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Sophia I.

Teacher, Founder, and Academic Supervisor 
of the Greek Online Academy

Γεια σας! I am Dr Sophia Ioannou. I am a linguist, a professional language educator, and the founder of the Greek Online Academy. I am passionate about language teaching pedagogy and the design of language programs based on the principles of linguistics and the findings of second language research. The Greek Online Academy venture has been my dream since I started my practice at the University of Athens’ Modern Greek Language Teaching Center during my MA and Ph.D. studies on “Teaching Greek as a Second Language”. I was excited to embrace the challenge of teaching a “complex” language to students of different backgrounds and to facilitate the process of learning by introducing the language in a fun and enjoyable way. In addition, I love working with language learners and I am motivated and energized by their goals. I also love working with language teaching professionals. I am eager to exchange experience and constructive feedback. I am delighted to work with my team of experts who are equipped with inspirational and innovative ideas and teaching practices.
Apart from teaching, I love traveling , experiencing the lifestyle of a digital nomad, meeting different cultures and reading psychology books.

If you need consultation, I’m looking forward to meeting you, discuss your learning goals and help determine the best language program for your particular situation. Please get in touch with me and I will contact you as soon as possible to schedule a consultation session.

Professional CV

Greek Online Academy
2021 - present
Language Instructor, Director of Language Programs, Academic Supervisor
Description: Curriculum and materials development and design, academic guidance and practical support to the Greek Online Academy team of professionals and students, language instructor.

University of Cyprus, School of Modern Greek
2017 - present
Special Scientist
Description: Language Instructor, Online Courses Coordinator, Curriculum design.

European University of Cyprus, School of Humanities
2017 - 2018
Greek Language Instructor
Description: Curriculum design and instruction of Greek as a Second Language for 1st and 2nd year non-native students at the School of Medicine and Dentistry.

Ministry of Education and Culture in Greece, "Odysseas" Educational Program
2013 - 2014
Greek Language Instructor
Description: Providing lessons of Greek Language, history, and culture for immigrants.

Alexander the Great School of Athens
2013 - 2016
Greek Language Instructor
Description: Teaching short-term programs of Greek language and culture for students who visited Greece for holidays.

Private practice on Online language learning and Platforms
2012 - 2022
Greek Language Instructor
Description: Teacher of Greek as a foreign language via skype or zoom.

Modern Greek Language Center of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
2011
Greek Language Instructor
Description: Tutoring support to beginner students of Greek as a Second Language, as part of the module "Practice in Classrooms" (4th semester of MA studies).

University of Athens, Department of Linguistics
2020
Ph.D. in Teaching Greek as a Second Language
Description: Thesis title: The Provision and Efficacy of Interactional Corrective Feedback in Greek as a Second Language (in Greek).

University of Athens, Interdepartmental Postgraduate Program
2012
MA in Teaching Greek as Second or Foreign Language
Description: Department of Linguistics and Department of Pedagogy. Dissertation title: "Corrective feedback and Learner Uptake in Greek a Second Language Classrooms" (in Greek).

University of Athens, Department of Classics, Faculty of Philosophy
2009
BA in Greek Philology
Description: -

Ioannou, S. & Tsagari, D. (2022) Effects of Recasts, Metalinguistic Feedback, and Students' Proficiency on the Acquisition of Greek Perfective Past Tense. Languages 7 (1), 40. doi.org/10.3390/languages7010040

Ioannou, S. & Tsagari, D. (2022) Interactional Corrective Feedback in beginner level classrooms of Greek as a second language: Teachers' Practices. Research Papers in Language Teaching and Learning 12, 7-25. ISSN: 1792-1244. rpltl.eap.gr/images/2022/RPLTL_issue12.pdf

Ioannou, S. (2020). Oral Corrective feedback in teaching Greek as a Second Language: exploring the relationship between teachers' stated beliefs and practices. Studies in Greek Linguistics 40, 643-652. https://ins.web.auth.gr/images/MEG_PLIRI/MEG_40_643_653.pdf

Ioannou, S. (2024). Providing Feedback. In B. Kantzou & M. Antoniou (Eds.), Teaching Greek as a Second Language (pp. 326–355). Gutenberg.

Fotiou, C., Ioannou, S., & Ayiomamitou, I. (2025). The challenges of learning Greek as an L2 in diglossic Cyprus: The students' perspective. In Sofokleous, S., Kontovourki, S., & Ioannidou, E. (Eds.), Proceedings of the Conference "Literacy and Contemporary Society: Creativity, Equality, Social Action" (pp. 411–419). Filoxenia Conference Centre, 4–6 December 2023.

Electronic Village Online, TESOL International Association
January 10 - February 13, 2022
Teacher Trainer, Moderator
Description: Language Assessment Literacy for Practitioners 2022. Organizers: Ece Sevgi Sole, Asli Lidice, Gokturk-Saglam.

Evaluation and Assessment Research Group, Faculty of Education and International Studies, Oslo Metropolitan University
April 5, 2022
Teacher Trainer
Description: Formative assessment seminar for Escola Oficial de Idiomas de Santiago de Compostela. Lecture title: "Corrective Feedback" (hybrid seminar).

EUROLTA Certificate in Language Teaching to Adults for foreign languages, including Greek as a Foreign Language

University of Cambridge
English: Cambridge English Proficiency C1

Instituto Cervantes
Spanish: B2

National Foreign Language Exam System
French: B2

Second Language Acquisition

Interactional Feedback in form-focused instruction

Language Assessment

Teachers' professional development

Teaching speaking

Scholarship for PhD studies offered by the National Foundation of Scholarships in Cyprus.

Press officer of the Cyprus Linguistics Society (Cyling)
Member of the Evaluation and Assessment Special Interest Group (ENA).
Member of the European Language Acquisition Association.
Member of The European Association of Language Teaching and Assessment (EALTA).

Testimonials

From zero to hero in just 6 months. The combination of tailored classes, full support, and absolute professionalism provided everything needed to comfortably pass my exams. Highly recommended.
Kanaan,
Lebanon
Course: Ellinomatheia exams
In only 3 months, we were able to cover the full curriculum and pass the exams from the first time. GoA also prepared us with mock exams which made us extra ready. Their interactive and thorough method of teaching was very pleasant especially after a long day at work.
Ziad,
Lebanon
Course: Ellinomatheia exams
Learning Greek with Fotini at Greek Online Academy was both enjoyable and motivating. Her energy, support, and deep knowledge of Greek culture made every lesson engaging, while the exam preparation was structured and effective throughout the process.
Natalia,
Russia
Course: Ellinomatheia exams
Sophia has made learning Greek a fun and engaging experience for our daughter over the past two years. She has a wonderful connection with younger students and knows how to keep lessons both enjoyable and effective for children.
Taso & Olga,
Switzerland
Course: General Greek
Sophia created a personalized learning plan that helped me prepare for my trip to Greece with confidence. The lessons were practical, engaging, and tailored to my level and interests, making learning both effective and enjoyable.
Gregory,
USA
Course: Traveller’s Crash Course
Sophia helped me feel much more confident in spoken Greek through practical, conversational vocabulary and real-life dialogue. Her lessons are tailored to each student's needs, making every conversation session both effective and genuinely engaging.
Katia,
Italy
Course: Speaking and Conversation