A Celebration of Greek Language and Culture Education in the UK
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A Celebration of Greek Language
and Culture Education in the UK
by Athina Mitropoulos and Arlene Holmes-Henderson
O n Saturday 10 June 2016, the
Ambassador of the Hellenic
Republic to the UK, Mr. Konstantinos
The conference was opened by Mr
Bikas, who warmly shared the debt he
personally owes to the Ancient Greek
Greek is estimated to be taught at around
500 schools across the UK and the A
Level in Modern Greek is continuing,
Bikas, and the Classics in Communities language. It was only through studying Ancient Greek at any level is no longer
project hosted a conference celebrating this ancient language’s grammar and part of national secondary school
the teaching of Greek language and syntax that he was able to fully command curricula in Scotland, Northern Ireland
culture in the UK at the Hellenic Centre his own modern one – a skill he has and Wales. In England, OCR is the only
in London. The conference had multiple continually relied upon and needed examining body offering GCSE and A
aims: to bring together a variety of throughout his diplomatic career. His Level in Ancient Greek and the number
teachers, committees and associations to debt of gratitude to the Ancient Greeks of students sitting exams has been steady
discuss the state of Greek language and was shared by the conference participants for the past few years. Around 1,300
culture education in the UK; to anticipate and was at the core of presenters’ students sit GCSE Ancient Greek. The
and confront the challenges; and to speeches. Everyone present was number drops significantly at AS and A2
collaborate to find solutions and action committed to preserving and expanding level, where approximately 250 learners
plans for its survival and growth. the study of the Greeks’ language and per year choose to continue with Ancient
culture in UK classrooms. Greek. These students are, however,
The current state of Greek language almost all from independent schools, with
and culture education in the UK is mixed. only around ten state schools in the UK
Presentations from Dr Arlene Holmes- still teaching the Ancient Greek language.
Henderson, a Postdoctoral Researcher in Since September 2014, Ancient
Classics Education at the University of Greek has been listed in the primary
Oxford, Caroline Bristow, one of two national curriculum as a language suitable
OCR Classics Subject Specialists, Lisa for study by children aged seven to eleven
Hay from Hitchin Girls’ School, Sarah years old. This means that primary
Brack from Burntwood School, Ben schools in England can now teach Ancient
Hewitt from Fairstead House School, Greek as their foreign language. This last
Athina Mitropoulos from Cranleigh point gives tremendous hope as it
School and Dr Evelien Bracke, a Senior provides the scope for teaching pupils at a
Lecturer and the Employability and young age. Progress is hindered, however,
School Liaison Officer at Swansea by a lack of specialist teacher training and
University, provided much insight into age-appropriate resources. The Classics in
how the Ancient Greek language and Communities project is working hard to
culture is being taught. Dr Constantine deliver training and, in collaboration with
Athanasiadis, from St Sophia’s School and others, provide appropriately stimulating
Reverends Roger and Rachel Larkinson, classroom materials.
from the Methodist Church, also The teaching of Greek culture,
Figure 1. | Mr Konstantinos Bikas opens the discussed the teaching of Modern and however, is stronger. Within the primary
conference. New Testament Greek. Although Modern national curriculum, all pupils are taught
The Journal of Classics Teaching 17 (34) p.55-57 © The Classical Association 2016. This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of
the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits
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https://doi.org/10.1017/S2058631016000258
about the Ancient Greeks and subjects not only are teachers and pupils working Classical Association also provides
such as Classical Civilisation and Ancient in their free time, either before or after conference bursaries and contributes to
History are available for GCSE and A school, but they often have to complete major academic projects, as well as
Level. Around 3,000 students every year an accelerated course in record time. producing three annual academic journals.
sit exams in Ancient History and around Finally, more could be done to strengthen Dr Zetta Theodoropoulou Polychroniadis
13,500 choose to do so for Classical the Classics teaching community: we need presented the involvement of the Greek
Civilisation. Although the numbers of greater opportunity to share good practice Archaeological Committee UK,
these individual subjects fluctuate, the and we need better promotion of support highlighting universities, such as the
overall picture in England is positive: available (both financial and in kind). University of Sheffield, where pupils can
there are four GCSE and A Level subjects The conference did exactly this. It go and experience an archaeological dig
(Ancient Greek, Modern Greek, Classical showcased the variety of associations and first hand. This committee also provides
Civilisation and Ancient History) through committees which are dedicated to scholarships to Greek and Cypriot
which pupils can engage with study of the helping support, maintain and further the students, and holds two annual lectures.
Ancient Greeks. Greek language and education of Greek language and culture. She also spoke of the British School at
Classical Greek and Roman Studies are Dr Arlene Holmes-Henderson, through Athens which has a Schoolteacher
offered as part of the International Classics in Communities, is doing research Fellowship, for research into teaching
Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, into the value of teaching Ancient Greek Ancient Greek language and culture, and
studied by a small number of students in on the cognitive development of pupils in undergraduate and graduate programmes.
schools worldwide (including at least 15 in primary schools. She is also involved with Hilary Hodgson then introduced the work
the UK). In Scotland, Classical training primary school teachers to teach of Classics for All, which provides
Civilisation (known as Classical Studies) Ancient Greek. Caroline Bristow outlined support and funding for teaching Ancient
remains a popular subject in the schools what OCR is doing, and can do in future, Greek at primary and secondary state
where it is taught. Despite the challenges to support teachers and learners in schools. Anne Wright presented Gorilla
that are faced, we must celebrate the schools. Dr Cressida Ryan, a lecturer in Greek, a school text book and website
opportunities available to study the Theology at the University of Oxford, that provides an introduction to basic
Greeks in UK schools. considered the case from a non-Classical vocabulary and grammar, and points out
Despite these positive steps, there are context and remarked how Ancient Greek the strong relationship between Ancient
still a number of challenges being faced. is ‘easy’ compared with other Theological Greek and English. Ben Hewitt talked
Although the Key Stage 2 curriculum languages, such as Hebrew or Aramaic. Dr about his teaching of literacy through
incorporates Greek, there is a real Kathryn Tempest, a Senior Lecturer at the Ancient Greek at a preparatory school in
shortage for qualified teachers at primary University of Roehampton, and Outreach Newmarket. Henry Cullen spoke about
school level. Ancient Greek is perceived Officer for the Classical Association, the JACT Greek Summer School at
as being ‘hard’ and ‘elitist’ and many spoke of the support the Classical Bryanston, which provides annual courses
teachers think it must be studied alongside Association, the largest Classical for beginners, intermediate and advanced
Latin. The numbers studying both organisation in Great Britain, aims to give learners of Ancient Greek. Sarah Brack
Ancient and Modern Greek are small, to the teaching of Greek language and and Lisa Hay outlined ways in which
making them often not cost-effective or culture. Local branches of the Classical Greek can be taught effectively in state
viable in numerous schools, particularly in Association hold school reading schools. Dr Evelien Bracke gave an update
state-maintained schools. Moreover, if competitions, play readings and support on the Cymru Wales Classics Hub and the
they are taught, it is often off-timetable: outings to places of Classical interest. The status of Greek language and culture
Figure 2. | Teachers’ roundtable discussion (l-r: Lisa Hay, Sarah Brack, Athena Mitropoulos, Hilary Hodgson (Classics for All / Chair), Ben
Hewitt, Henry Cullen, Anne Wright).
56 A Celebration
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https://doi.org/10.1017/S2058631016000258
Figure 3. | Conference delegates.
education in Wales. Finally, Dr Sonya needs further exploration is the role that inclusive or secure. Nevertheless, the
Nevin presented the Panoply Project, an universities and university students can room was filled with people of all
online animation of Ancient Greek vases, play in this. While one-off days may whet backgrounds, eager to promote the
which brings ancient history, art and the appetite of pupils, long-term initiatives subjects. The majority of the audience
mythology to life. The sheer number and are needed, such as training primary school was already working extra hours, often
variety of initiatives described at the teachers to teach Ancient Greek, or unpaid, to inspire and foster a deep
conference prove how much goodwill and through Skype conversations with existing knowledge and passion for the Greeks.
enthusiasm there is for the promotion of classes to provide interactive teaching and This goodwill signals tremendous hope.
Ancient Greek language and culture in the learning. The Greek community could The respect, appreciation and love held
UK. The aim is now to spread the word likewise further act as ambassadors for for this civilisation, and the proactive
further, to engage with English and Greek Greek culture within schools, or help nature of all who are involved with it,
members of the public and to help provide training for teachers in language demonstrates just how cherished the
connect people who are striving to expand and history. The goodwill is there – it just Greeks are in the UK.
access to the study of the Greeks. needs harnessing.
Much still remains to be done. There Mr Bikas closed the conference, Athina Mitropoulos and
are many schools, headteachers, teachers, sharing two initiatives that were hugely Arlene Holmes-Henderson
parents and pupils who do not yet inspiring and optimistic for the future. athina.mitropoulos@googlemail.
appreciate the value of the Ancient Greek Firstly, he spoke of a project with com, arlene.holmes-henderson@
language and culture. While they can be Burntwood Academy in Tooting, London, classics.ox.ac.uk
found on pamphlets on the OCR website, where a group of pupils studying Greek
we shall summarise a few of the many was given the opportunity to visit Athens
points that were shared at the conference. and see a number of ancient sites. Upon If you enjoyed this article and
Firstly, learning about the Greeks is hugely returning to England, they shared their would like to read more about the
enjoyable. In the variety that the subject experiences with the school body and teaching of Ancient Greek in UK
offers – from language to philosophy, from acted as ambassadors for Greek language schools, see the following other JCT
history to archaeology, from comedy to and culture in other schools. We should articles:
tragedy – there is something for everybody never underestimate the vital role the Barker, A. (2013). The Experiences of
and pupils respond very positively to this pupils themselves play in the spread of Students Learning Greek in a Mixed-
breadth. Secondly, it teaches and fosters a Greek language and culture education and Year Extra-Curricular Club. An
number of skills: analytical, deductive, this is a perfect example of how they can Investigation. Journal of Classics
methodical, persuasive and evaluative. In a inspire others to want to learn. Secondly, Teaching, 27, pp. 34-39. Can be
world of swift technological advances, Mr Bikas spoke of an upcoming accessed through the ARLT here.
these transferable skills are invaluable for a exhibition in the Science Museum, which Wright, A. (2015). Running a Greek
vast number of careers. Finally, at present, will showcase the scientific discoveries of Club – The Hereford Cathedral
pupils who study the Ancient Greeks stand the Ancient Greeks. This is another School Experience. Journal of Classics
out amongst their peers, as it is not a fantastic way of showing the public the Teaching, 32, pp. 21-24. Access here.
universally studied subject. While we hope debt modern society owes to the Ancient
Holmes-Henderson, A. (2016).
this situation will change soon (everyone Greeks and will surely spark significant
Teaching Latin and Greek in Primary
should have access to learning about the interest in the ancient world.
Schools. The Classics in Communities
Greeks in secondary school), pupils should The conference did highlight many
Project. Journal of Classics Teaching,
be encouraged to take the opportunities challenges. Opportunities to learn about
33, pp. 50-53. Access here.
available to them. Another avenue that still the Greeks in the UK are far from
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46.4.80.155, Language
Feb 2021 and Culture
at 13:44:36, subjectEducation in the UK
to the Cambridge 57
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https://doi.org/10.1017/S2058631016000258
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