Throughout America, there are many different places with large Greek populations, and Chicago is one of the places where many Greek people have settled over the years.
Many people in the region are looking for Greek language lessons, sometimes to reconnect with Greek roots or visit the country, other times to appreciate the Greek history and cultural significance, and sometimes just as a hobby. In Chicago, there are Greek classes for those who want to take them, as well as ways to engage with lessons online and grow your language skills. Whether you want to learn the absolute basics or you are looking to get to a fluency level, Chicago is a good place to start learning.
Greek Connections in Chicago
Greece has an indelible connection with the city of Chicago, and helped to shape the city and its culture, as well as ensuring that there are Greek language lessons available. The city claims to have the oldest Greek Town region in the whole of the US.
Greek Town can be traced to 1840 when Greeks came to the US looking for work opportunities, and when the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 happened, many Greeks went to the area to help rebuild.
Christ Chakonas, known as the "Columbus of Sparta," played a significant role in recruiting Greeks to Chicago. The community grew rapidly, with immigrants finding work in construction, food, and commerce in the city's business center.
In the first instance, Greek immigration to Chicago was predominantly male, with many young men seeking economic opportunities or avoiding conscription in the Turkish army. However, after 1904, larger numbers of Greek women arrived, often as "picture brides."
Greek immigrants initially settled in the central city near their places of work. By the turn of the 20th century, they concentrated in the "Greek Delta" on the Near West Side, forming a self-contained community. This also led to many aspects of Greek culture spreading through the city, including Greek language schools.
“Back in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Greek immigrants weren’t just coming to America—they were coming to Chicago. As a result, the city became the primary unification point for all Greek culture in the United States. Chicago was, truly, the first “Greektown” in the nation.”
GreekTown Chicago
The strongest connections to Greece in the whole of the US are arguably in Chicago, including a Greek fest!
The Taste of Greece is a Chicago festival that celebrates food, but also the many aspects of Greek culture! This annual event takes place on Halsted Street and also has performances by Greek musicians. There is also a Greek festival run by the St. Demetrios Church.
Why Learn Greek in Chicago?
So what are the motivations to take Greek language classes for those based in Chicago? Whether they want to get involved with an online Greek course or learn in person, there are many plus sides to speaking the language.
There are many people with ties to Greece, as discussed, some with personal or ancestral ties to the country and its culture. Learning Greek allows them to connect with their heritage, communicate with relatives, or explore their roots through language and identity.
Greece is seen by many as the birth of modern culture, and this means that many people want to visit the country. It is one of the few places with ruins from thousands of years ago that people can visit. Learning Greek enhances the travel experience by facilitating communication with locals, gaining insights into the country's customs, and fostering deeper cultural immersion.
Chicago is also a place where people can study Greek culture and language. Students pursuing degrees in classics, archaeology, history, linguistics, or religious studies often need to learn Greek to access primary sources, conduct research, or fulfill academic requirements. Proficiency in Greek opens doors to specialized fields of study and research opportunities. The University of Chicago even has a classics department. Their site explains: “We are developing innovative approaches to the study of Greco-Roman antiquity through our collaborative work with scholars in a wide variety of fields.”
As Chicago has so many places to go and use Greek in practical, everyday life, it is one of the best locations outside of Greece to learn the language, and to learn about Greek culture.
Learning Greek within Educational Establishments in Chicago
Of course, one of the main ways in which people take Greek classes is in a traditional and formal education environment.
Hellenic American Academy
Located in Deerfield, a suburb of Chicago, the Hellenic American Academy offers education from preschool through 8th grade with a focus on Greek language, culture, and Orthodox Christian values.
One of the great things about the Hellenic American Academy is that it offers courses for a variety of people at different stages in their lives. For students who wish to learn Greek as a second language, they can study part time for the Ellinomatheia Certificate. They also run the Socrates Day School, and a Saturday school that provides classes for Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary, and High School.
Contact Information:
- 📞 Phone: +1 847-317-1063
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox School
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago offers Greek language classes and cultural programs for members of the community, including children and adults.
They run the Solon school, which has a program of Greek language lessons that people can take part in, taking part on both weekday evenings and on Saturdays. The church is also a crucial part of the Greek community in Chicago and they help run a "Winter Greek Fest" as well as many other events where people can work on their Greek and use the language conversationally.
Contact Information:
- 📞 Phone: +1 773-561-5992
The Center for Hellenic Studies at the University of Chicago
This center serves as a collaborative hub for scholars exploring various facets of the Hellenic world, including language, art, philosophy, history, and culture.
What makes the Center for Hellenic Studies particularly valuable is its holistic vision of Greece as more than just a geographical or political entity, or just a language. Instead, it conceptualizes Greece as a multifaceted intellectual space shaped by diverse historical, geographical, and cultural influences.
The center places special emphasis on studying the Hellenic diaspora and shedding light on the varied Greek experiences and identities that exist worldwide, with the unique perspective from the Greek community in Chicago.
Overall, the Center for Hellenic Studies at the University of Chicago offers an enriching environment for scholars to engage deeply with the complexities of the Hellenic world, with classes and courses including:
- Elementary Modern Greek I
- Intermediate Modern Greek I
- Poetry and Papyrology: Reconstructing the Greek Literary Canon
- The Structure of Greek
- Hellenistic Ethics
- Plato’s Phaedrus
- Intermediate Modern Greek II
- The Greek Novel
- Elementary Modern Greek III
Students have an opportunity to learn Greek at an advanced level and even pursue a future career in Greek areas through the University of Chicago.
Contact Information:
- 📞 Phone: +1 773-702-1234
If your focus is on language, the Modern Greek classes will be the ideal place to get started at the University of Chicago, but not everybody is looking to learn in a traditional university environment, and it isn’t the most flexible way to learn.
Online Greek Lessons with Superprof
Ready to start taking online Greek classes? Superprof connects you with experienced Greek tutors who provide personalized instruction tailored to your learning style, goals, and proficiency level. Whether you’re already studying Greek at school and need some extra help, or you are a total beginner looking to learn before a vacation, we can help.
With Superprof, you have the option to choose between in-person or online lessons, providing flexibility and convenience based on your preferences and location. Unlike some Greek classes that take place in person, you can schedule Greek lessons at times that are convenient for you, whether it's during the day, in the evening, or on weekends. This flexibility allows you to fit language learning into your schedule.
A simple search with Superprof for Greek tutors in Chicago can bring up a variety of different options. You can type "Greek" as the subject you're interested in learning and specify your location, then you’ll be met with a list of Greek tutors available in Chicago. Browse through the tutor profiles to review their qualifications, teaching experience, rates, and reviews from past students.
Due to the fact that Greek culture has so many connections with Chicago, there are plenty of tutors that have a long history of speaking Greek and even have Greek heritage. Of course, if you are taking Greek classes online, it doesn’t matter if you choose to work with a tutor outside of Chicago, either, as you’ll be connecting virtually.
By following a few simple steps, you can find a Greek tutor and begin your journey of learning the Greek language with personalized instruction tailored to your needs and preferences.
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