Four years ago, in the midst of the pandemic, The Greek Community of Melbourne’s Language & Culture Schools created the distance learning 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. This program allows students to develop their communication skills in Modern Greek and also to learn and understand the Greek language and culture.

Additionally, the program is structured in such a way that students can interact and actively participate using technology. The classrooms create an educational environment that provides fun and interesting lessons. The educators follow best practices to minimize any gaps, always striving to achieve the best results for each student.

With the creation of these online classes, the educational needs arising from children’s daily obligations, lack of time for additional commuting, the long distance from a Greek school, and the lack of school units in remote areas. The aim is to help children in Melbourne, and more broadly in Australia, learn the language of their grandparents and parents and feel closer not only to their roots but also to Greek culture.

The program has been, and continues to be, so successful that it currently has 7 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 up to 4 people are available.

The new classes start in July, specifically:

New beginners’ class at level A1.1: Thursday, July 13, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

In this class, students learn the alphabet, greetings, how to introduce themselves, and how to describe daily activities. No prior knowledge of Greek is required.

Additionally, for the 3rd term, there are classes for:

• A1.2, Tuesday, July 11, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
• A1.3, Wednesday, July 12, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
• A1.4, Tuesday, July 11, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
• A1.6, Monday, July 10, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
• A2.3, Monday, July 10, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
• A2.3-CLOSED Class, Tuesday, July 11, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Eleni Dimitriou, a teacher at the GCM schools and coordinator of the “Greek for Beginners” program, shared her thoughts on the program:”With this program, we offer all children who want to learn Greek the opportunity to fulfill their dream and desire from the comfort of their own homes. It doesn’t matter where they are or if they have little or no knowledge of Greek! We start the journey of Greek from scratch, and gradually, through the weekly lessons.Also, technology makes things easier. All one needs for these lessons is internet access, a computer, and a willingness to learn. Leave everything else to the experienced team…”

More information about the program and the application form can be found at the following link : greekcommunity.com.au/glb