Celebrating 2 years in our Greek at Heart Community

2 May

In a great way, it feels quite emotional writing this - if you could see me, you’d see I have a smile on my face. Να, λοιπόν, πώς ξεκίνησε η Κοινότητα…

It was April 2020,

and we were one month into the first (of many) lockdowns. Looking back, this time seems so surreal, knowing what we know now, and having experienced it. But this article today is not about the pandemic, but of a happy coincidence at the beginning of it.

A long time before April 2020, I had been thinking about how to create a space for Greek learners from around the world.

It took me a very long time to plan this, as with almost everything! At the beginning, there was the Facebook group, and so many wonderful people contributed to it frequently - especially with the live videos, which were so much fun (if you are one of them, σας ευχαριστώ!).

But I was never a fan of social media and Facebook is not a platform I particularly like, so I eventually took the decision to close the group and move out of Facebook completely.

However, there was something else. I would notice that, what was mostly missing from many learners, was the communication in Greek, the spontaneous expression, the interaction, beyond the course books and traditional classes.

(An important note here: I believe there’s value in the majority of learning styles and methods, but at different stages of a learner’s journey. It’s always a great idea to switch, mix and match when appropriate.)

But the truth is that it was fun for me too! I started working as a Greek teacher back in 2003 not only out of love for my language, but because I find all languages interesting and I really, really love meeting other people from around the world.

What happened next?

By combining the best parts of this story, our Greek at Heart Community was created in April 2020. It’s a space I hold very dear to my heart, because in the 2 years of the pandemic, I never felt alone.

And it’s not just about this happy coincidence of starting the 2 years of long lockdowns, isolation and loneliness alongside a fantastic group of kind, intelligent, thoughtful, funny, talented group of people, who made all this isolation so much lighter. It’s also about how I feel incredibly lucky and grateful for having met them - regardless of any pandemic situation.

So, here we are, celebrating 2 years!

I’d like to say how thankful I am to everyone who has been part of the Community, for a few months or for the full 2 years, reading the mini-books quietly “behind” the screen, or participating at every step.

But I’ll stop talking now and ask some of the members to share their reflections:

Edith: Χρόνια μας πολλά!

Happy second anniversary to each of us in the forum and above all to you, Danae, who I was more than happy to find some two years ago when I was searching for a meaningful, joyful, interesting programme to learn Greek in a more personal way.

The Community is so much more than providing learners just with textbook lessons. Far from it!

I feel connected with Greek enthusiasts world-wide, a fantastic feeling. Meeting them and you and exchanging ideas and contributing to the monthly topic (so beautifully presented in a colourful and always so personal way, makes studying Greek so much more worthwhile.)

To all of us: Συγχαρητήρια για τα γενέθλιά και: Χρόνια πολλά!

Richard: In a foreign, but shared language.

“I have been a member of the Greek at Heart Community for nearly 2 years. I have found it a fun, stimulating and natural way to learn Greek. Of course, for quite a lot of the last 2 years our movements were severely restricted due to pandemic restrictions and this group was a welcome way to connect with people of shared interest in different parts of the world at a time when we couldn’t go far in person.

The monthly booklets with their different themes are a great way to learn – and if you are doing something interesting and enjoyable learning is natural and effortless. (apart from checking where those ‘tonoi’ go which may not be so effortless!).

I find the compact written assignments fix words and meanings, and the speaking circles are a great opportunity to speak without pressure. It is really a process of sharing ideas with people as you would do with your friends, but in this case in a foreign but shared language.”

*Από τα θέματα και τις συζητήσεις μας στην Κοινότητα.*

Mark: A supportive and encouraging community.

“The Greek at Heart Community plays a big role in my continuing efforts to learn Greek. The monthly booklet and the tasks Danae sets for us are always challenging and although I still rely too much on dictionaries and translation apps, my confidence in my ability to communicate has grown tremendously. That’s in no small part also due to the supportive and encouraging community that take part in the monthly activities.”

Sheila: Μία παγκόσμια παρέα!

“Ο κύκλος ομιλίας μας είναι το αποκορύφωμα του μήνα μου! Αισθάνομαι ότι έχω τώρα μία παγκόσμια παρέα!”

Sam: Λατρεύω να μαθαίνω για την Ελλάδα.

“Η Δανάη έχει δημιουργήσει μια υπέροχη κοινότητα. Νιώθω ότι υποστηρίζομαι στο να μάθω ελληνικά. Οι κύκλοι ομιλίας είναι πολύ φιλικοί και βοηθάνε. Μου αρέσει πολύ να διαβάζω όλα τα γραπτά από όλους και από όλες. Μέχρι τώρα όλα τα θέματα είναι πολύ ενδιαφέροντα, λατρεύω να μαθαίνω για την Ελλάδα. Μαθαίνω τόσα πολλά από όλους και όλες. Νομίζω ότι μιλάω καλύτερα. Είναι πολύ ωραίο να είμαι μέρος της γιορτής - 2 χρονια! Ανυπομονώ για πολύ περισσότερο!”