Children growing up in a multilingual environment often develop good communication skills. Mulitilingualism encourages respect and tolerance between people, it helps build inclusive societies. "Mulitilingualism also develops the child's analytical abilities", says Berta Papadopoulou, founder of the Norwegian School Association in Cyprus. Together with teacher Marit Strandheim, she spoke to us about how children can learn Norwegian in Cyprus.
A child who learns two languages often learns a third language more easily.
– Why do you think it is important for the children to learn Norwegian?
– The pupils who are born in Cyprus learn Norwegian from their Norwegian parent(s) and they visit Norway regularly. The parents are, of course happy that their children have the opportunity to learn about Norwegian language and culture, as Norway is their second country. For the pupils who want to study in Norway, it’s also an advantage to know written and spoken Norwegian, even though they do not make any final exams in Cyprus. We also experience that the families who live in Cyprus on short term stays are grateful that their children have the opportunity to be up to date in subjects offered by us before returning to their schools in Norway.
In this class from left: Rebekka Nicolaou, Eva Fossum, Marit Strandheim (the teacher), Christina Tuastad and Maria Heierdahl Petassis. In front is Stelios Nicolaou
– Who are your pupils, and what subjects are taught?
– They are mostly children with Norwegian and Greek Cypriot parents. Many Norwegian children also stay in Cyprus for a few years, mainly because the parents work here on long or short terms for Norwegian companies. The subjects are Norwegian language, social studies and religions, in Norwegian called “kompletterende undervisning”. The teachers follow the Norwegian curriculum, “Kunnskapsløftet”, and the schoolbooks are approved by the Norwegian Government and provided for by the school association. We rent classrooms, and the pupils are attending their classes for two lessons a week. The main teacher, Marit Strandheim, is responsible for the administration of the educational part and is a member of the School Board.
A former charge nurse, Berta Papadopoulou is active and committed: "The school Board is based on idealism and the people who administrate this, do this job as a charity", she says, and underlines that "It is a lot of effort, but it is also great fun".
– How are your school lessons financed, and are the new regulations from the County Governor of Oslo and Akershus going to affect you?
– The Norwegian School Association is supported by the Norwegian Government, “Fylkesmannen i Oslo og Akershus – Utdanningsavdelingen”. The parents also pay a school fee for each pupil and they are automatically a member of the School Association. The aim is that all Norwegian pupils can be able to join our lessons. Because of that, the Association arrange a popular yearly bazaar for the Norwegian Pensioners and others in Agia Napa the 1st Sunday in Advent, to rise enough money to run the school. It is the highlight of the year for both pupils, parents and visitors to the bazaar. The pupils entertain in Norwegian, and have the opportunity to show their skills, they sing carols and exhibit some of their works.
– The new regulations didn’t affect us at all, since we fortunately registered our School Association already in 2001. The only thing we needed was a translation of our official certificate. Our teachers pay the Social Contribution and taxes in Cyprus, as it has been done from the start. Our accountant, Kostas Coshis & co, also does a yearly form and report to the authorities.
This year, the School Association in Cyprus has 44 pupils, aged between six and sixteen.