When somebody thinks of Boston, they may not instantly think of the huge Greek community, but Greek culture and traditions in Boston are alive and well, and one of the biggest communities of Greek people in the whole of the US is in the state of Massachusetts.
That means there are also Greek language schools and opportunities for those who want to learn Greek.
What is Driving Boston’s Greek Community?
Boston has its own “Greek Town” areas, in the same way some cities have a Chinatown, for instance. The communities in these areas often congregate together and there are Greek schools as well as restaurants and cultural hubs that celebrate Greek Americans.
Reasons for there being so many Greek people in Boston include:
Immigration
Like many other immigrant groups, Greeks started coming to the United States in significant numbers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in search of economic opportunities and fleeing political unrest in their homeland. Many settled in Boston due to its industrial economy, which offered job opportunities, particularly in sectors like manufacturing, shipping, and trade. Entrepreneur Samuel Slater played a big part in this, as he set up spinning mills which provided a lot of employment opportunities for Greek people moving to the area in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Boston's status as a major port city in the US made it an attractive destination for immigrants, including Greeks, some of whom even worked in maritime industries. The accessibility of Boston's port facilitated trade and commerce, drawing in immigrants who sought employment in related industries.
A Thriving Greek Community
Once Greeks began settling in Boston, they formed tight-knit communities centered around shared cultural and religious institutions. Churches, social clubs, and cultural organizations provided support networks and helped preserve Greek identity and traditions. Watertown, Cambridge, Arlington, Woburn, and Lexington are all known as areas with high concentrations of Greek people. There are even regular events aimed at Greek people in the city.
Once established, Greek communities in Boston engaged in chain migration, where relatives and friends from the same villages or regions in Greece followed those who had already settled in Boston. This pattern further reinforced the Greek presence in the city and more people studying Greek.
Educational Opportunities
To this day, Greek students can ensure they are educated with their own culture’s values and language in the state. Plus, Boston's renowned educational institutions, such as Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), attracted Greek students seeking higher education. Some of these students chose to remain in Boston after completing their studies, contributing to the Greek population.
Why Learn Greek in Boston?
Many people in Boston choose to attend Greek classes or even a Greek language school in order to try to connect more with their culture. There are a lot of third and fourth generation immigrants now who may have grown up with English as their main language, but now want to learn modern Greek.
Reasons for learning the language include:
- Travel: Greece is a popular tourist destination known for its stunning landscapes, ancient ruins, and vibrant culture. Learning Greek can enhance the travel experience by facilitating communication with locals and gaining a deeper appreciation of the country's heritage. Of course, you don’t have to speak Greek or take online Greek classes to visit the country, but it can help with communicating.
- Greek culture: Whether you have Greek heritage or not, Greek classes can also help you to learn about the culture. Many individuals are drawn to the Greek language and culture due to its rich history, literature, philosophy, art, and mythology. Learning Greek allows them to engage more deeply with these aspects of Greek civilization.
- Education: Students pursuing degrees in fields such as classics, archaeology, history, linguistics, or religious studies may need to learn Greek to access primary sources, conduct research, or fulfill academic requirements. Greek is an ancient language, and while many online greek courses focus on learning the modern version of the Greek language, there are many similarities.
Learn Greek Through Traditional Education
Before we get to some of the online Greek courses and best ways to learn the Greek language if you aren’t looking to attend school or university, it is worth exploring the Greek education scene in Boston.
Greek Schools in Boston
There are many different schools in Boston with a focus on Greek classes. These will help kids with Greek classes and can allow parents to ensure their children are educated in the Greek language.
Some of the Greek schools in Boston include:
- Greek 4 Kids - Newton, MA 02459
- Greek Group (GG) Tutoring School - Lexington MA 02420
- Hellenic American Academy - Lowell, MA 01854
- Hellenic College - Brookline, MA 02445
- Little Halos Day Preschool - Arlington, MA 02476
- Metropolis of Boston Folk Dance Group - Brookline MA 02445
- Saint Athanasius Greek School - Arlington, MA 02476
- Saint Catherine’s Greek School - Braintree, MA 02184
- St. George Greek School - Lynn MA 01902
- St. Nectarios’ Greek School - Roslindale MA 02131
- The Olive Tree Greek Education and Cultural Center - Norwell, MA 02061
- Theophany School - Needham, MA 02492
One of the most popular and famous Greek schools in the area is Saint Athanasius. Of course, the best way to learn Greek language skills is to be immersed from a young age, and the school has native Greek teachers to help students to grow their knowledge. There is also a Sunday school at Saint Athanasius for young people to attend on the weekend.
The Olive Tree Greek Education and Cultural Center is another option for those looking to learn the language from a young age, and people can enroll their children in their classes to ensure they learn a curriculum built on Greek values.
Boston University
“When you learn Greek at BU, the city is your classroom. Your classes will include experiences around the city sampling Greek food, visiting museums, and seeing Greek dramatic performances.”
Boston University Website
For those who are entering college and want to learn Greek, Boston University offers a unique opportunity to do so. Their course in Modern Greek allows students to learn the language with a focus on literature and culture as well as the language.
This course even has a summer expedition, allowing students to visit Greece as part of their learning experience. The fact that this course is based in Boston allows for a much more immersive experience for learners.
Contact Information:
- 📞 Phone: +1 617-353-2000
The Greek Institute
"The Greek language is our most precious gift to the world. The loftiest ideas and most refined sentiments have been expressed through the Greek language."
Athan Anagnostopoulos, Founder & Director
The Greek Institute is an important player in the Greek scene around Boston. They offer online Greek courses as well as an option to take Greek classes in person.
The Greek Institute is actually located just outside of Boston, but it is easy to reach for those living in the area. As well as providing Greek lessons, the center is a hub for Greek culture.
The Greek Institute makes a promise of only 10-12 students in each class to ensure that people get a good level of contact with their Greek tutors online, unlike some other online Greek language courses which may have loads of students, making it hard to get individual feedback.
The institution also has a number of publications as well as other events and support for the Greek community in the area. Having this kind of organization is a huge win for learning Greek in Boston, and helps to keep the culture thriving.
Contact Information:
- 📞 Phone: +1 617-661-9150
Harvard University
If you are super serious about learning the Greek language, there is a Program of Modern Greek Studies at Harvard, which is part of the Department of the Classics.
The department has been providing the qualification since 1978 and in 1987 they even started offering a doctorate.
You don't necessarily have to be taking a degree course to study Greek, of course, and Harvard also has an extension school where they periodically offer Greek language lessons along with other studies.
Contact Information:
- 📞 Phone: +1 (617) 495-1000
Learn Greek Online With Superprof
Though there are many ways to potentially pursue an interest in Greek and learning the Greek language in Boston, few have as much flexibility as the Greek classes and tuition on Superprof.
Superprof can connect potential students with flexible and knowledgeable tutors for either Greek online classes or in-person lessons depending on your preference. It is the ideal way to find Greek tutors that can create a personal learning experience and help you to hit your goals.
Reach out to a tutor in your area today to get the ball rolling and start to learn the Greek language.
Enjoyed this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
