Dr. Polyvia Parara Presents at 11th MGSA Biennial Pedagogy Workshop

Dr. Parara speaks on emerging pedagogies.

The Department of Classics is delighted to announce that Dr. Polyvia Parara delivered a well-received paper at the 11th MGSA Biennial Pedagogy Workshop, “The Future of Greek Language and Culture Pedagogy: New Challenges and Opportunities,” held at Boston University on October 25, 2025.

Her presentation, titled “Collaborative Learning and Cultural Inquiry: A Pedagogical Model for Modern Greek Language Courses,” was praised by attendees for its innovation, clarity, and forward-looking approach to Modern Greek language instruction.

Dr. Parara’s paper explored emerging pedagogies for teaching Modern Greek, emphasizing the integration of cultural content within a multi-level curriculum. She highlighted a semester-long collaborative research project in which students investigate a major topic in Hellenism and present their work at the annual UMD Modern Greek Studies Undergraduate Conference. Through this model, she demonstrated how structured scaffolding—content lectures, topic selection, collaborative learning, feedback cycles, and guided class discussion—can be embedded effectively in language syllabi.

Her talk also examined the crucial role of cultural, literary, and historical material in supporting Modern Greek programs. She argued that incorporating substantive cultural content not only enriches linguistic learning but also strengthens student engagement, supports enrollment, and reinforces the relevance of Modern Greek within broader academic conversations about Hellenism.

By aligning pedagogical practice with current technological realities and cultural literacy goals, Dr. Parara offered a sustainable, replicable model for colleagues seeking to revitalize and expand Modern Greek language instruction. The department congratulates her on this successful contribution to the field.