A Proposal for a Study of the Seconded Teachers from Greece Program in Western Australia

Abstract

This paper forms the basis of a proposal for a doctoral thesis that will focus on the improvement of the quality of the curriculum for teaching Greek as a second language under the Seconded Teachers from Greece program. Specifically, the paper proposes that a focus on the perspectives of the key stakeholders on the curriculum for teaching Greek as a second language is the key to understanding the problems encountered by the seconded teachers in Australia. While the study is specific to Western Australia, the paper outlines the broad history of the seconded teacher program in Australia and the developments over time. There follows a more detailed account of the history of the teaching of Greek in WA and the association between local efforts and the contributions of the Greek government appointees to various institutions. The perceived problems of the seconded teachers are outlined and the paper proposes that the perspectives of the key stakeholders be canvassed.