Location

Greece is an incredible venue for a TEFL course. The stunning island of Ios, or Nios as it is known by the locals, lies South in the Cyclades islands between Naxos and Paros to the North, Amorgos to the East, Santorini in the South and Sikinos, Folegandros and Milos to the West. It has an area of 108 square kilometers and a tiny population of 1,500 people. The island can be reached from Piraeus by ferry all year round.

Ios is also connected by ferry with Crete, the Dodecanese island complex, and many other Cyclades islands, mainly during the summer period.

The name Ios probably comes from the Ionians, but nobody knows for sure. Archaeological excavations show the presence of an early Mycenaean settlement, the most important prehistoric settlement found on the island, located on a hill near the entrance to the port.

Ios is renowned for its relationship with the great epic poet Homer. Tradition tells us that Homer was buried on the island - there’s a ruin at Plakoto, known as Homer's tomb. Chora, the capital of the island, stands near the site of the ancient city of Ios.

As with the other Cyclades Islands, the Venetians were there at the beginning of the 13th century)and left a fortress behind, built in the 15th century. Before then, the island was a part of the vast Byzantine Empire and this influence is seen in the island's countless churches. In 1537 Ios was occupied by the Turks. Finally, in 1832, the island became part of Greece.

Nowadays, Ios has become a popular meeting place for young people from all over the world. This young crowd comes to Ios to enjoy the deep blue of the sea, the shining sun and the frenzied nightlife. But the gates of the Ios paradise are open not only to the young, but to everyone. Once you are there, you will make a promise to yourself to come back next year!

Many believe that Ios is the most beautiful island in the Cyclades. The pretty little chapel of St Irene at the entrance to the harbour, the town of Chora, white above the harbour, climbing up a hillside, with a chapel at the top-all this at once creates this impression.

During the daytime you can enjoy swimming in fantastic beaches such as the famous Mylopotas (one of the finest in Greece and probably the island's most popular), Manganari (a vast golden sandy beach, at the southern extremity of the island), Ayia Theodoti (an excellent secluded beach, about 10 km from Chora) and Psathi (a beautiful deserted beach at the eastern part of the island).

You’ll probably want to explore the village of Chora at some stage, with its narrow alleys, white houses, windmills and tiny chapels and then enjoy dinner either in the spectacular harbour of Ios, or in gorgeous Chora.

Then there’s the world famous nightlife of Ios. The starting and ending point is Chora, with its countless bars, pubs, clubs and discotheques. The multicolored and multiethnic crowd participates into this game of fun - all those present quickly become exclusive members of an international family.

Ios has a lot to offer even the most demanding visitor. The imposing landscapes, the picturesque settlements such as Mylopotas, beautiful beaches like Manganari and Ayia Theodoti, the tomb of Homer and of course the lively nightlife, has made Ios an increasingly popular destination. Ios is a place of the ultimate freedom, but any description never does justice to the reality. There is only one answer: come and experience Ios for yourself by signing up for the TEFL International course in Greece.

Links:

http://www.ios-live.gr/
http://www.ios-island.com/
http://www.greekisland.co.uk/ios/ios.htm
http://www.greeka.com/cyclades/ios/index.htm
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide
/destinations/europe/greece/
http://www.webtourist.net/touristinformation/
about-ios-greece.html

About The School

Our school is located in Chora, or Ios Town is in the only real village on Ios. The school is on the western side of the island, twenty minutes walk from the Town port.

The TEFL International school on Ios, Greece, was set up in 2003.

The mission of the school is:

• To offer its students the opportunity to acquire English as a Foreign or Second Language in a creative learning environment.
• To help students get acquainted with cultures and regions of the world where English is the main language of communication.
• To prepare students for success in world-wide acknowledged EFL/ESL certification exams (e.g. the Cambridge FCE or CPE exams, the Michigan ECCE or ECPE exams, etc.)

Accommodation

During the low season we can rent a pension for you, where you have your private room but may need to share a bath.

Housing prices:

• 300 euros for a private room (October to June)
• 300 euros for a shared room, 500 euros for a private room (July to September)

Course dates

• 3 March - 28 March 2008
• 7 April - 2 May 2008
• 5 May - 30 May 2008
• 2 June - 27 June 2008
• 7 July - 1 August 2008
• 4 August - 29 August 2008
• 1 September - 26 September 2008
• 6 October - 31 October 2008
• 3 November - 28 November 2008
• 1 December - 26 December 2008
  
  
• 5 January - 30 January 2009
• 2 February - 27 February 2009
• 2 March - 27 March 2009
• 6 April - 1 May 2009
• 4 May - 29 May 2009
• 1 June - 26 June 2009
• 6 July - 31 July 2009
• 3 August - 28 August 2009
• 7 September - 2 October 2009
• 5 October - 30 October 2009
• 2 November - 27 November 2009
• 30 November - 25 December 2009

Course Fees

• Deposit: US$ 500 (£250)
• Balance of course fees: 920 euros (£630)
• Accommodation: 300 euros ( £200) and up

Ios, Greece - Map: Click here for the map