Ethnic Issues – Coordination and Evaluation of Project Activities (Slovenians in Croatia) 2024

Learning the Slovenian Language in Croatia: Current Status, Challenges, and Reading Practices Among Students According to Model C

The study confirms that the teaching of the Slovenian language in Croatia takes place in a complex social and educational environment characterized by a demographic decline of the Slovenian community, weak intergenerational language transmission, and, at the same time, a gradual expansion of institutional opportunities for learning Slovenian. In this context, the education system plays a key role in the preservation and development of the Slovenian language as a minority language.

In the 2023/2024 school year, a total of 348 students (254 in elementary schools and 94 in secondary schools) were enrolled in Slovenian language classes under Model C, indicating a stable and gradually growing interest in learning the language. At the same time, the number of participating teachers is also increasing, which is a key factor in the development and quality of instruction.

The results of the reading survey show that reading books in Slovenian among students is still underdeveloped. Only a small proportion of students read books in Slovenian, citing insufficient language proficiency, limited vocabulary, and inadequate access to books as the main obstacles.

Nevertheless, there is interest in learning Slovenian, which is often linked to proximity to Slovenia, family ties, and educational and employment opportunities. This indicates a shift in the understanding of the language—from a purely identity-based value to one that also serves practical and economic functions.

To improve the situation, it is crucial to increase access to Slovenian books, systematically promote reading, and strengthen the role of teachers as motivators for language use even outside the classroom. It is also important to further connect schools, cultural associations, and institutions, and to develop a long-term strategy for strengthening knowledge and use of the Slovenian language.

In the long term, the success of Slovenian language instruction in Croatia will depend on the coordinated efforts of all stakeholders, stable institutional support, and the active involvement of the community, while the broader use of the language in everyday life also remains crucial.