Slovene and Italian Language – Our Commitment to a Bilingual Region
At Koper International School, we are proud to be located in one of Europe’s
few officially bilingual regions, where Slovene and Italian cultures and
languages coexist and thrive. As a school committed to nurturing global
citizens with strong local roots, we embed multilingualism into
the core of our curriculum and identity. We believe that language is more than
just communication—it’s a powerful expression of cultural
heritage, identity, and belonging.
Our language programmes reflect our dedication to preparing students for
life in a bilingual world. Through structured, age-appropriate language
instruction, students not only become fluent in English, the school’s main
language of instruction, but also develop competence in Slovene and Italian and
nurture native speakers of both languages. Whether as native
speakers or language learners, our students gain the linguistic and cultural
tools needed to thrive locally and globally.
We celebrate the linguistic diversity of our school community and region, encouraging our students to embrace both national identity and multicultural understanding. Our Slovene and Italian programmes are designed to support every learner—whether maintaining a heritage language or acquiring a new one.
Slovene as a Native Language
For native Slovene speakers, we offer a full curriculum aligned with
the Slovene national programme, ensuring students maintain
high proficiency and cultural literacy. In primary school,
students receive 5 lessons per week of
native-level Slovene. In secondary school, students continue
with 3 to 5 weekly lessons, offering flexibility to support
individual academic pathways while maintaining strong foundations in their
mother tongue. This approach enables students to progress alongside peers in
the national system, while benefiting from our international school
environment.
Sample of texts studied:
- Prežihov Voranc: Solzice, Samorastniki (Year 7)
- France Prešeren: Zdravljica, Gazele, Glose (Year 9)
- Ivan Cankar: Hlapec Jernej in njegova pravica; Hlapci (Year 12)
Slovene as a Second Language
Students who are new to Slovene receive tailored support through our second-language
programme. In primary, students receive 5 lessons per
week, fostering early exposure and consistent practice.
In lower secondary (Years 7–9), students continue
with 3 lessons per week, building towards practical fluency.
From Year 10 onwards, students can choose either 2 or 4
lessons per week, offering flexibility depending on their
language goals and academic focus. We aim to equip all students with the
Slovene they need to feel confident and integrated in our local community.
In collaboration with NISTA,
we conduct internal CEFR-aligned exams from A1 to C1,
offering formal certification of language proficiency. This pathway opens doors
to universities and workplaces in Italy and beyond, supporting our mission of
fostering truly multilingual global citizens.
Italian as a Native Language
Italian holds a special place in our school and region. As part of a
recognised bilingual area, we are proud to uphold the Italian
linguistic and cultural tradition for our native
Italian-speaking students. Our Italian native-language curriculum follows
the Italian national guidelines, with a strong emphasis
on literature, poetry, history, and cultural heritage.
Students engage deeply with canonical texts and modern writers alike, fostering
both academic excellence and cultural pride.
In primary school, native Italian speakers receive 5 lessons per
week, ensuring continuous language development. In secondary
school, students may choose to take either 3 or 5
Italian lessons weekly, allowing them to balance intensive
language study with other academic commitments. This flexibility ensures that
students can tailor their education while remaining fully immersed in the
Italian language and culture.
Samples of texts studied:
- The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri (Year 8)
- La profezia dell'armadillo by Zerocalcare (year 10)
Italian as a Second Language
For non-native speakers, Italian is introduced as a second language with
structured support and international certification opportunities. In primary,
students receive 5 hours of instruction per week,
providing a strong foundation in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
From Year 7 onward, secondary students continue with 3 hours per
week, preparing for the IGCSE Italian exam at the end of
Year 11. Advanced learners may fast-track and
sit the exam earlier in Year 9, provided they reach a
minimum CEFR level of A2+/B1.
In collaboration with NISTA, we conduct internal
CEFR-aligned exams from A1 to C1,
offering formal certification of language proficiency. Students can continue
their studies in Italian A-Level in Years 12
and 13, aiming for a B2 level by graduation, which
is recognized by universities globally. This pathway opens doors to
universities and workplaces in Italy and beyond, supporting our mission of
fostering truly multilingual global citizens.