Good afternoon and One beer please: how foreigners learn Slovene in Ljubljana

In Ljubljana, a summer language course aimed at helping international visitors learn basic Slovenian has become a popular attraction among tourists. Held weekly at a classroom on Krekov Square, the sessions have drawn participants from around the world since their revival last year after a multi-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The classes, organized by the Center for Slovenian as a Second and Foreign Language at the Faculty of Arts of the University of Ljubljana, focus on everyday communication skills such as greetings, introductions, asking questions, giving phone numbers, and ordering drinks in bars. The course has filled all twenty available seats each week, with attendees ranging from casual travelers to those considering longer stays or employment opportunities in Slovenia. The sessions began in July and continue through August, offering two-hour lessons every Wednesday. Participants include individuals from diverse backgrounds, including families learning together, travelers from Europe, Australia, and North America, and even some residents who have recently moved to Ljubljana. The curriculum emphasizes pronunciation challenges, particularly the unique sounds represented by the letters č, š, and ž, which many non-Slavic speakers find difficult. These phonetic elements often lead to moments of laughter and camaraderie among students, who are encouraged to make mistakes as part of the learning process. Urša Kosmač, an instructor and graduate of a master's program in Slavic studies, explains that the primary goal is to help students recognize and produce fundamental words and phrases. She notes that European visitors often find some familiarity with Slovenian due to its Slavic roots, while others from regions where Slovenian is entirely unfamiliar face more pronounced challenges. Those who have studied multiple languages tend to adapt more quickly to new sounds and vocabulary. Families attending together create especially warm dynamics, as parents and children work side by side to build their language skills from scratch. Participants share varied experiences and motivations for joining the class. A tourist from the Netherlands mentions using the time to relax after a day of sightseeing, while another traveler from Poland highlights the opportunity to learn local expressions during her stay. A young French visitor comments on the similarity she perceives between Slovenian and Czech, noting how listening to locals has helped her understand the language better. Another participant, a woman from Romania living in Ljubljana for several months, expresses hope to communicate more effectively with her partner’s mother in Slovenian. Despite the relatively short duration of the course, many students view it as the beginning of a deeper engagement with the language. Instructors provide information about free online resources and tools that can aid further study. Some participants bring along pocket dictionaries, such as the Pocket Slovenia guide, to supplement their learning. The informal yet structured environment fosters a sense of community among learners, encouraging them to practice and improve their skills in a supportive setting. The success of these language courses reflects growing interest among international visitors in connecting more deeply with Slovenian culture and language. As the sessions continue throughout the summer, they offer a practical and engaging introduction to one of Europe’s lesser-known linguistic traditions.