Problem of language use in Slovene higher education
- Study at Slovene universities must be in Slovene, but because of internationalization and study exchanges there is also a need for English courses and programs.
- In political and other development documents there's a plan to increase the share of content performed in English (most often about a quarter of all the content is mentioned). But a too large share of English contents may have harmful consequences for the Slovene language.
- The criteria that regulate when, as an exception, using a foreign language as teaching language is possible, are very vague. Therefore answers to questions such as how large can "parts of courses" allowed in a foreign language be, what is meant by "a large number of foreign students" and which objects are "primarily intended for foreign students" are left to the discretion of the respective universities, faculties and departments.
- On the other hand universities have difficulties to carry out programs in English. Courses in English language are allowed by law only if there's also a parallel course in Slovene. Since there are no financial means for the parallel versions, faculties are forced to search for other solutions and make compromises ...
Deputy dean of a Slovene faculty
- Professors who work with foreign students in a foreign language usually do it individually and out of their good will.
