I read with interest the article by Professor Alexandros Nekhamas in “K” dated Sunday 07/05/2023 on the teaching of ancient Greek in Greece and abroad and whether we need to end up reading texts from the original instead of using translations. In recent years, I have been actively involved in the study of the ancient Greek language and for several years I have been looking for reasons why Greek students hate the course of the ancient Greek language, unlike other foreign countries, whose students love it, respect it. this and although it may be difficult for them, nevertheless, they study hard at it.

Ancient Greek and Latin had been an integral part of European education for centuries, and early teachers introduced the language through grammar rather than through texts. However, in the mid-16th century, the German professor of ancient Greek, Johann Posselius, published an innovative method, a textbook that included dialogues in ancient Greek and Latin, making the texts more accessible. Representing language through everyday life and using it in practical situations is an approach that has proven effective in teaching foreign languages, since the ultimate goal of learners is to master the language to such an extent that they can read texts from the original, without the need for translation into their native language. Although Posselius’ ideas and methods were directed towards Latin and Greek, they nonetheless had a wider impact on the teaching of languages ​​in general. His emphasis on active participation, genuine use and practical application of language is seen as a forerunner of modern language teaching methodologies.

I believe that students’ aversion to Ancient Greek in Greece is due to the lack of practical application of the language, as well as limited familiarity with the texts – an opinion that has prevailed in recent years and throughout the world. According to this view, educators are called upon to emphasize the importance of reading texts in the original language and to help students appreciate the beauty, importance, and value of ancient Greek writing. This approach to teaching classical languages ​​is aimed at reviving students’ interest in ancient texts.

Groups of teachers, with the support of academies and universities, are trying to bring back the teaching of classical languages, starting in elementary school.

The decline of education at the global level has been the subject of study and problematization. As a counterbalance to this course, which is further exacerbated by the complexity of classical languages ​​- the way they are taught – and the intrusion of technologies that promote speed and convenience, groups of teachers, supported by universities and academies, have been created that are trying to bring back the teaching of classical languages ​​from elementary school, using all four skills: writing, reading, speaking and listening: Classics for All, an Iris project in collaboration with Literacy through Classics in the United Kingdom. , “L’expérience Nausicaa: l’initiation au grec ancien à l’école” in Marseille, the program “Ancient Greeks – Young Heroes” in Belgium, “Greek Education” in Greece are just some of the many initiatives they are striving for teaching classical languages ​​in elementary school with a communicative approach so that children acquire the necessary knowledge and not suffer so much in high school, with results that we all more or less know. Similar movements exist in major academies and universities around the world, Oxford has only recently added a Classical Studies department to the Classics and Humanities program, and the newly founded Ralston College in Savannah, USA, offers a Master of Arts program in the humanities. and teaches Ancient Greek in combination with Modern Greek, as the supervisor Joseph Conlon (Doctor of Classical Philology, Princeton University) believes that one cannot adequately learn Ancient Greek without knowledge of Modern Greek.

In short: there are methods, and an easy way, and books, and professors, and educational institutions. So anyone who wants to can study without the element of coercion in universities, which I agree is more intimidating than attractive. But in the end, maybe the discussion should focus on why we should learn ancient Greek, and not just how? Not only as Greeks, but also as citizens of the Western world. Mr. Nekhamas mentioned Adamantios Korai, dozens of scientists around the world for centuries have emphasized the benefits we derive from their study. More recently, French Education Minister Jean Michel Blanquer, who has also advocated the teaching of Ancient Greek in primary schools, called Ancient Greek and Latin a living heritage in Europe, necessary to protect our common values. A few months ago, the book Classical Languages ​​in Primary School: A Tool for Social Justice, published by Routledge, was published by Evelien Brake. Therefore, we study the ancient Greek language not only by texts, and certainly not by their grammar or syntax. All these are instruments whose ultimate goal is to make us approach the good citizen of Socrates, the self-knowledge of Chilo, in order to reach at some point the fundamental principle of philosophy, εὖ ζεν.

Mrs Eugenia Manolidu is a musician.