Center for Slovene Language and Culture

Presentation

The Center for Slovenian Language and Culture was established in 2007 as an organizational unit of the Faculty of Humanities. Due to the increasing enrollment of foreign students at the University of Primorska, the Center plays a crucial role in organizing and conducting Slovenian language learning at various levels.

The main activities of the Center are:

• Organization and implementation of accredited courses: Slovenian as a Second/Foreign Language at levels A1, A2, and B1, and Slovenian History, Culture, Literature, and Society.
• Organization and execution of the summer school of Slovenian language “Hello, This is the Slovenian Mediterranean!”
• Organization and implementation of preparatory courses for future UP students called SpeakUP Slovene.
• Organization and implementation of Slovenian language courses for employees and students of English-taught study programs.
• Preparation of materials for learning Slovenian as a second/foreign language.
• Publication of scientific and professional articles on teaching Slovenian as a second/foreign language.
• Organization of mandatory internships for Slovenian studies students, where they gain experience in teaching Slovenian as a second/foreign language: they assist in preparing exercises and other course materials, provide additional group or individual assistance to students, observe classes, etc.

“Hello, this is the Slovene Mediterranean!”

The two–week summer school of Slovene “Hello, this is the Slovene Mediterranean” was first organized in 1994 and still attracts many students from all over the world. The courses are designed for all who would like to learn the Slovene, both complete beginners and those who already master the basics and wish to further improve their knowledge, so they are organized on different levels of knowledge (initial, interme– diate, and advanced). Morning lectures are complemented by additional afternoon assistance provided by Slovene students. In the evening, a wide variety of workshops are organized for the participants, where they learn more about Slovene culture, literature, cuisine, film etc. An all–day fieldtrip is also organized, where participants visit some beautiful Slovene towns and attractions and learn about cultural heritage. Throughout these years we have successfully combined the pleasant with the useful — learning Slovene while being on a two–week holiday by the sea.

Application Summer school 2024

Slovene language for foreign students

The Center organizes free lectures of Slovene for foreign students studying at the University of Primorska. Lectures are conducted in the form of an accredited course Slovene as a second/foreign language (at levels A1–B1). The implementation of the course Slovene language as a second/foreign language at the UP is extremely important since foreign students registered in study programmes with Slovene as the language of instruction are required to take it in their 2nd year, while students benefiting the Year plus program must reach at least 6 ECTS credits in Slovene language.

From a linguistic point of view, students are divided into language groups (1. Non– Slavic, 2. Macedonians, 3. Serbs, Croats, Bosnians, and Montenegrins — together because of the kinship of their languages). Since low in number, Russians and Ukrainians are joined to the Macedonian group. Content–wise, students are divided according to their faculties, so they are easily acquainted with their study programmes. Erasmus students have a separate group since besides learning Slovene the emphasis is also on comparing the different cultures they come from.

Courses and workshops

Accredited Courses

For international students studying at the University of Primorska, the Center organizes free Slovenian language courses. These courses are conducted as accredited subjects: Slovenian as a Second/Foreign Language (levels A1, A2, and B1). The implementation of the Slovenian as a Second/Foreign Language course at UP is extremely important, as international students enrolled in programs with Slovenian as the language of instruction must pass an A2 level Slovenian exam to enroll in the second year. Additionally, to utilize the “Year Plus” program, students must achieve at least 6 ECTS from Slovenian language proficiency.

Slovenian History, Culture, Literature, and Society

This course is primarily intended for exchange students, introducing them to Slovenian geography, history, culture, literature, art, media, and contemporary society. It comprises 60 hours and is worth 6 ECTS.

Course schedule

Materials