ABOUT US

The Summer School of the Serbian Language is a programme intended for all those who wish to learn the Serbian language. 

The focus of our activities is learning and studying of the Serbian language. Our basic activities include: a) increasing the number of the Serbian language speakers among foreigners; b) treasuring and promoting the language and oral culture of native speakers; c) establishing the relations with Serbs abroad, with regard to preserving the Serbian language among different generations of our emigrants.

In our work we use the ijekavica variation of the Serbian language. The knowledge of the Serbian language enables foreigners to communicate easily in the entire area of central and western Balkans.

TEACHING

The cultural heritage of Serbs is presented through three types of program:

1)      Course in the Serbian language and culture

2)      Specialist courses

COURSES IN THE SERBIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE Learning a language means mastering and improving the basic language skills: speaking, reading, writing, listening. The program of language studying will be realized through presentation of Serbian culture and students will master the contents from the area of history, literature, music, art, architecture, folk activities etc.

SPECIALIST COURSES Specialist courses are intended for participants with some basic knowledge of the topic in question: senior students of Serbian studies, post-graduate students, Ph.D students, cultural and public workers and all others who are interested in the Serbian language and culture.

STUDYING IN BANJA LUKA

For foreign students’ needs the Faculty of Philology organizes term stays in Banja Luka. At acceptable scholarship prices and even more acceptable living costs, foreign students can learn or improve their knowledge of Serbian in an authentic surrounding.

A.                 COURSES IN THE SERBIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE

Upon arrival at the Summer School, the participants take entrance exams in order to determine their level: beginner, intermediate or advanced. The beginner level is for those who have never learned Serbian. The intermediate level consists of two sub-levels (Intermediate 1 and Intermediate 2). The Intermediate 1 is for those who possess some basic knowledge of the Serbian grammar and vocabulary, whereas the Intermediate 2 is for those who know how to write, read and communicate in an unfamiliar environment.

The advanced level also consists of two sub-levels: Advanced 1 and Advanced 2. They are intended for those who have a good knowledge of the grammatical system of the Serbian language. The students enlarge their knowledge at lexical, syntactical and stylistic levels. At the Advanced 2 level jargon, archaisms and other stylistically marked words are acquired, with different functional styles, terminological systems and polysemy being taught as well.

Each group is led by a member of the staff of the Serbian Department. The tutor responsible for a group, apart from teaching and organizing individual office hours, also takes care of students’ files, estimating the extent of knowledge and giving suggestions in order to enable each student to progress as fast as possible.

The classes are held in classrooms of the Faculty of Philology. There is a possibility of one-to-one classes, in addition to group work. A group is composed of 6-8 students (10at most).

There is the final examination at the end of the programme. Answers will be graded on a scale from 1 to 5, which means a certain number of credits (5-10), depending on the number of classes taken and level of knowledge, based on the Statute of University of Banja Luka, Articles 86, 87 and 88. The participants get a certificate of completion of the Summer School of the Serbian language. If desired by the student, the Faculty provides a recommendation letter with detailed description of the student’s competence regarding his/her language skills.. The recommendation also contains a brief description of the Summer School curriculum.

B. SPECIALIST COURSES

A special part of The Summer school of the Serbian language and literature is specialist courses from different scientific disciplines. The courses are held by high level professionals and talented lecturers. The topic of the course is covered in ten classes divided in five lectures (90 minutes each). All courses can be combined with the program of language learning and studying and program of cultural studies. Students may choose to attend several courses at the same time. In that case, the Faculty is obliged to set a schedule in such a way as to enable the student to attend all the lectures.

Students, post-graduates or Ph.D. candidates who write a research paper on a topic that is not covered by our program or who conduct research in the area that belongs to the Serbian language and literature should contact the Faculty, which will give them  all the necessary information, enable them to contact an eminent lecturer or organize office hours (by e-mail or in person).  

SCHEDULE AND PRICES

SUMMER SCHOOL OF SERBIAN LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE

intensity	duration	no. of classes	starting	ending
beginner	2 weeks	50 280€	18 Jul 2010 1 Aug 2010	31 Jul 2010 14 Aug 2010
intermediate	2 weeks	50 280€	18 Jul 2010 1 Aug 2010	31 Jul 2010 14 Aug 2010
advanced	2 weeks	50 280€	18 Jul 2010 1 Aug 2010	31 Jul 2010 14 Aug 2010

A two-week course is organized in two terms, July 18^th-Aug 1^st 2010, and Aug 1^st-Aug 14^th 2010. The stay can be extended to as long as three weeks maximum in the first term, or one week in the second. The price of the stay is calculated in proportion to the extension.

Students can either start one of the programmes or, in arrangement with the coordinator, modify the existing schedule. Students who wish to take an intensive course of language have the possibility to add one, two or three classes of one-to-one teaching or group work in the afternoon, to the existing schedule.

Each student applies for one language level.

Also, all residents of Banja Luka and BiH who are interested in our programs can attend some of them. The Summer School is open to everyone, regardless of age, occupation, origin, religion or citizenship.

TWO-WEEK  INTENSIVE PROGRAM

(every day / Monday-Friday)

09.00-10.30     classes

10.30-11.00     break

11.00-12.30     classes

12.30-13.00     break

13.00-14.00     classes and office hours

14.00-18.00     free time and lunch

18.00-              follow-up activities: floor shows, socializing, workshops, afternoon in the countryside; dinner

Saturday: Field trip

Sunday: Day off

Didactic assets

We use modern didactic assets. A basic book, Serbian language for foreigners, written by Prof. Bozo Coric, Ph.D. and Zorica Nikitovic, MA, covers two linguistic levels. For other levels there are various textbooks with a wide selection of texts in ijekavica. We also use modern visual-aid equipment.

APPLICATION AND ARRIVAL

After you have decided upon which program you wish to apply for and in which period, you should:

1.                  Fill in the application form and send it by e-mail. Make sure you include your contact address in order to get our reply and further instruction.

2.                  After all the arrangements about the programme you wish to take have been made, you need to pay a deposit (30% of total price) and send us a copy of the receipt by mail or by fax.

3.                  The deposit is your reservation, but also a guarantee that the program will run. In order to get a visa (if you need one), we will promptly send you a written invitation for your participation in The Summer School of Serbian Language and Culture in Banja Luka.

4.                  After receiving our written invitation, it is important for you to inform us of the way you will arrive here so we can pick you at the airport, regardless of the fact whether you arrive at Zagreb Airport (Croatia) or Banja Luka Airport.

If you do decide to come to our school, we need your application by July 15th at the latest, together with the receipt of the deposit in order to prepare everything for your arrival and stay in Banja Luka.

APPLICATION FORM

Name:

Surname (Family name):

Mother tongue:

Gender:

Date of birth:

Address:

e-mail:

Phone number:

Occupation:

If you are a student, please write which semester you are in and the name of your university.

My knowledge of Serbian language is at the level of: beginner, medium, high level, I have never studied the language.

If you apply for program of language studying, name which one and duration you prefer.

Accommodation desired:

Food:

Notes:

(Send to one of adresses from "Contact".)