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about our school

Welcome to Big Ben Language School. Over the 16 years since its foundation, Big Ben has become a presence in English language teaching in Chania. At Big Ben, we pride ourselves on ensuring that all of our students leave us not only with quality, formal certification but also with the ability to communicate fluently in English and the confidence to enjoy doing so.

All of the classrooms at Big Ben are fully equipped with interactive whiteboards and have full internet access, with equipment for both face to face teaching and hybrid teaching. At all levels, only English is spoken in the classroom and students are taught using experiential methods. Our material is all Cambridge based.

Juniors

Here at Big Ben, we tackle the first years of English language learning slightly differently.In the first year our students cover material from Junior A class with reinforcement from our own Junior B material. The purpose of this is to avoid having so much material that the children are overwhelmed and to ensure that there is time for revision and a solid foundation. The happy introduction to foreign language learning, with methodology designed to suit the needs of young learners.

A class

B class

Emphasis on basic reading and writing skills with methodology used by UK primary schools.
An introduction to more sophisticated grammar points with emphasis on structure.

C class

D/E class

All of the previous years’ knowledge put into practice with an emphasis on free project work.
The first year/s working towards formal certification with emphasis on oral fluency.

Lower class (B2)

Proficiency (C2)

A one-year class, consolidating learning until spring, diagnostic testing to establish students’ suitability for either Cambridge FCE or Michigan ECCE examinations, with examination practice in the final month.
For students wishing to attain a level of near native fluency, this class can last from one year to eighteen months for Cambridge proficiency CPE.

Juniors

Here at Big Ben, we tackle the first years of English language learning slightly differently.In the first year our students cover material from Junior A class with reinforcement from our own Junior B material. The purpose of this is to avoid having so much material that the children are overwhelmed and to ensure that there is time for revision and a solid foundation. The happy introduction to foreign language learning, with methodology designed to suit the needs of young learners.

A class

Emphasis on basic reading and writing skills with methodology used by UK primary schools.

B class

An introduction to more sophisticated grammar points with emphasis on structure.

C class

All of the previous years’ knowledge put into practice with an emphasis on free project work.

D/E class

The first year/s working towards formal certification with emphasis on oral fluency.

Lower class (B2)

A one-year class, consolidating learning until spring, diagnostic testing to establish students’ suitability for either Cambridge FCE or Michigan ECCE examinations, with examination practice in the final month.

Proficiency (C2)

For students wishing to attain a level of near native fluency, this class can last from one year to eighteen months for Cambridge proficiency CPE.

Our school is situated in a quiet neighbourhood just outside the town. There is plenty of space for safe parking, a nearby supermarket, a park, a chemist and walking areas.

The classrooms are all large and bright with natural light and air. They are all equipped with interactive whiteboards, projectors and all have a good internet connection.

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meet our staff

Despite having 34 years of teaching experience, both in UK state schools and here in Greece, I find myself constantly learning and developing alongside our students which is what makes Big Ben special.: We are all learning all of the time.

Teachers at Big Ben are all university educated with teaching licenses issued by the Greek state with native or near native English. We are all experienced and trained educationalists with enthusiasm and real passion for what we do. We all take part in regular training in order to be up to date with developments and organize in class and whole school activities such as theatre, community work and projects. We are never bored and therefore never boring!

Despite having 34 years of teaching experience, both in UK state schools and here in Greece, I find myself constantly learning and developing alongside our students which is what makes Big Ben special.: We are all learning all of the time.

Samantha

Teacher

Tim Perks, another of our founding teachers has been with us since 2011. Tim is from the UK and has 26 years of experience teaching TEFL especially at high stakes examination levels. He’s techy, a scientist and is always first in line for theatricals and dressing up. All this in combination with his British sense of humour.

Tim

Teacher

Dora Perogianni joined us at Big Ben in 2009 and already had many years of experience both as a teacher and as an examiner.  Born, raised and educated in Australia the home of Ayers Rock, she has become our rock which can be confirmed by students, parents and her colleagues.

Dora

Teacher

Sue Galanaki comes from New Zealand where, after graduating in Australia, she started her career as a teacher in Australian state schools. She is an oral examiner for some of the more important examination boards and an expert in teaching writing.

Sue

Teacher

Poppy Katsaouni, another Aussie, has thirty years of teaching experience and still loves children. Poppy is interested in developing her teaching methods and is instrumental in keeping the big Ben “family” to quote her own words, intact.

Poppy

Teacher

Maria Grifaki is our fresh, young talent. She knows everything there is to know about modern methods and online teaching. A graduate of the Department of English Language and Literature in Athens, Maria’s English is better than most Brits’ and her passion for teaching is inspiring.

Maria

Teacher