Young, Sara Rachel Jane; (2014) The Impact of the Economic Crisis on English Language Teaching in Greece: a Case Study of a Language School. Masters thesis (M.Res), UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

The ongoing financial crisis and subsequent austerity measures imposed on Greece have impacted heavily on the country. While recent studies have highlighted the effect on health and other social services, the domain of education remains under-researched, especially in the field of EFL (English as a Foreign Language) provision. Due to the long-standing deficiencies in the state education system, most EFL students attend private language schools (frontistiria); in a time of economic crisis this presents certain challenges for the students and the frontistiria themselves. A case study approach was used to explore this issue. The investigation identified certain ways in which a single language school is being affected by the crisis. Non-payment of school fees can be seen to have resulted in delayed salary payments to the staff, while student exam choice has also been influenced by the current economic situation. Insights from behavioural economics and theories of decision making under uncertainty were drawn upon to help in understanding choices made by stakeholders at the school. Bourdieusian notions of linguistic capital were also utilised and behavioural economic theory applied to these conceptualisations of capital. The study suggests that with private EFL tuition still in demand, the school and its stakeholders are adapting old ways to respond to a new situation.

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