The exams for the Certificate of Attainment in Greek language were successfully completed at Macquarie University from May 23 to 25. The first day of the examinations was reserved for the levels A1 – A2, with B1 – C2 proficiency levels taking place the following two days. Almost 100 candidates sat for the exams during three consecutive days.
Macquarie University is the only certified Examination Centre for the Greek language certificate in NSW by the Centre for Greek Language (CGL) in Thessaloniki. The Discipline of Languages and Cultures of the Department of Media, Communications, Creative Arts, Language, and Literature (MCCALL) of Macquarie University is ranked 100-150 in Modern Languages worldwide in the QS 2023 Subject Rankings.
The Certificate of Attainment in Greek is the only official state certification confirming the knowledge of Greek as a foreign/second language at six levels, corresponding to the Common European Framework (CEFR) levels. It is recognised by all member states of the European Union, and also by NESA (New South Wales Education Standards Authority).
Dr Patricia Koromvokis, Lecturer in Modern Greek Studies and Head of the Examination Centre, said: “It is the second consecutive year that the exams for the Certificate of Attainment in the Greek language are carried out at Macquarie University.”
“Two things make me feel proud and give me the strength to continue: watching all the candidates with Greek and non-Greek background preparing, studying, and sitting for the exam and, secondly, all the passionate Greek language teachers who assisted with the exam procedure,” Dr Koromvokis added.
“I would like to sincerely thank MUGΑ, the Macquarie University Greek Association and Macquarie Greek Studies Foundation for providing lunch to all candidates and, of course, all the passionate Greek language teachers who assisted with the exam procedure!
“Special thanks to Adamantia Tserentzoulia who has been assisting in the organisation of the exams and to SICLE (Sydney Institute of Community Languages Education), with which we co-organised two informative seminars for the educators. We all work together as a team to maintain the Greek language in the diaspora. This effective teamwork has made Macquarie University the biggest examination centre in Australia. I wish all the candidates a successful result!”
The exams for the Certificate of Attainment in the Greek language are sometimes a common target by the whole family. We often see siblings or cousins sit for exams. This year a mother took the exams for the C1 level and her daughter for the B2.
The mother stated: “I first participated in the examinations last year purely for personal satisfaction and have since proudly received the Certificate of Attainment in the Greek Language. I was very impressed with the whole process from registering right through to the completion of the exams. The professionalism and warmth of Dr Koromvokis and all the examiners should be commended. They were brilliant.”
“This year I took the next level together with my daughter. It was something I genuinely wanted her to do and experience. It will be an advantage for her to have this Certificate for her future studies. We both found this whole experience at Macquarie University extremely rewarding. It was a wonderful opportunity to be a part of and look forward to continuing next year!” the mother added.
Her daughter who sat for the B2 level stated: “I thoroughly enjoyed my experience taking the Greek language exam at Macquarie University. The environment and staff were so friendly and accommodating. I was impressed when I saw my mother doing it and I thought it’d be an asset to have under my belt for the future. I have plans to study International Studies and even go back to Greece to work and thought this would be a great achievement to have”.
For more information visit the Macquarie website.
