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Melbourne, March 15, 2002M
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ISSUE I/IV, MARCH 2002:
REPORT FROM MELBOURNE
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Dragi
prijatelji / Dear friends,
It
is time to let you know about the latest news. This
month new material has been published in Sloveniana
webzine and Slovenian Webclassroom. Chiron Morpheus,
Thezaurus project consultant and web developer, is currently
working in Slovenia, and also seeing to several Thezaurus
projects as the representative of ISSV in Slovenia.
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Sloveniana Webzine
There
are two new articles: Ptuj,
the oldest Slovenian City and The
Mithraic Cult in Slovenia.
Both
articles will be of special interest to the prospective
visitor to Slovenia, and the reader interested in Slovenian
history, for the rich historical texture offered by the
city of Ptuj, encapsulating as they do the historical
dimension of this charming and lively mediaeval city,
with 2000 years history.
There is a great deal more in Slovenia to engage the reader's
interest, so keep clicking on throughout the year for
more articles. |
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Slovenian Webclassroom
The
webclassroom represents a new and innovative approach
to teaching language and culture by using the resources
available on the Web. It consists of topics about Slovenia
and all the activities are based on websites that are
relevant to the topic. Sandi
Ceferin, writer of the webclassroom project, has
produced six more units of work. There are now altogether
twelve topic outlines about Slovenia and Slovenian society.
The new units are: Environment,
Ljubljana, Maribor,
Ptuj, School,
Work.
The
topics and activities of the webclassroom have been
selected for the language learner for interest, stimulation
and variety. They are dependent on the range and availability
of existing web resources. Three of the latest topics
are about features of major Slovenian cities - their
history, customs, festivals, and attractions. The other
three topics are about Slovenian society. The selected
web sites of each topic, used for the various language
activities, are also listed in the Resources section
of each topic and represent a good range of links for
anyone interested in the topic.
The websites are usually bilingual, Slovenian and English,
since the majority of our potential students are not
expected to be proficient in Slovenian. Some Slovenian
only links, for the advanced student, are also included.
Methodology
The methodology for this approach - applied also in
the classroom - is to read the English version first
for understanding, then the Slovenian version, compiling
a list of essential vocabulary items. This can be underpinned
with grammatical analysis of the text, combined with
reinforcement of various grammatical structures and
vocabulary exercises, and reading aloud. This approach
would lead to an increasing familiarity with Slovenian.
There is great value in using the web as a language
and culture resource:
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1. web sites can be selected for quality and relevance
from the vast store on the Web
2. the content is current, available, updated and
relevant and
3. available to the student in his/her first language
and the second language, thus promoting fast learning
and acquisition of knowledge at the same time
4. this approach introduces the student to the Internet
as a learning tool for acquisition of language and
knowledge of culture.
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Individual topics comprise selected links on each topic
(as many quality links as are currently available) and
suggest activities and focus for research and study. There
are nine different activities and/or directions suggested,
from which to choose or to undertake systematic study.
Most webpages are bilingual, so that the students can
learn as much as they wish by reading and investigating
further. At the same time they can also absorb as much
Slovenian language as they are prepared or determined
to acquire.
The topics have been selected for interest, suitability
and availability on Slovenian web. They are also used
for classroom teaching in the Victorian School of Languages,
Melbourne, according to Curriculum Standards Framework
teaching methodology required in Victorian schools (for
CSF methodology see www.thezaurus.com, Slovenian Language
Resources).
Future topics on the media and music scene will add sound
to the learning process, with live music, reports, interviews
and speeches.
New
projects
We are developing several new projects and waiting for
response from Slovenian government bodies. We will let
you know more in our next Thezaurus Newsletter.
About Books
In Slovenia one still feels the excitement when a new
book, in its pristine condition and fresh from the publisher
is presented to the public. Slovenes make a great occasion
of it, particularly if it is a book of some significance.
There are a number of books that have been launched recently.
I have already mentioned Slovenski Pravopis. It is the
reference work that every person writing in Slovenian
should have access to. It is available from the book store
Mladinska Knjiga in Ljubljana and can be ordered via Internet,
www.emka.si.
A very beautiful and poetical work on Slovenian land and
people is the book of riddles - Uganke Vascanke (Village
Riddles) of Ivan Cimerman. It is remarkable for beautiful
photography and the riddles, which are a Slovenian traditional
literary form. It can be ordered from Mladinska Knjiga.
I would also like to recommend the bilingual (English
and Slovenian) collection of Slovenian traditional tales
by Dusica Kunaver, with the title Slovenske ljudske pripovedke/Slovene
Legends. It is a charming collection of traditional Slovenian
folk tales, soon to be followed by a CD-ROM version).
The book can be ordered directly from: Prof. Dusica Kunaver
at www.dk-sp.si (fax.
061 823 086 or email info@dk-sp.si)
The most recent publication - in Slovenian only - is the
collection of folk-tales by Lea Fatur with the title Dom
Dedov (Home of our Forefathers). They are original stories
told by grandmothers in Zagorje (the place behind the
mountains) to generations of children gathered around
the fire on long winter evenings. I can vouch for this.
My own father told me about these wonderful evenings and
knew Lea Fatur as a close friend of his mother's. Prof.
Silvo Fatur has lovingly collected the tales. Like the
writer he was born and raised in Zagorje na Pivki, and
shares with her the love for the rich folk heritage of
the area. I am told that the book-launch in Zagorje, was
a great success and all the available books were sold
immediately.
Anyone interested may contact me for further information:
email:ISSV@thezaurus.com
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Best Wishes,
Sasha
Ceferin
Institute
for Slovenian Studies of Victoria
speak to the world, learn a language.
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