Language resources

Slovenian Webclassroom is a continuing open learning web resources project designed for a blended learning environment in Slovenian language study and culture programs. It was initiated and developed by ISSV as a participating organisation in the Lotelinx Project funded and supported by the Education Department of Victoria in 1998 to 2001. The resources of the Webclassroom were incorporated into the curriculum of Slovenian language as a secondary school subject in Victoria, for the use of both the student and the instructor. New study units and resources collections are developed for open online education, from beginning to more advanced stages of the learning of Slovenian as a second or foreign language.

A series of myths and legends in webzine Sloveniana consists of thirty-six folktales in Slovenian and English with articles by leading expert Zmago Šmitek.

"Heritage Trail" is a resource for cultural studies launched in June 2009 as a downloadable E-book.

"Slovenia on the Web" (Slovenija preko spleta) is a continuing set of study topics since 2001 on contemporary Slovenia in: Country (Dežela), Society (Družba), Arts and Culture (Umetnost in kultura), Leisure and Recreation (Prosti čas in rekreacija).

Reading texts

Texts are for learners at the advanced level of Slovenian language. The reading material selected is in both Slovenian and English languages, to develop both linguistic skills and socio-cultural knowledge. The source materials are held in national digital library archives of primary sources and research papers collections, and related references are given for further reading on the specified field of study.

Country

In Central Europe, Slovenia is a meeting of the Julian Alps, the Pannonian plain and the Adriatic Sea. Its four geographic regions accounts for great biodiversity. Nearly half the country is the original Kras - Karst (its name is used for karst areas in the world), the source of research of speleology, with 8,000 caves registered.

The main centre for the multidisciplinary science of karstology is the Karst Research Institute. Slovenian words have been adopted internationally in the study of caves: dolina, polje, and ponor. Forests and parklands are 58% of all territory, protecting flora and fauna. The panoramic virtual guide to Slovenian landscape, Landmarks of Slovenia, by Boštjan Burger, is the focus of the topic, Images of Slovenia.

Society

Slovenia is one of the developed countries in Europe. It has established itself through planning, conditions for developing in economic, cultural and scientific fields in the European and global markets. Achievements in the arts and sciences, demonstrate a strong identity and presence in Central Europe, to the era of the Roman Empire.

A prominent museum of modern history is the Kobarid Museum of the Soča Front of World War One, twice award winner of the best museum of Europe. A fascinating era is European prehistory. Archaeologists have unearthed significant artifacts: the oldest wheel in the world was found in 2003 in the Ljubljana Marshes, site of an ancient lake settlement, dated 5,100 and 5,350 old.

Arts and Culture

Artistic creativity and culture are regarded as vital in the country's development, as shown by the sheer number of performances, theatres, exhibits, support of events, and festivals throughout the year. The Web is the exposition space for recent work and publications.

Contemporary Slovenian artists are on the European and world culture map in: literature, music, visual arts, architecture. Cultural heritage collections, critical editions and national archives are on the Web. Heritage is in landmarks, monuments, buildings, medieval towns, ethnographic collections, and outdoor museums.

Leisure and Recreation

There are many opportunities for recreation, sports and leisure pursuits. Walking and hiking are usual weekend activities for many Slovenes to relax in the quiet and beauty of nature. Paths, cycling routes, hiking trails, orienteering routes in hilly forests and parks, are well-marked.

Excursion trips in wilderness areas are taken to see protected flora and fauna and historic localities. Activities are: trekking, cycling, caving, horseriding, angling, game and photo-hunting, canoeing, ballooning, sailing, skiiing and diving. Adrenaline rush sports are: mountainbiking, rafting, paragliding, parachuting, boarding and freeclimbing. Sports halls are usually at health resorts.