Ethnic Issues – Coordination and Evaluation of Project Activities (Slovenians in Croatia) 2021

The document examines the current state, development, and challenges of learning the Slovenian language and culture in Croatia within the framework of a professional-development project carried out by the Institute for Ethnic Studies. The analysis is based on monitoring various forms of instruction and on a survey conducted among primary and secondary school students.

The teaching of Slovenian in Croatia takes place in several forms, primarily as supplementary classes (DPS), through Model C in primary and secondary schools, and within a special project in Varaždin County. Despite the demographic decline and ageing of the Slovenian community, the number of learners of Slovenian is gradually increasing, indicating growing interest in the language.

The research shows that most students do not have Slovenian as their mother tongue and learn it mainly for practical reasons, such as the desire to acquire a foreign language, communication with neighboring Slovenia, and opportunities for further education. This reflects a shift in the role of Slovenian from a heritage language to a language with increasing practical and economic value.

Teachers play a crucial role in the learning process, significantly influencing student motivation, while the quality of instruction is generally rated very positively by students. Nevertheless, the system faces several challenges, including a lack of appropriate teaching materials, staffing issues, organizational constraints, and inconsistent institutional support.

In conclusion, the teaching of Slovenian in Croatia is developing and producing positive results; however, it remains dependent on long-term systemic support, improved working conditions for teachers, and stronger cooperation between institutions and the Slovenian community.