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Modern Greek - UK primary school

25 replies

Tangi88 · 19/12/2020 22:07

Hello,

We live in London and we would like our child to learn modern Greek at primary school as a language (such as Spanish, French etc.) but we can't find any school that teaches modern Greek.

Can you please let me know if you know any schools primary or even secondary that teach modern Greek?

I don't mind if you know only independent ones or if they are not in London as we are willing to relocate for it.

Also, based on my research many schools (mainly independent) teach classics but that would be Latin and ancient Greek, not modern, hence the issue.

Thank you!

OP posts:
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peapotter · 19/12/2020 23:19

Why though?

The level of language teaching at primary school is very basic. Literally 1/2 hour a week at home would do more. Why not just get a tutor and stay where you are? Even secondary level is not great. My kids learn more on Duolingo than at primary school.

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Andbearsohmy · 20/12/2020 16:02

Even if you did find a primary that teaches modern Greek, you can't guarantee that the level of teaching for the language will be great. I say this as a primary teacher who has to teach half an hour of French a week, despite never learning French. I rely on Google translate to check the pronunciation. As do most of the other KS2 teachers in our school.

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Fuzzyspringroll · 20/12/2020 16:16

I think if you want your child to actually learn any substantial amount of Greek, the MFL lessons at a state primary school won't cut it.
Depending on your own level of Greek, you might want to consider a Greek school instead, such as this one:
dim-london.europe.sch.gr

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LynetteScavo · 20/12/2020 16:19

The amount of any language taught in a UK school is minimal. If you seriously want your child lo learn Greek you need it to happen in your home.

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TicTacTwo · 21/12/2020 09:58

Language teaching in primary school is very poor in the UK. After 4 years you'll be lucky if they can count to 20 and know a song or two,
If you're keen on your child gaining proper language schools you should find a Saturday school or other out of school solution.

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EvilEdna1 · 21/12/2020 10:01

I grew up in an area of London with a large Greek Cypriot community and the kids at school whose parents were bothered sent them to weekend Greek School.

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LittleBearPad · 21/12/2020 10:02

You need private lessons. Primary schools aren’t going to teach Greek in the normal course.

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SelfIcellation · 21/12/2020 10:04

My daughter learned a little Mandarin in primary school. It was paid for by the Confucius Institute. Now in Y9 she's forgotten all of it and is doing a Spanish GCSE.

I think you will need a tutor and sustained learning at home.

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ineedaholidaynow · 21/12/2020 10:04

Can’t think many independent schools would teach modern Greek either

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Jinglingmod · 21/12/2020 10:08

Yeah, you need to find an arrangement out if school, like a private tutor or Saturday school. Language teaching in primary schools is mostly songs and a few other words.

In my area, students can go to Arabic school, Russian school and Polish school, all on weekends and arranged by the relevant communities. I assume areas with large Greek communities might do similar? Then students might sit a GCSE or A level at secondary school, but won't have been taught in school.

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Sportsnight · 21/12/2020 10:10

Try Outschool, it’s a virtual tutoring website used by a lot of home schoolers. I’d supplement through primary school wherever you are, then maybe look for a secondary school that offers modern Greek as a GCSE/ A Level option. There are a couple of Greek primaries (fee paying) in London, if you Google they come up.

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pandora206 · 21/12/2020 10:27

When my daughter was 17 she had a Greek boyfriend that she had met on holiday. She enrolled herself at the local Greek school which was run by the Greek Orthodox church locally. The classes mainly had children of primary age most of whom had at least one Greek parent. My daughter skipped any religious bits (but was invited to various interesting events) and found the classes really useful. Everyone was incredibly welcoming. A year later she moved to Greece and 11 years later she still lives (and works) in Athens though the boyfriend has long since gone!

So it may be worth having a look to see if there is the equivalent locally OP.

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ottertail · 21/12/2020 11:44

Primary schools aren't going to teach Greek.

Even if they do teach languages like French/Spanish it'll likely be a diluted 30 minute lesson for a few weeks, if that.

Most schools don't have the time, resources or training for anything else.

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Yellowmellow2 · 21/12/2020 15:40

It’s very light touch in primary schools and it’s very unlikely you’ll find one that teaches Greek. You’ll need to do it independently.

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Dogsandbabies · 21/12/2020 15:44

My DD does private lessons. One hour twice a week. Her Greek is really taking off.

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RicStar · 21/12/2020 15:48

I agree weekend Greek school is your best and probably only bet in the UK and what my Greek friends do.

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ChnandlerBong · 22/12/2020 15:29

Agree with all the above - I doubt very much that there are any UK schools which teach modern Greek. Some independent senior schools may most GCSE / A level results in it but that is probably just native speakers?

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amaryllisu · 22/12/2020 15:33

On your other thread you say that Greek is your first language. In which case, that is the language you should be using at home with your little baby anyway. She will pick it up from you both at home and you can supplement this with a tutor.

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Hoppinggreen · 22/12/2020 15:35

You are willing to move house so your child can learn Greek at Primary school?
Wouldn’t a tutor be easier?

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Talcott2007 · 22/12/2020 15:42

I agree that a specialist 'weekend' Greek school or private tutor is your way forward. Language in general primary and even secondary schools are a pretty mixed bag generally poor in the UK. Our Dd goes to a Weekend French School and honestly the amount they pack into a 3hr session is incredible

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TeenageMutantNinjaCovid · 22/12/2020 18:01

@LynetteScavo

The amount of any language taught in a UK school is minimal. If you seriously want your child lo learn Greek you need it to happen in your home.

Not in all state schools

Look at Judith Kerr at Herne Hill or Anglo Portuguese in Southwark

Not Greek but these are bilingual state schools.
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Fuzzyspringroll · 22/12/2020 18:27

They are exceptions, though, and not your regular type of state primary school.

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Ericaequites · 23/12/2020 22:13

I would inquire at your local Greek Orthodox Church. I am across the pond, and know people who did this all through school. The classes are not very expensive thus.

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Tangi88 · 29/12/2020 15:21

Thank you all for your ideas! It’s really appreciated and helpful x

OP posts:
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DrinkFeckArseGirls · 29/12/2020 15:23

Saturday Greek school.

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