Greek exam a first for the NT

27-May-2015

Kaleopy Kypreos and Ioannis Karavokiros participated in the exams held at CDU

Territorians have for the first time had the opportunity to sit an internationally recognised Greek language exam in Darwin through Charles Darwin University.

Eleven participants took part in the Certificate of Attainment in Greek exam at Casuarina campus, along with participants sitting the exam interstate and in other parts of the world.

The Darwin participants ranged from 10-year-old students to Greek language school teachers who were organised into one of six levels to take a written and oral exam.

Exam participant Kaleopy Kypreos said she hoped to receive the qualifications to compliment her current role as a teacher at the Greek Orthodox School of Darwin. 

“This is an opportunity for me to test my knowledge,” she said. “You can never stop expanding your understanding of a language.”

CDU Head of Greek Studies Associate Professor George Frazis said the certificate was recognised across Europe and would boost participants’ qualifications and employability in Greece.

“This is an historic moment for Darwin and the local Greek community,” Dr Frazis said.

He said the examination was organised by CDU and financially supported by the Greek Orthodox Community of Darwin.

“It is a great example of how CDU is working with the community and strengthening these longstanding, vital relationships,” he said.

The CDU initiative was welcomed by the Friends of Greek Language and Culture, the Guardians of Greek Language and Culture and the CDU Foundation. The Certificate of Attainment in Greek has been established by the Greek Government to provide users of Greek with an expert and objective opinion of their level of knowledge of Greek.