The Pharos Alliance has announced the launch of a rolling series of ads to promote Greek language.
These ads will be short texts, appearing regularly in your local Greek paper, designed to encourage families to embrace Greek, to promote opportunities to engage with Greek and generally to keep reminding us all to keep Greek alive.
The first ad is dedicated to students and their families.
As students begin their subject selections for next year, Pharos encourage students of all ages to consider continuing or taking up Greek as one of their electives.
The group said some of the benefits include connecting with your heritage if you are of a Greek background, learning the language of the Greek gods if you are not of Greek background, improving your English, understanding STEM terminology, giving you career advantages, allowing for deeper travel experiences and more.
It is also asked of students to enrol in Greek at their nearest provider; these may include government schools, independent schools, after hours schools including the Greek Community, the Archdiocese, private providers and the Victorian School of Languages.
“We particularly encourage families who are enrolling in their local government school which offers Greek language to strongly consider enrolling in Greek,” Pharos said in a statement.
“Keeping Greek in the public system is vital for our standing as one of the key languages and ensures investment by the government.
“As you may be aware, the number of public schools offering Greek has decreased and we are doing all we can to ensure it does not recede further.”
They added that schools are keen to maintain their programs but cannot do so if the demand is not there.
For example, last year the Greek program at Northcote High School were struggling to fill a Year 7 Greek class.
“We ask, once again, for families to enrol in Greek at Northcote and all the other schools which offer Greek.”
For further information, you can connect with Pharos via Facebook or email them at mgta.vic@gmail.com
