To maintain the high-quality teaching of the Greek language across Australia, teachers were given an opportunity to take part in a two-week program at Thessaloniki’s Aristotle University.
Attended by 10 teachers from across the country, the program took place in September as part of the institution’s School of Modern Greek Language.
There they had the chance to take part in language courses and specialised subjects focusing on pronunciation and language assessment and were exposed to software to be implemented in their own classrooms.
The experience wasn’t bound to the classroom however, inspiring the teachers with field trips, cultural visits to museums and archaeological sites, and a visit to a municipal city school.
Group leader Vicky Marinelis was thrilled with the experience, which was the third consecutive training program for Australian teachers.
“As always, our returning teachers had the best impressions from the program, academics and their stay in Thessaloniki,” said Ms Marinelis.
“The positive and memorable educational experience of our teachers was thanks to the excellent organisation of the program by the secretariat of the school and the worthy collaborators of the university.”
Upon their return Down Under, program attendees had the chance to meet with the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Christina Simantirakis, and took the opportunity to express their enthusiasm and satisfaction about the high level of education received, as well as their wish for further cooperation with the university.
The program was made possible thanks to the financial and moral support of the Greek Consul in Melbourne, the Greek Community of Melbourne and Victoria, Delphi Bank, the Modern Greek Teachers’ Association of Victoria and the AHEPA Greek School.