INFORMATION
FOR FOREIGNERS

Slovenian as a Second and Foreign Language

The free “Slovenian as a Second and Foreign Language” exams at the breakthrough, basic, intermediate and advanced levels are based on the education programme for adults with the same name, namely Slovenian as a Second and Foreign Language. All four levels are in line with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Source: Education programme Slovenian as a Second and Foreign Language, p. 12

Non-EU citizens (third-country nationals) are eligible to take their one-off free Slovenian language proficiency exam, designated as “Slovenian as a Second and Foreign Language”, at the breakthrough, basic, intermediate and advanced levels if they:

• reside in the Republic of Slovenia on the basis of a permanent residence permit;
• reside in the Republic of Slovenia on the basis of a temporary residence permit issued with the validity of at least one year;
• are family members of Slovenian citizens or EU citizens residing in the Republic of Slovenia on the basis of a residence permit for a family member, irrespective of the length of residence or the validity of the permit;
• reside in the Republic of Slovenia on the basis of a temporary protection granted under the Act regulating temporary protection of displaced persons.

Everyone eligible to participate in the single (ZIP) programme is also eligible to take the Slovenian language proficiency exam.

It should be noted that EU-citizens are not eligible for this one-off free exam.

The “Slovenian as a Second and Foreign Language” exam is available at four levels: breakthrough, basic, intermediate and advanced. The exam may be taken:

• independently, without prior participation in a single (ZIP) programme.
• If an individual participated in a single (ZIP) programme, there are two options, namely:
  •  to take the exam immediately upon completion of the single (ZIP) programme; or
  •  to take the exam within one year of completing the single (ZIP) programme.

• In order to take the “Slovenian as a Second and Foreign Language” exam at the breakthrough, basic, intermediate and advanced level, it is necessary to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility for a free first Slovenian language proficiency exam from the administrative unit where the applicant is registered as a resident. The certificate is issued by the administrative unit.
• Applicants who wish to participate in the single (ZIP) programme prior to taking the examination may apply for a Certificate of Eligibility to participate in the Slovenian language learning programme and to take their first Slovenian language exam free of charge. Successfully obtaining this certificate qualifies applicants for both the single (ZIP) programme and the language exam.

The fee for applying to the administrative unit and having the certificate issued is EUR 22.60. Subsequently, applicants are required to present their acquired certificate to the nearest authorised provider of the “Slovenian as a Second and Foreign Language” exam at the breakthrough, basic, intermediate and advanced levels.

The first “Slovenian as a Second and Foreign Language” exam at the breakthrough, basic, intermediate and advanced level is free of charge for the participants, with the associated costs covered by the Government Office for the Support and Integration of Migrants and the European Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (the “AMIF”). Nevertheless, it should be noted that participants are responsible for covering their own travel expenses and the costs of learning materials.

Slovenian language test at the survival level

Content: The survival-level Slovenian language test is oral and consists of oral communication and guided conversation.

It tests communication in the most basic, simple, repetitive and predictable everyday situations related to people’s concrete daily needs (I – here – and – now). This means understanding very brief and simple information relating to personal affairs in a specific situation and responding to this information in a simple way, using non-verbal means and with the help of a supportive conversation partner.

The test’s language tasks to be completed by the programme participants include:

• exchanging basic personal information,
• a brief informal discussion on realistic, predictable topics relevant to the individual’s specific experience,
• obtaining goods and services in common everyday situations (guided and assisted by the conversation partner), understanding simple statements in conversation about personal matters in everyday, repetitive situations.

Non-EU (third country) nationals who have been issued a temporary residence permit for the purpose of family reunification are entitled to take their first survival-level Slovenian language test free of charge.

EU-citizens are not entitled to this one-time free test.

You can take the survival-level Slovenian language test:

• independently, i.e. without prior participation in an informal programme.
• if you have participated in an informal programme, in which case you have two options, namely:
  • you can take the test immediately after completing the informal programme,
  • you can take the test within one year of completing the informal programme.

• If you only want to take the survival-level Slovenian language test, you must obtain a Certificate for the first Slovenian language test free of charge from the administrative unit  where you have your registered place of residence  https://www.gov.si/drzavni-organi/upravne-enote/.

You must pay EUR 22.60 to apply to the administrative unit for the certificate to be issued. The certificate must then be submitted to the authorised provider of survival-level Slovenian language tests, the language institute Didaktum,  Jezikovni tečaji za posameznike, podjetja… | Jezikovni Inštitut Didaktum.

To register for the test, please use the online form: Tečaji slovenskega jezika na preživetveni ravni in preizkusi znanja (Slovenian language courses and tests at a survival level) (didaktum.si). For information on the dates and other details, please contact Didaktum on the phone number 041 705 969 or by e-mail info@didatkum.si.

• If you would like to participate in the informal programme before taking the test, you can apply for a certificate of eligibility to participate in the Slovenian language programme and to take the first Slovenian language test free of charge. In this way, you will receive a certificate for both, the informal programme and the test.

The survival-level Slovenian tests are free of charge, with the costs covered by the Office of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia for the Support and Integration of Migrants and the European Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF). Participants are responsible for their own travel costs.