“As in every large Greek community and many smaller ones around the world, it is a given that there will be a Greek school,” says Dimitris Andriopoulos, the principal of the Hellenic Community of Vancouver’s Greek School.
Located in the Arbutus neighbourhood, the school brings new blood to the beating heart of Vancouver’s Greek community, providing a learning opportunity for Vancouverites interested in Greek culture or planning a trip to the Hellenic Republic.
“Here in Vancouver, where the Greek community has been thriving for almost 100 years, the school, which is the only one in British Columbia officially recognized by the Greek state, exists to preserve our tradition [and] teach our history and language to new generations of Greeks and those interested in learning it,” adds Andriopoulos.
A timeless language
Greek culture is not only rich in history, traditions, myths and music, it is also closely attached to its language. The Greek school shares in this cultural celebration with its dedicated space and devoted teachers, growing new generations of Greek-speakers. Aside from the young Greek Canadians learning their language and building stronger ties with their culture, the Greek school is also attracting a new demographic.
“The majority of our students are of Greek descent,” says Andriopoulos. “However, we’ve seen an increase in the number of students who don’t have any connection to Greece.”
Children at the Greek school. | Photo courtesy of the Hellenic Community of Vancouver
According to the principal, some students are inspired by their travels to Greece; others want to communicate with Greek-speaking family members. The school also attracts students looking for an intellectual challenge.
“Our language is one of the oldest in the world, and it has influenced many other languages, especially in science, philosophy and art,” the principal adds. “Ancient Greek philosophers taught important ideas that still shape how we think today.”
No matter what motivates students to enter the Greek school’s doors, learning the Greek language has its challenges. The principal notes that one challenge is the grammar. Another challenge for the teachers is motivating young learners to invest in mastering this beautiful and historical language. Andriopoulos states that the school addresses this challenge by making the language accessible and relevant.
“Once they start to understand Greek, they’re shocked to find that many of the words they use every day are actually Greek,” he adds.
Sharing of traditions
Classes at the Greek school begin with a warm-up, allowing students to practice the language by discussing their weekends or other general topics. Following these updates, the class proceeds with reviewing the homework, then moves to the main lesson of the day. Andriopoulos notes that, while the lessons include translation, vocabulary, pronunciation and other language interactions, speaking and reading comprehension are the prioritized skills.
“[A highlight of my work] is when I see the children at school who have become good friends while, not long ago, they were strangers to each other,” says the principal. “[Or] when they start using Greek words and expressions in their communication.”
Using a wide selection of online publications and books from Greece, but also videos and songs, the Greek school offers various supports to learn the language. The school now benefits from the work of other institutions, including a partnership with Simon Fraser University that grants access to Sta ellinika, an online Greek language education platform. With the new year starting, many traditions from Greece can also be seen in Vancouver, providing opportunities to practice the language and engage with its culture.
“On New Year’s Day, Greeks celebrate the feast day of Saint Basil with a delicious cake called Vasilopita,” he explains. “They bake a coin into the cake and whoever finds it in their slice is believed to have good luck for the year ahead.”
While sharing Vasilopita, stories and jokes with their community, younger generations can enjoy the fruits of their efforts. These moments are not only the students’ reward, but also the highlight of the teacher’s work.
For more information on the Hellenic Community of Vancouver’s Greek School, see: www.vancouverhellenicschool.com
