Slovenian Language Examination: Basic Level

The Basic Level Exam of the Slovene Language is intended for adults whose first language is not Slovene, but who need an official Certificate of Slovene as a Second/Foreign Language for private or official purposes (e.g. for obtaining Slovene citizenship).

Definition of the level

The basic level of Slovene is the first of the three levels specified by the Standards of knowledge in the educational programme Slovene for Foreign Learners.

By passing the Basic Level Exam, the candidate proves that he or she has mastered the basics of the Slovene language and is able to:

• communicate in predictable situations on every-day topics,
• understand essential information in short, less demanding authentic written and spoken discourse,
• give specific instructions; write a short text,
• speak and write in a simple manner, but accurately and correctly, without impeding communication.

Parts of the exam

The Basic Level Exam of the Slovene language has four parts of equal weight: three parts are written, one is oral. Each of the parts contributes one quarter of the total of the possible marks to the final grade.

The Written Parts

Listening comprehension: the candidate listens to different pieces of spoken discourse and answers open or multiple choice questions (30 minutes).

Reading comprehension: the candidate reads three or four brief, authentic texts and answers questions related to their content, vocabulary etc. (30-40 minutes).

Writing (guided writing tasks): the candidate completes sentences and writes two short every-day texts, e.g. a postcard, a letter of application etc. (45 minutes).

The Oral Part

The speaking test consists of:

• a general conversation
• a conversation on a specific topic (with a picture)
• role play

The candidate selects one of two pictures and one of two roles and talks about specific topics with the interviewer and two assessors (15-20 minutes).

Assessment

All four parts are assessed according to the standards specified by the Exam Catalogue of the programme Slovene for Foreign Learners. The final grade is descriptive: excellent, very good, good, satisfactory, fail.

Who designs and organises the exams?

The examinations in Slovene at all three levels are designed and organised at the Examination Centre of the Centre for Slovene as a Foreign/Second Language at the Faculty of Arts in Ljubljana. The Basic Level Exam can also be taken at 11 other authorised institutions in Slovenia.