In honor of the International Day of Greek Language, our Academic Director, Dr. Aggeliki Mastromichalaki, took part in a vibrant two-day event focusing on the Greek language, organized by PHIL.HE.A.FA (Philhellenes and Hellenes abroad Friendship Association of Argos-“Ai Giannis” Kapodistrias).
Held on February 6th and 7th in Argos, Greece, the event brought together educators, students, parents, and community members to celebrate the unifying power of the Greek language in connecting Hellenism worldwide. For us at Ellinopoula, it was a remarkable opportunity to share our mission and witness such enthusiasm from all the guests in attendance in Argos.
Day 1: Connecting the Diaspora through Education
On February 6th, at the Metropolis Youth Center in Argos, Dr. Mastromichalaki joined educators, parents, and the wider public to discuss Greek language education in Diaspora communities. She introduced the Ellinopoula platform - our innovative methodology, engaging features, and rich content, including the Learning Path, SpeakUp, virtual field trips, and Live Online Classes. These tools are designed to make learning Greek accessible, interactive, and meaningful for students around the globe.
Educators from the Diaspora joined online, sharing their experiences of teaching Greek abroad and the challenges they face in teaching their kids Greek. Their words filled us with pride, like when a parent stated: “We are so lucky to have found Ellinopoula.” For our team, this heartfelt feedback underscored the impact of our work and fostering a love for the Greek language.
Day 2: “The Greek Language Unites Us”
On February 7th, PHIL.HE.A.FA hosted an event at the Megas Alexandros Art and Culture Hall titled “The Greek Language Unites Us: Greece, Cyprus, Diaspora.”
The event was graced by Mr. A. Liolios, Deputy Mayor of Argos-Mycenae; Mr. Panagiotis Kamposos, Deputy Mayor of Social Welfare and Education; and many other distinguished guests from the education sector and other civil sectors, as well as an impressive crowd of 700 primary and high school students from local schools.
Dr. Mastromichalaki took the stage as the keynote speaker, exploring how the Greek language serves as a powerful bond linking Hellenism across borders. She highlighted Ellinopoula’s role in bringing the Diaspora closer together, offering a digital gateway to Greek heritage and identity. One of the key points Dr. Mastromichalaki emphasized was the growing interest among Diaspora learners in mastering Greek and obtaining the Ellinomatheia certification. This credential not only celebrates their linguistic achievement but also opens doors to university admissions in the United States and beyond.
The primary and high school students were very interested in Dr. Mastromichalaki’s insights. She captivated them with short, interactive games that revealed the Greek language’s presence in science and everyday life. The students were especially intrigued to learn about their peers in the Diaspora who are studying Greek through Ellinopoula.
In a truly heartwarming moment, one student approached Dr. Mastromichalaki and said, “What Ellinopoula does has embraced the whole world!”
