“Why do I learn Greek?” wanders Daniel from Melbourne, Australia – a participant of last year’s Greek Immersion Course on the beautiful Greek island of Spetses.
“It’s the language of my grandparents and, before that, my ancestors going back centuries. I wanted to reconnect with them, because I didn’t have the chance to learn Greek growing up.”
What does it really take to reconnect with the Greek language and the heritage that it carries? How can a visitor to Greece fully experience the bond with the roots of the past and engage with the knowledge which lies in the present?
Whether there are adults who want to rediscover life after decades of working, or those who are hungry to master one of the richest languages of the world by visiting the place where it flourished, The Greek Online School’s Greek Immersion Course is for them.
The Greek Immersion Course runs under the auspices of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy and the Greek Ministry of Tourism. It provides everyone above the age of 17 with the opportunity to live a unique nine-day holiday experience from June 24 to July 2 this year on Spetses island. An experience where 3-hour daily language classes meet cultural activities, island cruises, unique tastes and the Greek style of living in the heart of summer.
The methods of teaching combine books with apps, tradition with technology and aim to provide the base from which participants will practice Greek in everyday situations on the island.
Learning from experienced teachers in the morning and going for activities in the evening, participants will be both knowledge and Greek lifestyle explorers. Accommodation, breakfast and two daily meals are also included, providing you with everything necessary to enjoy a comfortable, memorable experience.
The venue of the Greek Immersion Course is nothing less than inspiring. Tied with timeless, core values of the Greek nation, the historic building of the Anargyrios and Korgialenios School of Spetses, right at the heart of the popular island, which was home to the mighty Greek Revolution heroine Laskarina Bouboulina, is going to host a total of 25 hours of lessons.
The island and school are famous of course worldwide, with acclaimed productions such as The Lost Daughter, Knives Out 2, and The Magus having been or aiming to be shot there.
“Nothing helps language learning more than hands-on experience and exposure to the real language and its wonderful people. This is the secret that makes the students who come to Spetses want to return the following years and what makes this language program so effective,” the Founder & CEO of The Greek Online School, Mrs Stella Bompotsiari Vri, said.
It doesn’t take a lot to realise that all aspects of this unique immersion are tied to one thing – the people. Whether it is the participants who will share the same passion for language and activities or the islanders who will interact with the participants and share their Greek heritage, they all become one during the nine-day course. The Greek language, lifestyle and culture is the glue that brings everything together.
“It’s a once in a lifetime experience,” Daniel concludes.
Definitely an experience not to be missed.
The Greek Immersion Course runs from June 24 – July 2 this year on the island of Spetses. To register please visit: https://bit.ly/3MQSFlz.
