Slovenian Language Exams for Foreign Students

All foreign applicants enrolling at the University of Maribor are hereby informed that the Slovenian language exam will be at the basic (A2)/intermediate (B1) level, advanced (B2) level, or high (C2) level.

CIRIL KOLAR
ciril.kolar@um.si

Literature

• Ivana Petric Lasnik, Nataša Pirih Svetina, Andreja Ponikvar, 2019: Let’s move on: a textbook for advanced learners in Slovenian as a second or foreign language courses. Ljubljana: Scientific Publishing House of the Faculty of Arts.
• Andreja Markovič, Mojca Stritar, Tanja Jerman, Staša Pisek, 2015: Slovenska beseda v živo 1b: textbook and workbook for beginners in Slovenian as a second/foreign language. Ljubljana: Scientific Publishing House of the Faculty of Arts.
• Andreja Markovič, Vesna Halužan, Mateja Pezdirc Bartol, Danuša Škapin, Gita Vuga, 2013: I Have No Problems with Slovenian: Textbook for Short Courses in Slovenian: Intermediate Level. Ljubljana: Scientific Publishing House of the Faculty of Arts.
• Polona Liberšar, Ivana Petric Lasnik, Nataša Pirih Svetina, Andreja Ponikvar, 2020: Onward in Slovenian: Textbook for Advanced Learners in Slovenian as a Second or Foreign Language Courses. Ljubljana: Scientific Publishing House of the Faculty of Arts.
• Andreja Markovič, Danuša Škapin, Mihaela Knez, Nina Šoba, 2010: Slovenian Words Alive 2: Textbook and Workbook for Advanced Slovenian as a Second/Foreign Language Courses. Ljubljana: Scientific Publishing House of the Faculty of Arts.
• Damjana Kern, Mojca Stritar, Damjan Huber, Tjaša Alič, Tanja Jerman, 2020: The Road to the Slovenian Language Exam: Textbook for Preparing for the Intermediate and Advanced Level Slovenian Language Exam. Ljubljana: Scientific Publishing House of the Faculty of Arts.
• Nataša Pirih Svetina, Ina Ferbežar, 2008: Intermediate Level Slovenian Language Exam: Test Collection. Ljubljana: Faculty of Arts, Department of Slovenian Studies, Center for Slovenian as a Second/Foreign Language, Examination Center.

Exam structure

Written part: understanding spoken and written texts, knowledge of grammatical structures, writing a short practical text (120 minutes).
Oral part: conversation on a general topic, presentation (of oneself), description of a picture (10 minutes).

Knowledge at level A2 (CEFR 2011: 46)

The candidate understands sentences and frequently used expressions related to the most basic areas of communication (e.g., basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). They can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. They can describe in simple terms aspects of themselves and their immediate environment and meet their immediate needs.

Knowledge at level B1 (CEFR 2011: 46)

The candidate can understand the main points of clear standard speech on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. They can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. They can produce simple connected text on topics that are familiar or of personal interest. They can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes, and ambitions, and briefly give reasons and explanations for their opinions and plans.

Assessment

To receive a positive assessment, candidates must achieve at least 60% of the points for level A2 or 85% of the points for level B1 in each part. The final assessment of the exam is descriptive: passed or failed.

Taking the Slovenian language exam at the higher (B2) level

Literature

• Andreja Markovič, Danuša Škapin, Mihaela Knez, Nina Šoba, 2010: Slovenska beseda v živo 2: textbook and workbook for the advanced course in Slovenian as a second/foreign language. Ljubljana: Scientific Publishing House of the Faculty of Arts.
• Andreja Markovič, Mihaela Knez, Nina Šoba, Mojca Stritar, 2018: Slovenska beseda v živo 3a: textbook and workbook for an advanced course in Slovenian as a second/foreign language. Ljubljana: Scientific Publishing House of the Faculty of Arts.
• Andreja Markovič, Mihaela Knez, Nina Šoba, Mojca Stritar, 2011: Slovenian Language Live 3b: Textbook and Workbook for Advanced Slovenian as a Second/Foreign Language Course. Ljubljana: Scientific Publishing House of the Faculty of Arts.
• Ina Ferbežar, Nataša Domadenik, 2005: Jezikovod: textbook for advanced learners in Slovenian as a second/foreign language courses. Ljubljana: Scientific Publishing House of the Faculty of Arts.
• Damjana Kern, Mojca Stritar, Damjan Huber, Tjaša Alič, Tanja Jerman, 2020: The Road to the Slovenian Language Exam: A Textbook for Preparing for the Intermediate and Advanced Level Slovenian Language Exam. Ljubljana: Scientific Publishing House of the Faculty of Arts.
• Ina Ferbežar, Nataša Pirih Svetina, 2008: Advanced Slovenian Language Exam: Test Collection. Ljubljana: Faculty of Arts, Department of Slovenian Studies, Center for Slovenian as a Second/Foreign Language, Examination Center.

Exam structure

Written part: comprehension of spoken and written texts, knowledge of grammatical structures, independent composition of a longer text (120 minutes).
Oral part: conversation and presentation of a self-selected topic (15 minutes).

Knowledge at level B2 (CEFR 2011: 46)

The candidate understands the main ideas in complex texts on both concrete and abstract topics, including discussions in their field of expertise. They speak fluently and spontaneously in interpersonal communication. They can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of topics and explain their position on a current issue, explaining the advantages and disadvantages of various options.

Assessment

To receive a positive assessment, candidates must achieve at least 60% of the points in each part. The final assessment of the exam is descriptive: passed or failed.

Taking the Slovenian language exam at level C2

Literature

• Andreja Markovič, Mihaela Knez, Nina Šoba, Mojca Stritar, 2011: Slovenska beseda v živo 3b: textbook and workbook for advanced courses in Slovenian as a second/foreign language. Ljubljana: Scientific Publishing House of the Faculty of Arts.
• Ina Ferbežar, Nataša Domadenik, 2005: Jezikovod: textbook for advanced learners in Slovenian as a second/foreign language courses. Ljubljana: Scientific Publishing House of the Faculty of Arts.
• Damjana Kern, Mojca Stritar, Damjan Huber, Tjaša Alič, Tanja Jerman, 2020: The Road to the Slovenian Language Exam: A Textbook for Preparing for the Intermediate and Advanced Level Slovenian Language Exam. Ljubljana: Scientific Publishing House of the Faculty of Arts.
• Ina Ferbežar, Nataša Pirih Svetina, 2008: Advanced Slovenian Language Exam: Test Collection. Ljubljana: Faculty of Arts, Department of Slovenian Studies, Center for Slovenian as a Second/Foreign Language, Examination Center.

Exam structure

Written part: understanding spoken and written texts, knowledge of grammatical structures, independent writing of a longer text (120 minutes).
Oral part: conversation and presentation of a selected topic from the field (20 minutes).

Knowledge at level C2 (CEFR 2011: 46)

The candidate can easily understand virtually everything they hear or read. They can summarize information from various spoken and written sources, linking arguments and narratives into a coherent form. They express themselves spontaneously, very fluently, and accurately, and can distinguish between subtle shades of meaning even in complex situations.

Assessment

To receive a positive assessment, candidates must achieve at least 60% for level C2 in each section. The final assessment of the exam is descriptive: passed or failed.

Certificates

Candidates receive a certificate of completion of the Slovenian language exam at level C2.

Note:

The assessment of candidates’ knowledge is generally carried out for the purposes of the University of Maribor.

The assessment of candidates’ knowledge is generally carried out for the purposes of the University of Maribor

Knowledge of Slovenian at level B2

1ST LEVEL

Knowledge of level B2 before the start of the selection process 
Candidates enrolling in the 1st level university study program Slovenian Language and Literature:
Slovenian Language and Literature

• Slovenian Language and Literature (single-subject track)
• Slovenian Language and Literature (double-subject track)

must demonstrate knowledge of the Slovenian language at level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) with appropriate evidence before the start of the selection process.

B2 level knowledge before enrollment in the second year

Candidates enrolling in other university study programs/majors of the 1st cycle:
English Language and Literature (double major program)
Philosophy (double major program)
Geography (double major program)
German Studies

• German Studies (single major)
• German Studies (double major)

Hungarian Language and Literature

• Hungarian Language and Literature (double major)
• Hungarian Studies (double major)

Pedagogy (double major program)
Translation Studies

• English (double major)
• German (double major)
• Hungarian (double major)

Sociology

• Sociology and Interdisciplinary Social Sciences (single-subject program)
• Sociology (double-subject program)

Art History (double-subject program)
History

• History (single-subject program)
• History (double-subject program)

must demonstrate knowledge of the Slovenian language at level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) with appropriate evidence before enrolling in the second year.

Appropriate proof of fulfillment of this requirement includes:
a) a certificate of completion of a Slovenian language exam at level B2 or an equivalent certificate,
b) completion of the courses Slovenian Language for Foreigners 1 and Slovenian Language for Foreigners 2 at the Faculty of Arts, University of Maribor,
c) a certificate of completion of primary school in the Republic of Slovenia or a foreign primary school with Slovenian as the language of instruction,
d) a high school diploma or a certificate of completion of the final year of a secondary vocational education program, which shows that the subject Slovenian has been completed,
e) a certificate of completed bilingual (in Slovenian and a foreign language) secondary education or of completed foreign secondary education with Slovenian as the language of instruction,
f) a diploma of education obtained at a higher education institution in the Republic of Slovenia in a study program and a certificate (statement) that the candidate has completed the program in Slovenian.

2nd LEVEL

B2 level knowledge upon enrollment:

All candidates enrolling in other second-cycle study programs
English

• Teaching English (double major in education)
• English (double major in non-education)

Philosophy

• Philosophy (double major in education)
• Philosophy (double major in non-education)

Geography

• Geography (double major in education)
• Geography (double major, non-teaching)

Hungarian Language and Literature

• Hungarian Language and Literature (double major, teaching)
• Hungarian Studies (double major, non-teaching)

Intercultural German Studies

• Intercultural German Studies (single-subject non-teaching track)
• Intercultural German Studies (double-subject non-teaching track)
• German as a Foreign Language (single-subject teaching track)
• German as a Foreign Language (double-subject teaching track)

Pedagogy

• Pedagogy (single-subject teaching program)
• Pedagogy (double-subject teaching program)

Translation and Interpreting

• Translation – English and Translation – German (single-subject non-teaching program)
• Translation – English and Translation – Hungarian (single-subject non-pedagogical track)
• Translation – German and Translation – Hungarian (single-subject non-pedagogical track)
• Translation – English and Translation – Croatian (single-subject non-pedagogical track)
• Translation – German and Translation – Croatian (single-subject non-teaching track)
• Translation – Hungarian and Translation – Croatian (single-subject non-teaching track)
• Interpreting – English and Interpreting – German (single-subject non-teaching track)
• Interpreting – English and Interpreting – Hungarian (single-subject non-teaching track)
• Interpreting – German and Interpreting – Hungarian (single-subject non-teaching track)
• Interpreting – English and Interpreting – Croatian (single-subject non-teaching track)
• Interpreting – German and Interpreting – Croatian (single-subject non-teaching track)
• Interpreting – Hungarian and Interpreting – Croatian (single-subject non-teaching track)
• Translation – English and Interpreting – English (single-subject non-teaching track)
• Translation – German and Interpreting – German (single-subject non-teaching track)
• Translation – Hungarian and Interpreting – Hungarian (single-subject non-teaching program)
• Translation – Croatian and Interpreting – Croatian (single-subject non-teaching program)

Psychology (single-subject non-teaching program)

Sociology

• Sociology (single-subject non-teaching track)
• Sociology (double-subject teaching track)

Art History (double-subject non-teaching program)
History

• History (single-subject non-teaching program)
• History (double-subject non-teaching program)
• History (double major teaching program)

With the exception of the Psychology study program, students must demonstrate knowledge of the Slovenian language at level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) with appropriate evidence before enrolling in the second year.

Appropriate proof of fulfillment of this requirement includes:

1. a certificate of completion of a Slovenian language exam at level B2 or an equivalent certificate,
2. completion of the courses Slovenian Language for Foreigners 1 or Slovenian as a Second and Foreign Language 1 and Slovenian Language for Foreigners 2 or Slovenian as a Second and Foreign Language at the Faculty of Arts, University of Maribor,
3. certificate of completion of primary school in the Republic of Slovenia or completion of a foreign primary school with Slovenian as the language of instruction,
4. high school diploma or certificate of completion of the final year of a secondary vocational education program, which shows that the subject Slovenian Language has been completed,
5. certificate of completed bilingual (in Slovenian and a foreign language) secondary education or completed foreign secondary education with Slovenian as the language of instruction,
6. a diploma of completed higher education at a higher education institution in the Republic of Slovenia in a study program, and a certificate (statement) that the candidate has completed the program in Slovenian.

Knowledge of the Slovenian language at level C2

Candidates enrolling in the single-subject first-cycle study program in Psychology and the second-cycle study program in Psychology must demonstrate knowledge of the Slovenian language at level C2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) with appropriate evidence before the start of the selection process, by the deadline set by the faculty.
This enrolment requirement is considered to be fulfilled by passing the Slovenian language subject in the general matriculation examination or in the final year of secondary school, or by presenting a certificate of passing the Slovenian language exam at level C2 or another equivalent document.