Maintaining and encouraging Greek language use outside the motherland has been a topical issue for some time now, and the creators of online start-up ‘Ellinopoula’ think they have the winning formula.
The interactive and simple design of the website allows children as young as two years of age to take part and learn Greek.
Co-founder and digital marketing coordinator Angeliki Poulimenou says she was inspired to share her love of the language and culture when she realised the challenges facing those in the diaspora, while studying and teaching in the UK.
“I remember once teaching the poem Philhellene of Kavafis in a Greek school in the UK. The poem refers to the king of a small nation in the east during the Hellenistic period who wanted to print the word ‘Philhellene’ on the new coin because back then it was a sign of privilege to be connected to the Greek philosophy and civilisation. I will not forget the spark in students’ eyes and their eagerness to be part of this as well,” Ms Poulimenou recalls.
The founding team spread between Greece, Cyprus, China and the USA is now actively helping children and parents build and maintain their links and language skills, “and with what better method than playful and amusing cartoons?” says the coordinator.
“Children are watching cheerful cartoons and learning Greek without even realising it. Parents don’t have to surf among different pages to find relevant videos for their children. They can feel secure that their children are kept in a safe and protected environment with pre-screened videos and no ads at all,” she explains.
The innovative learning platform is suitable for children aged two to 12 with an early beginner’s level of speaking and understanding Greek.
Once signed up, the account is active immediately and the child is provided with a curated list of videos suitable for their age group and language abilities. Designed by registered teachers, the levels progress from very easy to a level where the child is comfortable, while challenged.
“When a cartoon finishes, a quiz appears for the child to answer based on what they have watched. They don’t appear after all the cartoons, but they are programmed in such a way as to monitor the child’s viewing history and their ability to answer the questions,” Ms Poulimenou says.
“The whole aim,” she emphasises, “is to help the children learn without them even perceiving that they are learning.”
So whether you’re planning on returning to Greece at some stage or not, Ms Polimenou urges parents to look at the bigger picture and ask themselves one question: “‘Even if I am miles away from Greece, and may not return soon, do I still want to be part of it?’ Greece is a way of thinking, interacting, loving and being proud of our culture and not our wars. It is the journey that matters and not the destination after all.”
With a vision to keep evolving and catering to the changing needs of the diaspora, developers of the start-up are currently working on a native app for iOS, android and iPads set to be released next month.
If you’re interested, visit www.ellinopoula.com and start your free one month trial.