The nature of the learners

At this level, children are developing awareness of their social worlds and of their memberships of various groups including the Modern Greek class. They are further developing literacy capabilities in English, such as writing in the Roman alphabet, and this helps to some degree in learning Modern Greek. They benefit from multimodal, activity-based learning which builds on their interests and capabilities and makes connections with other areas of learning, including English and other languages.

Modern Greek language learning and use

Learners interact with peers and the teacher in a variety of communicative activities where grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation are purposefully integrated. They primarily engage in a variety of listening and viewing activities, and understand familiar stories, songs and poems. Language use remains at a simplistic, repetitive level within familiar and predictable contexts. Students use simple language structures, vocabulary and phrases (Τι καιρό κάνει σήμερα; Χρόνια πολλά). They understand basic grammatical features such as the position of the possessive pronoun (η μαμά μου), and the importance of the use of articles (η ΄Αννα), and apply them in their own speech and writing. Specific language learning skills such as memory and communication strategies are developed. Listening skills are developed further, and through constant repetition and consolidation learners ask and respond to questions, give information, and read and write simple texts. With extensive support, students use their imagination to create short songs, games and performances. They discuss and begin to explore the significance of certain traditions, practices and values and the language associated with these, such as 25^η Mαρτίου, Απόκριες, 28^η Οκτωβρίου.

Contexts of interaction

The contexts in which learners interact in learning and using Modern Greek are primarily the classroom and school, with some sharing of their learning at home. Students may have access to wider communities of Greek speakers and resources through out-of-classroom activities and the use of virtual and digital technology. They work independently and cooperatively, further developing their sense of personal as well as group identity.

Texts and resources

Learners develop literacy skills through interacting with a range of spoken, written, visual and multimodal texts. Procedural, informative and descriptive texts, for example, recipes, weather reports and family descriptions, show how language is used in different ways and for different purposes.

Features of Modern Greek language use

Learners begin to develop a metalanguage for understanding and discussing language features, and make connections and comparisons between English and Modern Greek. For example, they understand that in English there is one word for the definite article (‘the’), whereas in Greek the definite article changes according to case, gender and number (ο, η, το, οι, οι, τα). Comparing the structures and patterns of Modern Greek to those of English helps learners understand both languages, helping in the development of their overall literacy skills. At this level, learners have control of writing the Greek alphabet letters.

Level of support

This stage of learning involves extensive support through scaffolding. Teachers model what is expected, introduce language concepts and resources needed to manage and complete tasks, and make time for experimentation, drafting and redrafting, providing support for self-monitoring and reflection. Support includes a range of spoken, written, visual and interactive resources, such as puppet plays, songs, YouTube clips and digital games.

The role of English

Learners are encouraged to use Modern Greek as much as possible for classroom routines, social interactions, structured learning tasks, and language experimentation and practice. English is used for discussion, explanation and reflection, as learners become aware of the interdependence of Greek language and culture and how these systems connect and compare to their own language and culture.