Slovenian Grammar

Slovenian Grammar section is a brief overview of the main linguistic elements that form the basis of Slovenian language, as identified and set out by Slovenian linguist Jože Toporišič in his course-book, “Zakaj ne po slovensko”. The overview is intended to serve as an introduction and to inform about the nature of Slovenian language.

In nine separate sections of Prof. Toporišič schematic presentation, there are tables and charts of the basic elements of Slovenian language, with explanatory notes.

Slovenian Folk Literature

Slovenian folk tales (Slovenske ljudske pravljice) is presented with English translation in 2008. The tales have been selected and translated by Aleksandra Ceferin. The main resource used is the reprinted collection Bajke in pripovedke slovenskega ljudstva by Jakob Kelemina first published in 1930. Literature is an essential component of Slovenian language and culture study. Folk literature has been collected systematically in Slovenia since the early nineteenth century, and there are many publications of folklore collections.

In the classroom folk literature is introduced to be read by students at lower secondary levels, followed by significant works from Primož Trubar to modern literature at senior or more advanced levels. The method was to firstly discuss the literary form, the beliefs and life of the people of that time and continuity to the present day. The texts were read, translated, with attention to vocabulary, pronounciation, meaning and read aloud for reading practice. References are listed in the Literature section of the Bibliography of Slovenian Teaching Resources.

Slovenian Teaching Resources

These resources have been developed by ISSV since 1991 following the major reform of the Victorian state school system. The material has formed the core content in the teaching of Slovenian language from years 5-12.

The Slovenian language resources are intended for both teachers and students: there is an extensive general bibliography and a linguistic elements chart which sets out the fundamental grammatical items that students of Slovenian should be familiar with. Course development topics years 4-10, lists of text types and language functions provide a useful practical guide in planning language activities for different levels.

The CSF (since 2006 replaced by VELS) approach to teaching and assessment is a thematic and highly integrated approach to teaching languages. It provides the basis for curriculum planning in Victorian schools and it is valuable in defining the areas of learning and the learning outcomes to be achieved by students.

Slovenian Courses & Grants

In Australia the formal classes of Slovenian have been suspended first in New South Wales, then in Victoria, due to small numbers of enrolments. In 2005 the last 4 students have graduated in Slovenian as a Year 12 subject in Melbourne, bringing to a close the period of 25 years of Slovenian teaching in the Australian school system. At pre-school and primary level Slovenian continues to be taught in centres and some clubs.

Slovenian language courses at all levels are offered throughout the year by the Center for Slovene, University of Ljubljana and universities around the world. Scholarships and exchange programs are available.

Teaching Archives

The archives contain key elements of the teaching of Slovenian language during the period of the most intensive educational reform in the state of Victoria from 1991 to 2005.

In 1991 Victoria introduced the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), which comprised the two senior levels of the secondary education and included curriculum structure and assessment process during the course of the year and the final examination.

During the nineties the reform was gradually extended to years 1 - 10 of the primary and secondary education. The new system was named Curriculum and Standards Framework (CSF).

For Slovenian all these elements were incorporated in the curriculum document, published by Victorian School of Languages in 2003, VCE and CSF Course Outline, written by A.L. and A.A. Ceferin. This course outline has also been used in the development of other language courses in school system.