Roughly 17,000 people with Greek roots live in B.C., but their language is being lost through second and third generations.

That’s one of the reasons the Vancouver Learning Network, a Vancouver School Board virtual school based at John Oliver secondary, is launching an online Greek language course this September.

The VLN partnered with Simon Fraser University’s Centre for Hellenic Studies, which launched its online course six years ago.

“They had a lot of the content already built that they could give us so that we could get a good start at the course,” explained VLN vice principal Jim Stassinopoulos. “This is community-backed from the Greek community and from the Greek consulate.”

Stassinopoulos explained after-school Greek language programs for Grade 1 to 6 students are thriving, but there are few options for continuing past that age.

“When I grew up, we spoke Greek at home because it was the only language all our parents knew,” recalled Stassinopoulos. “Now with our kids, we’re speaking English and we’re losing the language.”

The course, however, isn’t restricted to those with Greek origins. “We’re not just expecting the Greek community to be part of this. We’re also expecting non-Greeks to take this as part of their modern language program. We’re starting off with the introduction to Greek 11, which is the equivalent of a Grade 10 course. It’s an introduction that anybody can take. It’s basically for beginners,” said Stassinopoulos, who hopes to expand the course to subsequent levels to create a foundation, which could lead to credit into university.

The learning network provides opportunities for conversations with real people—it organizes events for students at its John Oliver location such as seminars or international movie nights. Online tools allow teachers and students to at times communicate in real time from different locations, and discussion forums and blogs are also used to reinforce learning.

Andre Gerolymatos, chair of Hellenic Studies at SFU, said its partnership with the VLN stems from university president Andrew Petter’s vision for community engagement.

“We’re trying to participate in that spirit. Sharing knowledge, especially technology with high schools, is a great idea,” Gerolymatos said.

He noted Greek is one of SFU’s highest enrolled language courses, varying from between 35 to 45 students per term—a number he said is excellent for modern Greek.

“Language in North America is not as pushed as it is in Europe because we live in an English environment and the whole world operates on English. We don’t have the same incentive so kids tend to avoid it unless it’s easy in terms of their schedule.”

Online courses are ideal for those who need flexibility and computers are “very patient,” according to Gerolymatos, who pointed out they can adjust to a person’s level.

The VLN offers six languages in its online program—Korean, Japanese, French, Italian, Mandarin and Spanish.

For Gerolymatos online language education, especially at a young age when it’s easier to learn, is a way to ensure languages such as modern Greek aren’t lost here.

“Every language other than English in North America is in danger of disappearing,” he said. “The high schools are literally the last frontier for saving languages.”

noconnor@vancourier.com

Twitter: @Naoibh