Four years ago, the Greek Community of Melbourne’s (GCM) Language and Culture Schools created the online program “Greek for Late Beginners,” which is aimed at children aged 10-18 who did not have the opportunity to start learning Greek at a younger age.

Since its launch, the Greek language program has only grown in scale and enrolments have now re-opened again for 2024.

To find out more about the program and why you should enrol, The Greek Herald spoke with Eleni Dimitriou, Modern Greek Language Teacher and Coordinator of the online program.

Tell me a little bit about the “Greek for Late Beginners” Online Program. When did it launch and what will people do during the program?

The “Greek for Late Beginners” Online Program was created four years ago during the pandemic by The Greek Community of Melbourne’s Language & Culture Schools. The program is designed for children aged 10-18 who did not have the opportunity to start learning Greek at a younger age. It allows students to develop their communication skills in Modern Greek, learn and understand the Greek language and culture, and actively participate in interactive online classrooms.

The program aims to provide fun and interesting lessons while minimising any gaps in the students’ learning experience. The most important thing to underline here is that the program is accessible to children across all of Australia and serves as a way for children to connect with their Greek heritage.

What makes this program different to others that exist?

It’s different in many ways.

• It is designed for older children aged 10-18 who may not have had the opportunity to start learning Greek at a younger age.

• Online Accessibility Nationwide: As an online program, it is accessible to every child in Australia, transcending geographical constraints and ensuring a nationwide reach.

• The program offers distance learning, making it accessible to students who face challenges such as daily obligations, lack of time for commuting, long distances from Greek schools, or the absence of school units in remote areas.

• The program emphasises interactive online classes, creating an educational environment that provides engaging and effective lessons.

• Expert Educators in Greek and Technology: Our educators excel not just in Greek language proficiency but also utilising technology to enhance the effectiveness of their teaching methods. We have developed lessons that are not only educational but also enjoyable, as evidenced by the remarkable results achieved by children who initially lacked basic reading and writing skills but concluded the course proficient in both.

• We adhere to optimal methods to ensure the best results for each student.

• Proven Results: The program has yielded tangible results, with students who initially had no knowledge of reading and writing now proficient in constructing dialogues, showcasing the program’s effectiveness in imparting language skills.

Why do you think it’s important for older people to learn the Greek language?

The aim is to help children in Australia learn the language of their grandparents and parents and feel closer not only to their roots, but also to Greek culture and heritage. This program is especially beneficial for those who may not have started learning Greek from Grade 1.

Many children, as they grow, realise the importance of connecting with their heritage, especially for effective communication with family members who speak Greek and for a more meaningful experience when traveling to Greece. This program is tailored to meet the specific needs of these learners, encompassing the desire to speak with family, engage with relatives, and confidently communicate in Greek, whether at home or during travels.

It serves as a comprehensive solution to bridge the linguistic and cultural gaps that may have emerged as these individuals matured, allowing them to fulfill their aspirations of connecting with their Greek identity.

Is there anything else you’d like to say?

The program has been, and continues to be, so successful that it currently has six online classes with over 40 students in total, and a trained team of experienced educators who meet the educational needs of the students.

The program is offered between 9-11 lessons (depending on the term), each lasting two hours. Open classes for up to 10 people and smaller groups (private lessons) up to four people are available.

Notably, we are thrilled to share that the program has experienced a significant increase in the number of students each year. This growth reflects the growing recognition of the program’s effectiveness in fulfilling the language and cultural learning needs of children, further solidifying its role in connecting younger generations with their Greek identity.

The new classes start at the end of January 2024, specifically:

• We are excited to announce a special Early Bird Offer only for the course A1.1 Greek for Late Beginners Online Program. Enrol between November and January and receive two lessons free as a part of your enrolment. All you have to do is enter the discount code START24 in the Coupon field.

Enrol in the Greek for Late Beginners Online Program today and enjoy the feeling that comes from taking the right first step, and your early bird discount! The A1.1 level starts on Wednesday 7th of February at 4:30pm.

For more information and to enrol, please visit the website greekcommunity.com.au/glb or contact us at 9662 2722.