Guests on the program from Johannesburg were Dr. Eleni Griva, Professor of Applied Linguistics and Vice Rector at the University of Western Macedonia, Director of the Institute of Greek Language, internationally recognized for her work in promoting Greek as a second/foreign language; Elena Piperidou, Director of the Greek Studies Department at the Middle School and High School of SAHETI School; and Dr. Georgios Vlachos, Deputy Education Coordinator for Johannesburg.
The occasion for the discussion was Dr. Griva’s visit to SAHETI School with the aim of updating the textbooks used in the Greek Studies program. They spoke about the challenges facing Greek-language education abroad, and especially in Johannesburg; the role of teachers working overseas and the need for their professional development; and SAHETI School, which contributes to preserving the identity of students of Greek descent while also fostering philhellenes.