Coordination and Evaluation of Slovenian Language Learning in Croatia

Support and Development of Slovenian Language Instruction in Cross-Border Areas – Croatia
In 2023, the results of staffing changes are evident, which can be assessed as an improvement due to:

• easier communication with school principals;
• a better overview of the situation on the ground;
• easier communication with representatives and members of the Slovenian community in Croatia.

In the first half of 2023, there was a noticeable decline in the number of students; however, it is positive that the number increased in the second half of 2023 (the start of the new school year). An important step is the fact that the teacher has established contact with representatives of the Slovenian community in Croatia. This is important because Slovenian language instruction is primarily intended for Slovenians and their descendants, but it also provides an excellent opportunity for children who have no family ties to Slovenia to learn the language of their neighbor.

We assess that through these staffing changes, we have achieved:

• better cooperation with the Slovenian community in Croatia in general;
• better communication and cooperation with education representatives in Varaždin County;
• an increase in the number of students following a significant decline (which requires further monitoring);
• better awareness on the part of INV and MIZŠ regarding developments on the ground;
• better coordination with the Union of Slovenian Associations in Croatia, resulting in all children receiving appropriate teaching materials during the 2022/23 and 2023/24 school years;
• better communication with representatives of the Office of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia for Slovenians Abroad and Around the World;

To improve the quality of instruction and increase the number of students, the following would be necessary:

• to carry out more intensive promotion of the Slovenian language and culture in Varaždin County with the aim of increasing the number of students who would enroll in the Slovenian language program, although certain steps have already been taken.