The Centre for the Greek Language (CGL) has been operating since 1994 as a research institute based in Thessaloniki. It is a non-profit, state-run organization supervised by the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs. The Centre is dedicated to the description and documentation of trends in the Modern Greek language, both domestically and internationally. It also serves as the official state institution for providing the State Certificate of Attainment in Modern Greek.

Our Mission

Research on Greek language and literature
Research on language strategy and policy
Certification of attainment in Modern Greek
Creation of teaching material, and initiatives to promote the Greek language
Support for the language needs of returning emigrants and Greeks living abroad
Assistance for teachers of Greek language both on Greece and abroad

These objectives are carried out through research programs conducted by the Centre’s four scientific departments: Lexicography, Linguistics, Support and Promotion of the Greek Language, and Language and Literature.

CGL’S ACTIONS FOR THE DISSEMINATION AND PROMOTION OF THE GREEK LANGUAGE

Certification of Attainment in Greek

With more than 160 examination centers around the world (in Europe, the United States, Canada, South America, Africa, Asia, and Australia) and approximately 9,000 candidates in 2024, the Certificate of Attainment in Greek plays a vital role in promoting and disseminating the Greek language, especially abroad. These centers—comprising University Chairs of Greek Studies, Greek Language Departments, Coordinating Offices, foreign schools, and local Greek communities—serve as key hubs for the promotion of the Greek language globally.

Training of Teachers in Greek as a Second/Foreign Language (L2)

The distance training course Routes in teaching Modern Greek, is one of the longest-running and more stable programs of its kind. It consists of eight modules that focus on the broader and on the more specialized fields of knowledge required for teaching Greek as L2.Since its inception in 2006, 3,500 trainees have participated, forming a dynamic and skilled resource for teaching Greek both in Greece and abroad.

Research on the teaching of Greek as L2 Abroad

Since 2023, D.EL.EXO (ΔΕΛΕΞΩ = Διδασκαλία της Ελληνικής στο ΕΞΩτερικό /Teaching Greek Abroad) has been operating under the auspices of the Centre for the Greek Language. This special interest group aims to foster an international forum for scientific mobility, collaboration, critical reflection and discussion of research and policy related to the teaching of Greek worldwide, providing a relevant organizational framework.

Reference Framework for Teaching Greek as L2 Abroad

The project “Utilization of the Internet for the promotion of the Greek language and its teaching outside Greece” (currently under approval) aims to establish a comprehensive reference framework. This framework will provide digital resources and tools to support those teaching or learning Greek outside of Greece, while also fostering communities of special interest.

Resources and Tools for Greek in digital form

Since 1999, the CGL has been committed to digitizing resources for the Greek language. It offers a range of free, high-quality digital resources and tools, mainly through its Portal for the Greek Language and other digital platforms, which are widely used by educators and the public. Central to this initiative are the digital dictionaries, which cover the full evolution of the Greek language and its specialized usage. CGL’s freely available linguistic data sets are crucial for strengthening the presence of the Greek language in digital environments, and, today, for training AI conversational models.