The Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) recently organised an awards night dedicated to its adult students, who are engaged in learning Greek as a second or foreign language.
The event took place as part of the Christmas celebrations and marked the completion of the 2023 learning courses.
The evening aimed to recognise the efforts of the adult students, honour their dedication and hard work, and commend their notable development.
The Board of Directors of the GCM was also in attendance to show their support.
Dr Nick Dallas, the GCM Head of Educational Programs, shared his enthusiasm about the positive atmosphere during the gathering. He highlighted the diverse motivations of the students, saying that “The get-together with the adult students had such a positive buzz.
“They all had different reasons for studying Greek, but the principal ones being they had some Greek background or were involved with Greek partners.”During the event, awards were presented by Maria Bakalidou, the Principal of the GCM schools.”Each student has a different, yet interesting story, a unique motivation that draws them to the Greek adult class every week, after a tiring day, to delve into the Greek language and discover aspects of Greek culture. Each person, in their way, serves as a wellspring of inspiration and sets a brilliant example for all of us,” said Mrs Bakalidou.
She congratulated each student, presenting their unique stories and motivations for attending Greek adult classes.The night featured a sumptuous Greek cuisine buffet, showcasing authentic dishes that paid homage to the flavours of Greece.
Attendees joyfully danced to traditional Greek songs, infusing the evening with the spirit of Greece.
A notable achievement this year was that, for the first time, three adult students successfully took the ‘Certificate of Greek Language Attainment’ examinations conducted by the education office at the Greek Consulate of Melbourne.
This globally recognised certificate signifies a certain level of Greek language proficiency.
Finally, Alexandros Giannadakis, the GCM coordinator of ancient Greek courses & adult Greek courses, commended the students for their achievements, praising their dedication to mastering the Greek language and embracing its rich cultural heritage.
“From mastering the intricacies of the Greek language to embracing the rich cultural heritage, the achievements of our students deserve to be applauded and honoured,” Giannadakis said.
“This night is a testament to their dedication and passion for embracing the Greek language and culture.”
The event also announced that registration for next year’s classes is open, providing individuals with the opportunity to embark on a journey of language and cultural exploration either online or in the classroom at the Greek Centre.
For registration and further information, please visit this link.
