THE DIRECTOR OF STUDIES

dr.agnes.katsianos

Dr. Agnes Katsianos, Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics

“The lucky students are the ones whose teachers acknowledge that they, too, are travellers and still have far to go”

Dr. Agnes Katsianos has been a teacher trainer for many years. She has founded the Agnes Katsianos School of Foreign Languages and has been the Director of Studies for over four decades. She studied Teaching and Methodology of English as a Foreign Language at Aston University, Birmingham, (UK). She also holds an MA in English Language Teaching from the same university, which had challenged her to clarify her assumptions and intuitions about second language acquisition. She holds a PhD in Applied Linguistics (New Hampshire University, USA). She has taken part in various talks and events held by the University of Cambridge both in England and in Greece and has contributed to FCE and CPE format modifications. She has written the book Fit for Proficiency and numerous booklets and leaflets to support both the students and teachers of her school. She has offered her suggestions and advice to several publications for textbooks and grammar books.

Throughout her career, Dr. Agnes Katsianos is committed to helping her students become autonomous and independent students through a variety of activities. A dedicated and thoughtful teacher for years, Dr. Agnes Katsianos is interested in further investigating the research and theoretical foundations related to student autonomy.

Dr. Agnes Katsianos thesis focused on teachers’ beliefs about their students’ capacity to become autonomous learners. According to her supervisor,  professor Christine Niakaris, her approach was not only well researched but also “driven by her love of teaching.” Among the reflective tools she uses are peer and self- observations, the keeping of classroom diaries, and webinars. Dr.  Agnes Katsianos has also instituted annual research reflection projects at her school. For these projects, her teachers gather classroom research data, which are analyzed and discussed at monthly meetings at the school. The projects have already begun to make an impact. ”It’s amazing,” she says, “to see your teachers developing into teacher-researchers in your school, who strive to be open to new ideas, make improvements when and where they can, and have the humility to say ’I could do better”  .  

In Dr. Agnes Katsianos’ view, the role that the Director of Studies has always had in promoting teacher development is even more crucial in this new era of English-language learning. In most cases, it is the Director of Studies who will guide teachers on the road to self-evaluation and stimulate the teacher to become empowered and more resourceful. These efforts, she says, will be recognized by colleagues and students alike, contributing in the end to the school’s welfare and success. “The lucky students,” she says, “are the ones whose teachers acknowledge that they, too, are travellers and still have far to go.”

ACADEMIC CONSULTANT

Dr.Maira.Katsianou

Dr. Maira Katsianou, PhD, Medical School of Athens 

Academic Consultant of Agnes Katsianos School

Dr. Maira Katsianou was born and raised in Athens in a supportive educational family. She completed her circular studies with honors at the American College of Greece (Pierce College), while through Panhellenic examinations she was admitted to the Department of Chemistry of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, from where she graduated with honors. She pursued postgraduate studies in neurobiology and neurodegenerative diseases, MSc in Molecular Medicine (Brunel University, London, UK) and MRes in Clinical and Translational Medicine (University College London, London, UK) with honors.

 

Her research interests focus on neurolinguistics, neurodegenerative diseases, brain and skull development, and neurolinguistic programming.

Her passion for education led her to participate in the entrance exams of the Department of English Language and Literature of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (she was distinguished as the first among the other participants) and she is a current student in the English Language and Literature Department (BA student).

She is an English teacher with many years of experience in teaching English. In parallel with her studies, she has done the teaching training methodology course, has participated in a wide range of teacher development projects and has been a teacher in Agnes Katsianos School for a long period.  She is a member of the research team of Agnes Katsianos School as a TESOL teacher in exam classes and is the coordinator in the design and organization of the educational material.

She has a keen interest in foreign languages – she speaks English, French, Italian fluently and has a basic knowledge of German. Her motto is: enthusiasm in the classroom, love for children and colleagues and research! Every student and their brain is unique. Therefore, every teacher must adapt his/her teaching methods to these needs. Every child has their own way of learning, as long as we discover it!