in the curriculum, is detailed in an informational directive issued by the General Directorate of Studies.
The document notes the following:
Once junior high school principals - at schools where Italian literature teaches (PE 34) are definitively posted or will be posted for the 2016-2017 school year, permanently or temporarily – have informed parents or guardians of students about the procedures regarding the teaching of a second foreign language in the first year of study, the parents-guardians must submit to the school principal a signed note indicating the second foreign language the students want to study in junior high school (French, German, or Italian).
Having received the signed second foreign language choice declarations, junior high school principals will seek to ascertain, in cooperation with the teachers’ associations, whether it is feasible to create parallel instruction classes in the second foreign language. Regarding the establishment of parallel teaching of a second foreign language, the 2014 ministerial decision remains in effect.
That decision states that a minimum of 12 students are required to create a class, except in remote areas, where 10 students suffice. If the minimum number of students is not attainable, the students will necessarily be placed in the language class that can be formed at the school (137429/Γ2/02-09-2014 Ministerial Decision. (Government Gazette Β΄ 2406).
It should be noted that the choice of a second foreign language made in the first year of junior high school continues to apply in the ensuing years. Students may change their choice by the September 25, 2016 deadline.
Based on a July 22, 2016, Italian will now be taught as a second foreign language, parallel to French and German, in schools where Italian literature teachers are definitively posted.
The relevant directive may be read in Greek at the link below:
