A Longitudinal Qualitative Study of the Teaching of Greek as a Second Language in Western Australia under the “Seconded Teachers from Greece Scheme”
Abstract
The “Seconded Teachers from Greece Scheme” (STGS) has been operating in Australia
since 1977. Its concern has been with the maintenance and promotion of the Greek
language and culture through the secondment of teachers and the supply of material
resources from Greece. However, there has been no substantial research to date on its
progress in Western Australia (WA). The qualitative study that was undertaken for
the degree of Doctor of Education from the University of Western Australia aimed to
address this deficit. Specifically, the study aimed to generate theory regarding how the
key stakeholders “dealt with” the curriculum for teaching Greek as a second language
in WA under the STGS. It is this theory that will be the main focus of this paper. Mention
will also be made of the implications of the study for the development of policy
and practice, as well as for future research.