The Greek academics and educators who are preparing a Greek community submission as part of the Victorian Languages Strategy Discussion Paper, are calling for the inclusion of the Greek language in the new national schools curriculum currently being developed by the Australian Curriculum and Reporting Authority (ACARA), according to reports.

Neos Kosmos understands that the committee which was established following a meeting at the Greek Community of Melbourne and Victoria (GOCMV) has prepared a draft discussion paper which will be considered by the six organisations partnering in the submission.

The partners include, GOCMV, Modern Greek Teachers’ Association of Victoria, the Greek Studies Program of La Trobe University, Education Office of the Greek Consulate in Melbourne, Cyprus Community of Melbourne and Victoria and Victorian School of Languages.

The submission has commentary on the teaching of the Greek language as well as recommendations for the strengthening of the Greek language teaching.

Neos Kosmos understands that the submission is critical of how Modern Greek has been ‘marginalised and undermined in government schools’ by unsympathetic principals and School Councils who refuse the appropriate allocation of resources and teaching staff.

The influence of Greek on all European languages and Western culture is emphasised as is data demonstrating that Modern Greek is the third most spoken language in Australia. 

The submission also suggests that Greek should be offered from Prep to Year 10, at least in one school, in each geographical area with a strong local Greek community; and calls for the establishment of a Language Centre for Greek.

The Language Centre would provide opportunities for professional development. If established, it would link with University Language and Teacher Training Programs and local communities, according to the draft submission.

The draft submission concludes, “that the new Victorian Language Policy needs to include the Greek language as it has demonstrated the teaching of highly organised language programs, highly competent teachers, strongly funded by the Greek Government, and most importantly, has proven that it has been successfully taught.”