Education for Ethnic Minorities and Cross-Border Communities – Support and Development of Slovenian Language Instruction in Cross-Border Areas and Support and Development of Education for Ethnic Minorities in Slovenia 2021 (Croatia)

The project, which has been running since the 2012–2013 school year, remains an important mechanism for preserving the Slovenian language in areas where the Slovenian community has a limited presence. The year 2021 was still heavily marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, which meant that classes were held remotely during the first half of the year. During this period, approximately 81 students at six elementary schools were enrolled in the program. In the second half of the year, however, a significant turnaround occurred: the project expanded to 11 elementary schools, and the number of students increased to approximately 217, indicating a renewed growth in interest in learning Slovenian. A major achievement in 2021 was the development and publication of the workbook “Zakorakajmo v slovenščino” (Let’s Step into Slovenian), designed for beginners. The materials were prepared by the teachers themselves, marking a significant step toward improving didactic support for instruction. The teachers were also active in the professional sphere: they participated in virtual meetings, professional seminars, and a study on student motivation for learning the Slovenian language. Communication with institutions and schools has also been strengthened, which has contributed to the expansion of the project. Despite the progress, however, the report highlights key challenges: weak ties with the Slovenian community and the local environment, a lack of teaching materials, and the need for greater institutional support.