The study presents an analysis of the implementation, experiences, and outcomes of a national project focused on teaching Slovak as a Second Language (L2) within the context of the Hungarian national minority in Slovakia. The primary objective of the project is to enhance the quality of higher education for future teachers at minority schools who will specialize in teaching Slovak as L2. The study examines several systemic processes, including the development of innovative methodological models. In the initial phase, the current state of instruction in existing university courses related to teaching Slovak as L2 across various study programs at the J. Selye University was analyzed. The research utilized qualitative course analysis supported by ATLAS.ti software, which served as the basis for proposing new and innovative subjects. Consequently, new courses were developed (Development of Communication Skills; Children’s Literature and Linguistic Work with Literary Texts), and selected existing courses were updated (Integrated Didactics; Didactics of Teaching Slovak Language and Slovak Literature in Primary Education). The implementation of these courses was pilot-tested through a questionnaire survey among students (N = 125) and monitored using structured observation sheets. The results indicate that 75.8% of respondents found the inclusion of foreign language teaching methods beneficial, and 48.7% rated the course content as relevant to their future pedagogical practice. Based on these findings, new pedagogical materials were also developed. This systematic approach, validated through pilot testing and research, provides a sustainable model for supporting linguistic integration and the competitiveness of graduates from national minorities.

Authors:
Patrik Šenkár, J. Selye University, Slovakia

About the Presenter(s)
Patrik Šenkár, Assoc. Prof., PhD. at J. Selye University, Slovakia. Research: education of Hungarian minority in Slovakia, literary science. Current project: Slovak as a Second Language in Pre-service Teacher Training (national project).

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