CROWN - Croatian World Network - http://www.croatia.org/crown
University School of Croatian Language and Culture
http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/10156/1/University-School-of-Croatian-Language-and-Culture.html
By Lidija Cvikić
Published on 08/16/2011
 
The University School of Croatian Language and Culture offers an intensive course of the Croatian language. The School is offered to persons of Croatian background, e.g. heritage Croatian speakers, as well as to any student who want to learn (more) about the Croatian language and culture. In addition to the academic programme, students visit museums, galleries, theatre productions, see the sights of Zagreb, take a study trips, etc. The cultural programme is organised by the Croatian Heritage Foundation and it is relevant to lessons and classwork.

Offers an intensive course of the Croatian language

 
UNIVERSITY OF ZAGREB
 
The University of Zagreb was established on September 23, 1669 by Leopold I, the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, who declared that the status of University, with all accompanying privileges, be granted to the Jesuit Academy in  the free and royal city of Zagreb. Today the University of Zagreb includes 29 faculties, three art academies and the University Centre for Croatian Studies.
The University School of Croatian Language and Culture is offered to persons of Croatian background, as well as to any students who want to learn (more) about the Croatian language and culture. In addition to the academic program, students visit museums, galleries, theater productions, concerts, see the sights of Zagreb, they meet famous artists and public personalities, take study trips, etc. The cultural program is organised by the Croatian Heritage Foundation and it is relevant to lessons and classwork.

ACADEMIC PROGRAM

The academic program comprises of 110 hours. This includes 95 hours of obligatory classes and 15 hours of facultative classes (each session lasts 45 min.). Classes are scheduled Mondays to Fridays, five hours per day. Language classes include grammar lessons and language excercises, i.e. Croatian grammar is learned and practised, vocabulary expanded, communicative skills developed and all other language skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) improved.
Additional classes (1-2 hours per day) will be held after the fifth class. Their content is adapted to the needs and interest of attendees (particular Croatian language study areas are targeted), with attendees opting for the additional classes based on their personal desire or a teacher's recommendation.
The program is held in the the student campus “Cvjetno naselje”.
 
5 academic hours a day/each session 45 min.
25 academic hours a week (M-F) /4 weeks
110 academic hours/exams included
additional lectures possible

Please be aware that our School’s study trips to Croatian Hinterland and the National Park Plitvice Lakes also include Croatian language and culture teaching and learning. As such they make a part of the regular teaching units.
 
 

Levels
At the University School of Croatian Language and Culture the level of proficiency is divided into three levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced. Each level is further divided into three levels (beginner: P1, P2, P3; intermediate: S1, S2, S3; and advanced: N1, N2, N3). These nine levels have sublevels, which provide for differentiation based on the type of language proficiency (for example: P1.1, P1.2). The advantage of this kind of elaborated gradation is the visibility of progress in the mastery of the Croatian language, and the possibility of linking to common systems (including the Council of Europe's European reference framework, 2001). The use of the European language map (with levels A1 - C2) is recommended for students. Classes are adapted to the proficiency and interest of the attendees so that the approach to teaching for true beginners differs from the approach to attendees with linguistic interests (such as students of Slavic language studies).
Since classes are held in small groups (maximum of 12 students per group), the number of the groups depends of the total number of students and their knowledge of Croatian.
Note: Depending on the number of participants and their knowledge, it is possible to organise classes in more groups of the same sublevel. Hence, the number of groups does not necessarily have to be equal to the number of levels. 
 
Classification of students
After submitting an application and paying a deposit for the University School, attendees will receive, May 20, 2011, a questionnaire, a short Croatian language entry exam and an essay topic by e-mail. Completed questionnaires and tests are to be returned at the latest by 10 June 2011.
An attendee's level of proficiency will be determined on the basis of the entry examination, the short essay and an interview with teachers. The interview will be held during the first meeting on Saturday, 25 June 2011, in the afternoon.
 
Students' obligations
The attendees are expected to carry out all classroom obligations (regular attendance of classes, completion of homework, completing project assignments) and the procurement of books and reference books based on the recommendation of the teacher.
A final Croatian language exam is written at the end of the academic program. The final exam consists of two parts: a written and an oral section. The written section is made up of communication questions, grammar and an essay on an assigned topic, while the oral section has a prepared speech and an interview with an examination commission. The written exam shall be held on Thursday, 21 July, and the oral exam on Friday, 22 July 2011. Attendees who pass the exam will receive a diploma from the University School of Croatian Language and Culture, a report card with grades and confirmation of 8 ECTS points. Both documents are bilingual, in Croatian and English. The diplomas will be awarded on the evening of Friday, 22 July 2011.
Attendees who do not pass both parts of the Croatian language examination will receive only a confirmation of participation.
 
   
 

CULTURAL PROGRAM  
All academic lectures and study visits on Croatian culture & history make a part of the program organised by the Croatian Heritage Foundation.

The program includes:

1. Croatian Culture & History in the European & Global Context

2. Guided study visits to museums, art galleries, cultural institutions, concerts, theatre & theatre performances and meetings with outstanding Croatian artists

3. Study trips
to Croatian Hinterland and Plitvice Lakes     (both cover teaching & learning of Croatian language and culture - obligatory for all students)
 
 
Participants who want to receive a grade on Croatian culture, sit for the exam. Successful students have their grades included in the certificate of the University of Zagreb.
Attendees receive 1 ECTS point for the exam on Croatian culture.

EXPENSES & ACCOMODATION
 
1. Academic Fees720 €

2. HMI/CHF Culture Program250 €

 
Included: registration, orientation, study trips to HRVATSKO ZAGORJE (lunches included) & PLITVICE LAKES (lunches not included), tickets & academic guidance (museums, galleries, theatre performances, concerts, ethno-show), academic lectures/field trips/Croatian Culture and History in European and Global Context, introduction to various cultural and scientific institutions, farewell dinner 
3. Accommodation at the student campus "Cvjetno naselje"
 

Rooms with 2 single beds – 1460 kn for person
 
Every room includes a bathroom which is shared with another room, that is, every bathroom is for 4 people. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is available in the student cafeteria within the student campus "Cvjetno naselje" (not included in accommodation). Mensa is open until 15 July, but there are some other options near the dorm.
The student campus “Cvjetno naselje” is also where lectures/classes will be held. The student campus is seven tram stops from the center of town (the main square).
 
Attention: The total cost of your stay at the campus should be covered in cash upon arrival. Payment should be made in Croatian currency (kuna).

REGISTRATION
 
1. The application and  250 deposit should be received at the Croatian Heritage Foundation no later than June 1,  2011.
 
a) Application should be sent directly to the following address: Hrvatska matica iseljenika/Croatian Heritage Foundation, Trg S. Radića 3, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia, Fax: ++ 385 1 61 11 522, E-mail: lada@matis.hr
 
b) Please forward your 250 deposit (covering registration and the cultural study program) to the following bank:

1.) PAYMENTS FROM ABROAD
 
Privredna banka Zagreb
za Hrvatsku maticu iseljenika
(Sveučilišna škola)
Račkoga 6, 10 000 Zagreb, Hrvatska
Swift Code: PBZGHR2X
IBAN: HR0623400091510296717

2.) PAYMENTS FROM THE CROATIA*
 
Hrvatska poštanska banka
za Hrvatsku maticu iseljenika
(Sveučilišna škola)
Account number:
2390001 – 1100021305
Poziv na broj: 00120
 
* in Croatian currency (kuna) using the exchange rate valid on the day of payment

2. Academic Fees (720 €) should be covered by cheque addressed to the University of Zagreb and sent directly to the University of Zagreb, Trg m. Tita 14, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. This bank-cheque is to be received by the University of Zagreb no later than two weeks before your coming to Zagreb. If it is more convenient, you can send it via bank. In that case, your payment should be forwarded to the following bank:
 
Bank name: Privredna banka Zagreb d.d., Račkoga 6,
HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Account holder: University of Zagreb
SWIFT: PBZGHR2X
IBAN: HR3423400091510297183

3. Accommodation at the student campus
Payment in full is to be paid immediately upon arrival at the student campus in cash in Croatian currency (kuna) using the exchange rate valid on the day of payment.

Attention 1:
Students 17 years age and older can apply. If less than 20 students register, organisers reserve the right to cancellation of the program in which case the total payment  is refunded.
 
Attention 2:
The deposit is partially refunded if student cancels participation in the school before June 10, 2011.
   
Important dates
 
All applications & deposits are to be received by the CHF (HMI) no later than June 1, 2011.
Submission deadline for the questionnaire and completed Croatian language entry exam no later than June 10, 2011.
Other important dates:
First meeting and interview with teachers - June 25, 2011.
Official opening of the school at University of Zagreb - June 27, 2011
Croatian Culture & History exam – will be determined at the beginning of the school
Final written exam (Croatian language) - July 21, 2011.
Final oral exam (Croatian language) + distribution of diplomas - July 22, 2011.

For further information, please contact:

HRVATSKA MATICA ISELJENIKA
CROATIAN HERITAGE FOUNDATION

Dept. of Education, Science and Sport
E-mail: lada@matis.hr

Trg S. Radića 3
10000 Zagreb
CROATIA
tel.:  (+385 1) 611-5116
fax.: (+385 1) 611-1522
www.matis.hr

or

THE UNIVERSITY OF ZAGREB
The University School of Croatian Language and Culture
E-mail: croatianlang@unizg.hr

Sources www.matis.hr , international.unizg.hr


 
September 12, 2011 – December 4, 2011
CROATIAN INTERNET COURSE – HiT 1
HiT-1

e-learning course of Croatian as a second and foreign language

September 12, 2011 – December 4, 2011 
 
 
 

Organiser 
The University of Zagreb, the Croatian Heritage Foundation & the University Computing Centre offer an e-learning course of the Croatian language at the beginner level. The course is aimed at people with no previous knowledge of Croatian, or with very basic knowledge of the language.
 
Program
The proposed course is a form of distance learning, more precisely, it is e-learning through a learning management system (LMS) and also through 24 teaching hours with experienced language instructors (native speakers) over Skype or Webinar. The course is not offered in a form of software that can be bought and used after the course finishes, but it is in a form of interactive teaching materials accessible on the LMS during the course duration.
 
The course is based on the LMS Moodle, therefore it is required that the course participants have basic computer skills.
The e-learning course comprises of 7 units which are expected to be finished in 12 weeks. The participants have two weeks to complete one main unit (the main units are Units 2-6), while Unit 1 and Unit 7 have to be completed in one week. Unit 1 is the introductory unit, while Unit 7 consists of revision exercises and of a final exam. Each unit ends with a short test that shows the learner’s progress. The tests can be taken only at a time scheduled in advance.
 
Participation
In order to finish the course successfully, it is necessary that the learners regularly spend time reading, writing and practicing the language by doing the activities and assignments using the program. The learners’ activity at the e-course is the equivalent of student class attendance in a regular classroom, i.e. it is an important part of the study process. Therefore, the participants who show no activity inside a unit within two weeks will be considered dropouts.
 
Although the learning process inside each unit within a two week period is independent and individual, i.e. the participants study at their own pace; it is required that the participants communicate with the instructor twice a week at a scheduled time (real-time communication online). If the participants are not able to participate at a scheduled on-line session, they need to inform the instructor about it at least one day in advance. Canceled classes cannot be taken afterwards.
 
Structure of a single unit
Each unit comprises of texts that are aimed to develop communicative competence with a focus on basic grammatical structures. All important explanations are offered in Croatian, English and Spanish language.
 
Each unit consists of:
• written and spoken version of a text
• vocabulary and grammar exercises
• pronunciation activities
• self-assessment activities
• interactive language activities
• homework assignments
• dictionary
• cultural information
• vocabulary and grammar test after each unit 
 
 
 

Final exam
The final exam consists of two parts: a written and an oral section. The written section consists of communication questions, grammar and a short composition on a familiar topic. The oral section of the exam comprises of a prepared speech and an interview with the examination committee. The oral part of the exam will be taken by Skype or Webinar at a scheduled time.
Participants who pass the final exam will receive a Certificate of attendance and a Grade report from the University of Zagreb. Participants who fail any part of the final exam will receive only a confirmation of their course participation.

Technical requirements
- basic IT skills
- computer with speakers/headphones, microphone (required)
- web-camera
- Internet connection (broadband recommended)
- Current version of Internet ExplorerŽ or Mozilla
 
Expenses
- Academic fee: 500 €
 
- Expenses that participants make by using the Internet are not part of the academic fee and should be covered by the participant
 
Application: by September 5, 2011
 
Academic fee should be payed by September 10, 2011
 
Registration
The participant is officially registered for the course when the University of Zagreb receives the academic fee. After the registration, the participant will receive the login password for the course by e-mail. One week after the final exam, the login password will not be valid any more.
Note: In the case of quitting the course at any time, the registration fee will not be refunded.
 
NEW!!!
Starting in August 2011 check out some sample learning activities
at the web site Promotivni HiT-1
(log in inforrmation: use “guest“ for both name and password)
 

University of  Zagreb
Croatian e-learning course
(Marija Bošnjak / Lidija Cvikić)
e-mail: ecroatian@gmail.com 

Croatian Heritage Foundation
Dept. of Education, Science and Sport
(Lada Kanajet Šimić)
e-mail: lada@matis.hr    
  Source www.matis.hr


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