First functional online Slovak course launched
What is claimed to be the first free online Slovak-language course, with a tuition guide available in six other languages, has been launched. Its creators say it is designed to help those interested in learning the language. So far, Lithuanians have shown the biggest interest, the Sme daily wrote.
The website, www.slovake.eu, started officially operating on March 13, but the first extensive course of Slovak at the A1 level went live only on April 27, 2011. Although the site is still being developed and some parts will appear only in future days and weeks, it has already enjoyed numerous visitors: more than 80 users have registered, including some from Canada, Lithuania, and the USA.
So far an introductory Slovak course, plus dictionary, library, grammar guide and tests are available. The website is currently in six languages – Slovak, Esperanto, German, English, Lithuanian and Polish – and more are planned. The project, called Slovak Online, is coordinated by the Edukácia@Internet civic association which has been operating the world’s biggest Esperanto teaching portal, www.lernu.net, since 2002. Spokesperson Peter Baláž told Sme that in upcoming weeks it plans to add new games, exercises, and the second Slovak course, at A2-beginner-level, with video lessons, tests and more.
The partners in the project are the Linguistic Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, the GAUS Studio from Germany, Vilnius University from Lithuania, the Academy of Computer Science, Management and Administration in Warsaw, and the Slovak Centre in London; it has been also supported by the European Commission within the KA2-Languages Programme of Lifelong Education.
Source: Sme
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
