Job Shadowing in Chania, Crete

Two of our teachers went on a job shadowing experience in Chania, Crete, Greece from March 31, 2025, to April 4, 2025.

Here you find their experience.

"During our job shadowing period at the IV Liceum of Chania, as part of the Erasmus+ program, we had the opportunity to observe several lessons in different subjects: Ancient Greek, Modern Greek Literature, Citizenship, Latin and English.

What immediately struck us was the interactive and dialogic teaching style. Teachers encouraged spontaneous student participation, fostering a dynamic and inclusive atmosphere. The use of the interactive whiteboard (IWB) was seamlessly integrated into the lessons, with the help of multimedia resources such as videos and exercises.

During the Ancient Greek lesson, for instance, students presented the Greek tragedy Antigone by Sophocles, identifying the themes and values of the masterpiece and relating them to those of modern society.

In another Greek lesson, in addition to the textual analysis of the historian Xenophon, students were encouraged to interpret and contextualize the text historically. The text was thus used as a source to delve deeper into the topic of the Peloponnesian War and the subsequent period of the Thirty Tyrants.

In the Citizenship class, we saw a role-playing activity in which students actively participated, sharing opinions and engaging in discussions on the importance of social responsibility and equality. The teacher acted as a facilitator, guiding the discussion and stimulating critical thinking.

As teachers of comparative literature, we were especially moved by the analysis of the famous poem Ithaca by Konstantinos Kavafis, a text we had only known through its Italian translation. Being able to grasp the metaphors and deeper meanings of the text through its original language allowed us to truly understand the lyrical self that the poet sought to express.

During the English lesson, we were particularly impressed by the fluency and confidence of the students. The class was conducted entirely in English, and students discussed civil rights topics in groups. They demonstrated excellent communication skills.

The learning environment was always open and respectful, and the students consistently showed engagement.

During these days, we were also able to appreciate the natural and cultural beauty of Chania.

We sincerely thank Mrs. Eleni Menioudaki, Mrs. Stella Karagiannaki and all the teachers and students who welcomed us into their classes.

This experience has enriched our teaching perspective and confirmed the value of European educational cooperation and the Erasmus Plus Programme."

Paola Provenzano and Maria Elisabetta Albini