About the School

«ΚΙΒΩΤΟΣ» is Greek for "Ark" and we are the Modern Greek Language School at the Ascension Cathedral, located on the east side of San Francisco Bay, in Oakland, CA. Our teachers are native speakers and the school director has an MA in Second Language Teaching Methodology, plus over 11 years of professional experience. For inquiries or directions please visit the Contact us page.

Our Philosophy

Children are natural language learners. By the age of 6 children have acquired and mastered their own first language, through no formal instruction, by simply experiencing the language and interacting with others. This means that language is acquired more easily by being exposed to it and by creating an environment where language is real and meaningful since children naturally begin to function in it with no effort.

Taking into consideration that language is intake, we believe that acquiring Greek must follow the natural sequence of language acquisition – Listening – Speaking – Reading – Writing. Therefore, we encourage parents and children to view language learning as a long term process that is continuously building on new experiences and language exposure.

Introducing children to a second or foreign language at an early age offers them with a life-long advantage by supporting the development of their learning skills. The benefits extend to English competence as well as other subject areas like math and logic.

Learn more about our approach.

Our Mission

• To help kids and adults of both Greek and non-Greek descent learn the Greek language and discover the culture and heritage.

• To provide an inviting and friendly language environment enriched with supplementary materials and activities that target students’ interests and help learners grow to full potential.

• To advance awareness of the Greek culture and ethnic heritage in the melting pot of mainstream American society.

• To create bonds between people who value the Hellenic letters, culture and Orthodoxy.