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The Weekend Neos Kosmos : 28 January 2017
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24 THE WEEKEND NEOS KOSMOS | SATURDAY 28 JANUARY 2017 LEARNING GREEK IN 2017 Why I love learning Greek Alannah Halabi, a 13-year-old of non-Greek descent, takes us through her journey of exploration and fun in learning Greek at school ZOE THOMAÚDOU Ever since starting Greek language lessons as a prep student, Alannah Halabi has never had a second thought about whether she made the right choice. The soon to be 13-year-old, who is enrolled at Alphington Grammar, was initially encouraged to take up Greek by her parents. And although there are other non-Greek students in her class, she is the only one who has dedicated so many years of her schooling to learning the language, and from the look of things, she’s not planning to stop anytime soon. Despite not having blood ties with Greece − her dad was born in Lebanon and her mum in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia − the passion for the language seems to run in the family, as all three older siblings of Allanah also attended Greek courses until they finished school. "My parents work near Alphington Grammar and so after talking with some teachers from the school they sent my brother and sisters there and then me. "They thought it was good to learn another language, but then we liked it as well and stayed," she tells Neos Kosmos. Alannah's siblings might not have continued Greek courses at a university level, but they have kept in touch with the language through friends they have made over the years. Hanging out with Greek classmates has also been one of the primary motives for Alannah to keep studying the language. "I just feel better every year and I guess it's because I made more friends. All my friends are Greek, I go to their houses and enjoy listening to their parents talk in Greek. "Every now and then my friends say something in Greek and I will understand, even though I'll respond in English," she says. Benefits she lists from her experience range from getting help for the course assignments and homework to acquiring a first-hand knowledge of the culture and of course, having the opportunity to taste some of the delicacies of Mediterranean cuisine. The little Philhellene has had exposure to the latest Greek sounds thanks to attending friends' birthday parties, while traditional music and folk dancing has also been a part of her daily life at school. As a matter of fact, she knows how to sing the national anthem and has participated numerous times in singing and dancing performances at school events. Open Seminars by the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria Beyond Eden: Adam, Eve, and the Human Condition in Byzantine Hymns Lecturer: Professor Derek Kreuger When: Thursday 23 February 2017 at 19.00 Aristotle and Constitutional Theory Lecturer: Dr George Duke When: Thursday 2 March 2017 at 19.00 Images of Myth and Life: the University of Melbourne Collection of Greek Vases Lecturer: Dr Heather Jackson When: Friday 3 March 2017 at 19.00 Thucydides: the historian ARISTON WE TEACH THE GREEK LANGUAGE AND CULTURE: PRE-KINDER – KINDER – PREP PRIMARY – SECONDARY – VCE • We offer a unique educational and socio-cultural program • We encourage our students to reach their full potential • We provide a most supportive and progressive educational environment • NEW Innovative programs for toddlers and their mothers WE OPERATE IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: BERWICK – GLEN WAVERLEY – MOONEE PONDS – POINT COOK – SURREY HILLS - WINDSOR NEW Pre-School Classes: PAME!!! CUBS CLUB An early learning program teaching Greek in a FUN & EASY way for toddlers 1-4 years and their mothers NEW Vibrant Fastpaced Greek Dancing Classes for children and adults Principal: Dr Helen Kalaboukas, PhD, MAPS Enrolments have started on: 9561 4309, 9574 1565 or 0414 327 054 E-mail: info@ariston.org.au www.ariston.org.au as philosopher Lecturer: Associate Professor Matthew Sharpe When: Thursday 16 March 2017 at 19.00 Where: The Mezzanine floor (press "M" in the elevator) of Greek Centre Melbourne - located at the corner of Lonsdale and Russell streets in Melbourne, Australia. The progressive centre for the Greek language and culture Το σχολείο παρέχει: Σύγχρονο πρόγραμμα διδασκαλίας αναγνωρισμένο από το Υπουργείο Παιδείας της Βικτώριας Πτυχιούχους δασκάλους, αφοσιωμένους στο καθήκον που περιβάλουν με αγάπη και στοργή το παιδί σας Ένα χαρούμενο και ασφαλές οικογενειακό περιβάλλον με χαμηλά δίδακτρα Γλώσσα συνυφασμένη με τα Ελληνοχριστιανικά μας ήθη και έθιμα Διδασκαλία Ελληνικών χορών και Θεάτρου, Τραγούδια και άλλες Πολιτιστικές δραστηριότητες Το «ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΟ ΣΧΟΛΕΙΟ ΑΧΕΠΑ» είναι ένα μη κερδοσκοπικό ίδρυμα που διοικείται από την ΑΧΕΠΑ. Όραμά μας είναι να προσφέρουμε ένα ολιστικό πρόγραμμα διδασκαλίας της ελληνικής γλώσσας σ’ ένα θετικό, ασφαλές και πολιτισμένο οικογενειακό περιβάλλον πλαισιωμένο με φροντίδα και αγάπη. For further details please contact Mrs Tasia Manos on 9527 9053 – 0425 750 273 Για πληροφορίες παρακαλώ επικοινωνήστε με την κυρία Τασία Μάνος 9527 9053 – 0425 750 273 Website: www.ahepagreekschool.org.au Email: ahepagreekschool@ahepa.org.au What truly won her heart though, and has kept her dedicated to the subject, is her passion for Greek history. "My favourite topic is history, every time I go to class I ask my teacher if we can learn more about history. I really enjoy it," she says. Up until last year she had already been taught extensively about mythology and some ancient Greek figures and events, and says she is now eager to learn more on modern history. While she recognises spelling and reading as her strengths, Alannah admits she still struggles with some parts of the language, especially when it comes to writing fully-structured paragraphs. As she explains, however, she receives great support from her teachers who help her constantly improve. When asked about whether there is something she does not enjoy about the subject, she gives a cheeky answer: "There is nothing I don't want to learn or that I don't like other than maybe ... doing tests!" Alannah is now also entering her second year in Chinese, but she has already made her decision for when the time comes to choose between the two languages. "It is still early to talk about VCE, but in Year 9 I get to pick between Chinese and Greek and I know that I'll choose Greek. I prefer it − it's easier, but mainly more interesting." As for her future plans, she enjoys sports and has developed a strong interest in humanities subjects, but is still unsure of which studies she would like to pursue later on. What remains clear to Alannah, however, is that even if she does not keep studying Greek at uni, she will still maintain a connection with the language and culture through her friends. We, for our part, wish her every success in her future endeavours on whatever path she decides to take. DIGITAL.NEOSKOSMOS.COM Thirteen-year old-Alannah Halabi, from a non-Greek background, has been learning Greek at Alphington Grammar since prep. Enrolments for 2017 will commence from Monday 6th February Οι εγγραφές για το 2017 αρχίζουν από τη Δευτέρα 6 Φεβρουαρίου 50844
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