The Future of Community Languages in Canada: The Case of Modern Greek

Friday, February 26, 2016

Munk School of Global Affairs

1 Devonshire Place, Room 108N

Canada is among the culturally and linguistically super diverse nations. As the numbers of migrant languages are constantly growing (200 languages spoken currently across the nation) many cultural communities are concerned with the intergenerational transmission of their heritage. This process is essential for the preservation of the Canadian mosaic and is mandated under the official policy of multiculturalism.

Teaching community languages is a complex educational endeavor that requires collaboration at different levels and partnerships between various institutions. This forum focuses on the current status and the potential development of international/heritage language education in Ontario through the case of Modern Greek.
The first session will explore the trajectory of international/heritage languages in North America by examining and comparing policy, research and program implementation in the context of USA and Canada. Policy makers and practitioners including representatives of the International Languages Educators’ Association (ILEA) and Public School Boards will discuss various aspects of the international languages programs in Ontario such as the recent curriculum guidelines for the elementary and secondary divisions.

The second session explores in particular the teaching and learning of Modern Greek in Ontario. Through the lens of a community-based research inquiry that identified organizational, resourcing and teaching-quality strengths and challenges, researchers and representatives of community organizations will explore strategies and synergies for promoting the further development of community languages for the next generations of learners in Canada.

Schedule

8:45 – 9:00	COFFEE / REGISTRATION
9:00 – 9:15	*Welcome Introduction* Dr. Robert Austin (Associate Professor, CERES-University of Toronto) Dr. Maria Lychnaki (Consul Educational Affairs, General Consulate of Greece-Toronto) Dr. Peter Trifonas Conference Chair (Professor, OISE-University of Toronto)
9:15 – 9:45	*Multiculturalism and the status of Heritage Languages in Canada and the USA* Dr. Naomi Nagy (Associate Professor, Department of Linguistics, University of Toronto) Dr. Jeff Bale (Associate Professor, OISE-University of Toronto) Dr. James Cummins (Professor Emeritus, OISE- University of Toronto)
9:50 – 10:20	*Teaching International Languages in Ontario: K-8 Guidelines-Secondary Curriculum* Jolly Yang (Program Manager, International Languages, Continuing and International Education, Toronto District School Board-TDSB) Maria Ioannou-Makrakis (International Languages Educators’ Association-ILEA)/Site Principal, International Languages Program Ottawa Carleton District School Board) Luca Buiani (Chair, ILEA/Coordinator of International Languages, York Catholic District School Board)
10:25 – 10:45	*Q&A*
10:45 – 11:00	BREAK / SNACKS
11:00 – 11:15	*Culture, Language and Ethnic Organizations in Canada* Dr. Nikolaos Liodakis (Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, Wilfrid Laurier University)
11:15 – 11:35	*The Hidden Schools: Mapping Greek Language Education in Canada* Dr. Themistoklis Aravossitas (Post-Doc Research Fellow SSHRC Canada, Hellenic Studies Program, CERES-University of Toronto)
11:40 – 12:20	*Community-Based Greek Language Programs in Ontario* Spyros Volonakis (Director of Education, Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto Canada) Kostas Flegas (Director of Education Greek Community of Toronto) Harris Gratsias (President, Hellenic Canadian Community of York Region, Hellenic Academy of York) Maria Xenikakis (President, Hellenic Language Teachers of Ontario/ Program Officer, International Languages, TDSB) Dr. Theodore Tzalalis (President, Panmessinian Association of USA-Canada)
12:20 – 12:30	*Q&A*