This one-semester course of Croatian language and culture takes place over 15 weeks. Each day students learn Croatian in 3 lessons (3×45 minutes), which totals 225 contact hours of language learning in one semester. In addition to learning the language, the students can choose to learn more about Croatian language and culture. More information about elective courses can be found here.
The Semester Course of the Croatian Language and Culture is accredited as Language Exercises in Croatian as a Second and Foreign Language. Successful completion of the programme earns students 14 ECTS credits.
Classes are organised at different levels in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
- Language exercises in Croatian as a second and foreign language 1 > levels A1 and A2
- Language exercises in Croatian as a second and foreign language 2 > level B1.1
- Language exercises in Croatian as a second and foreign language 3 > level B1.2
- Language exercises in Croatian as a second and foreign language 4 > level B2.1
- Language exercises in Croatian as a second and foreign language 5 > level B2.2
- Language exercises in Croatian as a second and foreign language 6 > level C1
Course schedule for the Semester Course of the Croatian Language and Culture in the winter and summer semesters can be found here. Information on course fees is available here.
Description of the programmes
Language exercises in Croatian as a second and foreign language 1
Students learn the basics of phonology, morphology (declension of nouns and personal pronouns, possessive pronouns and possessive adjectives, descriptive adjectives, numbers, present tense of the most common verb groups, modal verbs, past tense, future tense type I and reflexive verbs) and syntax of the standard Croatian language. Basic conversational skills are practised, as well as writing and reading of simple texts. Basic vocabulary is acquired. Selected topics: family relations, countries, nationalities, professions, animals, clothes, weather, basic information about the Croatian culture, etc.
Language exercises in Croatian as a second and foreign language 2
Students learn the basics of phonology, morphology and syntax of standard Croatian, and practise its use in different situations. The following general topics are discussed: personal identity, education, work, free time, health, sport, tourism, culture, media, environment and topics related to Croatian culture. Topic-related vocabulary is acquired, lexis and grammar from the previous level are revised and new grammatical structures are introduced, e.g. genitive case with numbers, complex numbers, cardinal and ordinal numbers, genitive case with dates, “i” declension, imperative, vocative case, declension of adjectives and pronouns, comparison of adjectives, verb aspect, first conditional, and future tense II.
Language exercises in Croatian as a second and foreign language 3
Students learn and practise the use of standard Croatian in different situations. They read, analyse and reproduce texts of suitable difficulty for their level, discussing both general topics (modern life, inventions and discoveries, generation gap, gender relations, humour, etc.) and cultural topics (Glagolitic script, famous Croatian artists and scientists and their works, Croatian journalism, etc.). Grammatical structures from previous levels are revised and new grammar is acquired (syntax of cases, verb aspect, interrogative and relative pronouns, word order in sentences, passive participle, etc.).
Language exercises in Croatian as a second and foreign language 4
Reading, analysing and reproducing texts of suitable difficulty for this level. Oral and written communication suitable for this level, including general topics (modern technology, human rights, global and Croatian current affairs, etc.) and cultural topics (Croatian scientists and inventors in the past and modern times, Croatian customs, holidays, protected nature, etc.). Grammatical structures from previous levels are revised and expanded. New grammar is acquired (diminutives and augmentatives, numerical nouns, indefinite pronouns, verbal adverbs, compound and complex sentences, direct and indirect speech).
Language exercises in Croatian as a second and foreign language 5
Students learn standard Croatian and practise its use in different situations. They read, analyse and reproduce texts of suitable difficulty for their level, including general topics (environmental protection, globalisation, changes on the labour market and other current global and Croatian topics) and cultural topics (Croatian identity, Croatian artists in the past and present, Croatian souvenirs and brands, Croatian cultural scene, etc.). Grammatical structures from previous levels are revised. New grammar is acquired (verb valency, collocations, concord, connectors, sound changes, etc.).
Language exercises in Croatian as a second and foreign language 6
Language units include the use of tenses, verb aspect and verbs in context, recognising aorist and imperfect, modal words and connectors, stylistically emphasised word order, selected chapters from syntax, word formation, lexicology and orthography. Cultural units include culture in the broadest sense (from subculture through popular and urban culture to monuments of cultural and natural heritage). Classes focus on literary texts from the 1970s to 1990s, and especially on modern texts created from the 1990s until today, as well as on professional and scholarly texts.
Additional information
Classes are organised in diverse groups of students speaking different languages and belonging to different nationalities and age groups. Groups are formed on the basis of the results of Croatian language placement tests.
Regular attendance and a passing grade in the final exam are required for a successful completion of the Semester Course of the Croatian Language and Culture.
Classes are held every working day at the same time at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Zagreb.
Up-to-date information about the Semester Course of the Croatian Language and Culture is available here.