A Greek language transition program involving a buddy system between Year 7 and prep students has been developed by South Oakleigh College and Clarinda Primary School has been a great success.

Year Seven advanced Greek students from South Oakleigh College have been mentoring and providing one-on-one assistance with Greek learning activities to preps learning Greek at Clarinda Primary School .

Greek teachers, Sophie Stamatelatos from South Oakleigh and Meni Zapantis from Clarinda were inspired to set up the program because of their love of the Greek language and culture.

“The idea started because we are good family friends that both have kids that learn Greek and we want to see that continue,” says Stamatelatos. “It’s just such a beautiful language, and the schools are so close to each other. So we thought ‘Why not?’ “

“Outside of the classroom, the preps clam up when we speak Greek to them. They find it quite alarming,” adds Zapantis. “We are hoping that seeing the continuity of the Greek language at the high school will encourage them to speak outside the class and also to continue learning into their secondary school years.”

Costa Leftheriotis, Diamond Terzoglou, and Raphael Savva sat next to their tiny prep buddies for the first time last Tuesday, pointing out the letters of the alphabet  and cutting and pasting shapes when I visited South Oakleigh College.

“I was nervous at first but after meeting the kids, it feels really good to help them,” says Savva. It was evident as an onlooker of the program that the secondary students were colouring more than just the blank pages of textbooks.

“The children really look up to the older children and enjoy their company,” underscores Zapantis.

Mr Ladopoulos, the Greek Consulate’s Education Consul, visited Clarinda Primary School on Tuesday to express his support for the program.

“I want to promote alternate ways of learning that are different from the traditional whiteboard method. When you see the interaction between the students singing, dancing and playing together it becomes a game for them and easier for the kids to learn,” he said. “The Greek Government will support the program through the recruitment of support teachers from Greece, by making educational resources available and by providing opportunities for students to participate in education programs in Greece,” according to Ladopoulos.

 “We would like to support more Government schools to offer the Greek language (through similar programs) to both students of Greek and non Greek background, and are in meetings with the Victorian Minister of Education about this,” Ladopoulos said.

Clarinda Primary School and South Oakleigh College are two of only a few public schools that include Greek as a compulsory LOTE language, and that offer the language at both an advanced (or mother tongue) and beginners level. Whilst the buddy program currently only includes the advanced (mother tongue) prep students, it is hoped to expand to include the beginner’s prep class next term, and to include other year levels in future.

Zapantis is also aiming to launch a pre-school group run entirely in Greek.

“We are looking to start the program next year and there is a lot of interest in it so far.  It is hoped that the pre-school program, together with the transitional program will encourage the continuity of Greek throughout the year levels.”