Why obtain this certification?

Until recently it was not possible for many people born outside Greece, who spoke the language to some degree, to possess a formal certificate that would objectively demonstrate the level of their linguistic competence. Unless one went to University and acquired a degree in Modern Greek it would not be possible to seek and acquire a widely recognized certification by any particular institution, especially at basic and intermediate level. This certification process is intended to cover the gap and provide a formal and recognizable qualification at all levels.

The certification is particularly relevant for citizens of the European Union who may wish to seek employment in Greece. Under European law any citizen of the 15 EU countries can live and work in Greece, which means that 350 million people have the right to seek employment in the public or private sector. Of these only a fraction may be either native speakers or persons with university degrees proving proficiency in Modern Greek. For other persons who may need to prove to their potential employers in Greece, or in a Greek-speaking environment abroad, that they know the language to a sufficient degree this certification is the most appropriate way.

Many Greek-Americans - or as a matter of fact Germanic, Iberian, Anglo-Irish, Italian or Scandinavian - Americans, Canadians, Australians etc. - are in a similar situation as those Europeans who live in Europe at the moment. The laws of their lands of origin normally allow them to acquire citizenship of these countries. Greek law certainly allows near descendants of Greek immigrants in the US to acquire a Greek passport and work in Greece. In cases like this an employer in Greece will certainly ask, in addition to qualifications related to the nature of the job, a level of proficiency in the language. This Certificate will provide unambiguous and easily recognizable proof of linguistic proficiency.

For example, a person with Certificate Level C possesses enough knowledge of the language to be admitted as a student to a Greek-speaking University, while a person with Certification at Level D can seek employment in the public or the private sector in Greece without further questions on their linguistic competence.

Certification at junior levels (A and B) is also highly recommended as preparation for the more complex tests at higher levels, as a goal to strive for, and an incentive for proper study of the language at these critical stages.

For parents who want their children to speak Greek well and properly it may be a very good idea to encourage them to take the certification, for example, at Level A when they are 13, at Level B when they are 15, at Level C, when they are 17, and at Level D when they are 19. This rate of progression would be realistic, and would guarantee that before the age of 20 one possesses good knowledge of the language, and a formal Certificate to verify this fact for all official purposes.