Dr Evangelinou-Yiannakis Angela

Unit Coordinator & Lecturer; Honorary Research Fellow Graduate School of Education, The University of Western Australia

angela.evangelinou-yiannakis@uwa.edu.au

The Centre for the Greek Language Examinations in Perth: Intra-community connectivity through common examinations

Abstract

This presentation will provide the background to the commencement of the Centre for the Greek Language (CGL) examinations in Perth, Western Australia, the establishment of an official examination centre, the progress made over the years, and the current state of play.  It will include the motivation behind the commencement of the initiative, and the reasons behind the drive to continue offering the CGL examinations annually.  A key focus area of the presentation will be the way in which the annual examinations bring together the different Greek education providers in Perth, connecting the Greek community in a way that is both positive and productive.  Candidates are invited from all over Perth to sit the annual examinations in May at St. Andrew’s Grammar, the official examination centre.  The invitation attracts candidates of all ages, starting from 8 years of age through to adulthood.  The levels attempted range from the easiest; these being Levels A1 (8-12 years of age) and A1 (adolescents and adults), through to the most challenging, being Level C2.  Whilst numbers have fluctuated over the years, there has been a steady and on-going stream of candidates since 2005, when the first examinations were offered through to the present day.  In recent times, some Greek education providers have opted to follow the curriculum for the Centre for the Greek Language examinations, thus preparing their candidates throughout the year for the levels on offer.

Biography

Dr Angela Evangelinou-Yiannakis is an Honorary Research Fellow, Unit Coordinator and Lecturer of Master of Teaching and Master of Education units at the Graduate School of Education, The University of Western Australia, from where she received a Doctor of Education in 2009. She has been a secondary school teacher since 1980, and a leader and principal in independent schools from 1994-2010, 2012-2016, and again in 2022. Dr Evangelinou-Yiannakis has a number of refereed publications, including a book based on her doctoral research. She is currently involved in initial teacher education at The University of Western Australia as well as at Australian Catholic University, in partnership with Teach for Australia.