Introductory remarks
The University of Applied Sciences Velika Gorica has created a language course in Croatian for foreigners. The reason for its introduction is to enable foreign students, foreign workers and foreign nationals who reside in the Republic of Croatia for personal reasons to easily and successfully master the basics of the Croatian language, learn to communicate in it, and get to know Croatian culture.
Course objectives
The purpose of this course is to enable participants to acquire a basic level of communication competence in the Croatian language in all relevant language skills, which are the following: listening, reading, writing and speaking.
The objective of the entire educational programme: the participants will be able to successfully communicate in Croatian in everyday private and professional situations. At the same time, the course will enable the participants to develop intercultural competence, learn about and accept Croatian culture and foster awareness of their own culture within it. This will help them to better integrate into their study and work environment, as well as the Croatian society in general.
Course contents
The course will cover both linguistic and cultural aspects of language learning.The participants will learn the Croatian language through language exercises and pronunciation exercises. They will also learn the basics of the Croatian culture through various topics from history, geography, art, popular culture, and sports. The course consists of two levels divided into four modules.
Module 1 and module 2 will enable the participants with little or no knowledge of Croatian language to master the basics of the Croatian language and culture at the basic, preparatory level. This means that, after completing the first two modules, the participant will be able to use basic Croatian expressions and phrases for everyday spoken or written communication and social interactions.
Module 3 and module 4 will enable the participants who have achieved the A1 Croatian language level to maintain the basic, simple and direct communication and exchange of information on familiar and common topics, with the description of the broader personality aspects and the wider use of content to fulfill their immediate needs.
Upon completion of all four modules, the participants will be proficient in the Croatian language at the A2 level (280 teaching hours). The completion of the first two modules guarantees the Croatian language proficiency at the A1 level (140 teaching hours). This type of course organization is in alignment with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Learning outcomes, teaching methods and course contents have been likewise aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
After completing the course, the participants will be able to:
- recognize and identify familiar words and basic phrases related to themselves, their family and immediate environment (A1)
- understand the basic meaning of short, clear and simple messages and public announcements (A2)
- recognize names, words and very simple sentences when reading short texts in Croatian (A1)
- read very short and simple texts and find specific, predictable information in them (A2)
- maintain a simple conversation (if the interlocutor is willing to repeat, slow down or reformulate what has been said), ask questions on familiar topics and answer simple questions (A1)
- communicate in typical social situations that require a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar topics (A2)
- use simple phrases and sentences to describe themselves and their loved ones (A1)
- use a series of phrases and sentences to describe their family members and other people, living conditions, education and work in simple terms (A2)
- fill in forms using personal data (A1)
- write a short, simple message and a very simple personal letter (such as a thank-you letter) (A2)
Course duration
The course consists of four modules (A 1.1, A 1.2, A 2.1 and A 2.2), each of whom consists of 70 teaching hours.
PREPARATORY LEVEL (A1) – aimed at participants who have little or no knowledge of written and spoken Croatian (140 hours). The level consists of two modules:
- module A 1.1 – 70 hours
- module A 1.2 – 70 hours.
BASIC LEVEL (A 2) – aimed at participants who have the A1 level knowledge of Croatian (140 hours). The level consists of two modules:
- module A 2.1 – 70 hours
- module A 2.2 – 70 hours.
About programme
Target group of participants
All foreign nationals with temporary residence permits in the Republic of Croatia can enrol in the course, as well as the citizens of the Republic of Croatia for whom Croatian is a second language, i.e. for whom Croatian is not their mother tongue.
Enrolment requirements: completed secondary education and higher educational levels.
Requirements and methods for course completion: regular participation in all course activities (lectures and exercises). At the end of the course, the participants receive a certificate.
Course manager: Marjana Kuliš, prof.
Course lecturer: Josipa Mlinarić, mag. educ. philol. croat. and mag. educ. phil.
Enrolment price per participant: 247,20 € + VAT