Abstract
The results of the international student assessment programm PISA, organized by the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development), have been widely discussed in Greece for the last 15 years. The mass media and experts have labelled the achievements of the Greek pupils and consequently the Greek education system as weak. While Finnish students achieved either in the first or in the first places, Greek student appear either near or below the global average in all five surveys have been completed. Aim of this study is to compare qualitative the approach of language teaching in the Finnish compulsory education (class 1-9) with language teaching in the Greek public compulsory education. Specifically, we will try to answer the following questions: What are the main differences and similarities in language teaching in both countries? What are the main advantages and disadvantages in this issue in both countries? What suggestions can be made? The results obtained from this study have shown that it is required to move to specific changes in the approach of language teaching in Greece.
Reflections on Language Teaching based on a “Journey” through the Greek and Finnish Educational Systems