In light of the need for new financial support for the continuation of the Modern Greek Program at Macquarie University, The Greek Herald spoke with the newly appointed Lecturer of Modern Greek Studies, Dr Patricia Koromvokis, who succeeded the Head of the Program, Dr Elizabeth Kefallinos after decades.
Dr Koromvokis discussed her academic goals for the Modern Greek Program at Macquarie University, and addressed variety of things with the Greek Herald including her life, her studies and her aims.
Dr Koromvokis has many times praised the work of her predecessor Dr Kefallinos, highlighting that Dr Kefallinos was her supervisor at her Ph.D. thesis and expressing her personal gratitude. When asked about her origin, she showed her desire to make known her roots.
“I was born and raised in Athens with our father from Sparta and our mother from Mytilene, specifically the village Ambeliko of Lesvos. I’ve visited several times. Just like Sparta,” Dr Koromvokis said.
In Australia, where she decided to settle some eight years ago, Dr Koromvokis possesses the following qualifications which are expected to cultivate the improvement of Modern Greek course studies even further.
- Doctoral Degree (Ph.D.) (Degree: Excellent) 2017
- Macquarie University (Sydney, Australia)
- Doctoral Thesis Title: “ The role of gender-marked information in second language processing’”
- Research Excellence Award – Vice-Chancellor’s Commendation for Academic Excellence Awarded by the Rector for the top 4% in research.
- Dr Koromvokis has a Master Degree in Teaching Greek as a foreign language from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (Greece)
She has maintained academic and research positions, from 2013 to 2019, as an Associate Lecturer in the Modern Greek Studies Program at the Department of International Studies at Macquarie University, filling in with her expertise towards the teaching and research needs of the Program.
In 2019, she worked as a Lecturer (part-time) in the Modern Greek Studies Program of the Department of International Studies at Macquarie University. This year (2020) she will be in charge of the Modern Greek Studies Program, with Dr. Elizabeth Kefallinou in long service leave.
“In 2019 a funded research program was launched under the Macquarie University Enterprise Partnership Scheme (PACE), which aims to be the first study to examine the methodology of teaching Modern Greek to specific professionals. I am the Chief – Investigator with Dr. Elizabeth Kefallinos. I would like to add that it is an invaluable contribution of Dr. Elizabeth Kefallinos who was vital during this successful course of Modern Greek Studies at Macquarie University.”
Dr Koromvokis’ doctorate thesis introduces an innovate teaching method of the Greek grammatical gender which is a grammar aspect of Modern Greek language which represents a major challenge when it comes to mastering of a second language such as Greek.
Dr Koromvokis received strong support from Greek community organisations, along with the university’s internal Greek program.
“As well as the enormous support of the Greek Studies Foundation, the various Greek community organizations, each provider and AHEPA NSW, help to meet the annual teaching and research needs of the Modern Greek Studies Program. Support was also provided by MUGA (Association of Greek Students of Macquarie University). With practical help in the Modern Greek Curriculum in recent years, they helped to increase enrolment to more than 50 students at all language levels (beginner, intermediate, advanced), including the Student Exchange Program through the National and Kapodistrian University.”
