The Italian Ministry Of Education, University and Research - Regional School Office For Puglia has granted the patronage to the project “Pos Matome Griko” ( resolution Prot. N °. 10129 of December 19, 2011).
The patronage of the Ministry of Education is an important recognition of the value of the project, which falls within the EU Lifelong Learning program, and to the work of the Agency for Cultural Heritage, leader partner of the project, and of all the other Greek, Italian and Cypriot partners - as British Hellenic College (GR), Alpha Publications (GR), Institute of Mediterranean Cultures (IT), University of Cyprus (CY) - whose contribution to the development and production of educational materials, ITC supports is the foundation of the success of the project.
POS Matome griko is a particularly innovative project because this is the first time that the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), is used for teaching and learning a minority language. All new educational tools, absolutely innovative for concept and methodology, have been implemented according to CEFRS guidelines and requirements with the contribution of all the involved partners
The traditional educational tools as vocabularies, books, language courses for children and adults, are, in fact, supported by modern ICT applied to education: the website – www.e-griko.eu , where users have also the access to the forum and to the e-learning platform.
It has been developed also an educational software, and created a Facebook group to engage and catch the attention of young people.
Nevertheless, the new didactic approach also takes in consideration adults who will have access to a comprehensive and integrated educational system for learning Griko at all levels.
The patronage of the Ministry of Education is therefore an important testimony of the value of an innovative teaching system that fully integrates old and new, tradition and innovation, aiming at promoting and protecting Griko language and traditions, in those very where it is spoken. Project Griko comes to fill a didactic, methodological and historical gap, which is one of the main reason of the dispersion of this old and precious linguistic heritage. The availability of modern teaching materials and the development of specific educational curricula are the strengths of the project to raise awareness on the important cultural and historical role played by Griko in everyday life and behavior of the Griko speaking population.
