Slovene Language Teaching in Varaždin County 2024
The Slovenian language teaching project in Varaždin County confirms that learning Slovenian plays an important role in preserving the language, culture, and identity of the Slovenian community in Croatia. Despite the declining number of Slovenian speakers, the project enables contact with the language, particularly for younger generations, and contributes to greater recognition of Slovenian in the local community. In 2024, Slovenian language instruction was provided by one teacher who taught at several elementary schools in Varaždin County. This organizational structure allows for better coordination of instruction, but at the same time presents an organizational challenge due to the scattered locations and diversity of the student groups. In the 2023/2024 school year, 81 students were enrolled in the classes, and in the 2024/2025 school year, 71 students, indicating fluctuations in interest in learning the Slovenian language. In the first half of 2024, approximately 70 children attended classes, confirming a relatively stable yet sensitive enrollment pattern. An important added value of the project is the numerous extracurricular activities, such as field trips to Slovenia, participation in cultural events, and creative workshops. These activities significantly increase student motivation and contribute to a stronger connection with the Slovenian language and culture. Despite its positive effects, the project remains dependent primarily on student interest and community support, as the classes are not part of the mandatory curriculum and are not graded. The key challenges are therefore maintaining enrollment numbers, securing greater institutional support, and further developing modern and engaging teaching approaches. For the long-term development of Slovenian language instruction in Varaždin County, it is essential to strengthen cooperation between Slovenian and Croatian institutions, improve the promotion of learning Slovenian, and provide students with more direct contact with the linguistic environment in Slovenia. Only through a comprehensive approach will it be possible to ensure stable growth in interest and the sustainable development of Slovenian language instruction in the border region.
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