Greek language popular

Down Under

 

May 13, 2011

GREEK remains one of the most popular languages in Australia, according to the findings of new research conducted by the University of Notre Dame Australia. The study, which is part of the Australian Early Development Index, also suggests Greek is one of the most widely spoken languages in Australian households, as regards ethnic groups settled in Australia until 1974.

Of the 505,000 Greek- and Cypriot-origin Australian citizens, only 109,000 have been born outside Australia. 

The Greek language is characterised by resilience and a high retention indicator among primary school students, a slight decline in secondary schools and more substantial decline as an optional course for induction in Australian higher educational institutions. A notable increase was found in preschool centres and Greek-language kindergartens, mainly in Melbourne and Sydney.

“The positive results yielded by recent studies on the Greek language must intensify the systematic efforts of the Greek diaspora for the increase of Greek language preschool centres and kindergartens,” Anastasios Tamis, director of the university’s Greek department, said. 

ΠΗΓΗ / SOURCE: ANA - MPA