Summer School of Serbian Language and Culture, Valjevo

Project title
"Summer School of Serbian Language and Culture", Valjevo 2023.

Time
From July 17 to August 4, 2023.

3 weeks
17/07/2023 - 04/08/2022
- Serbian language, 60 classes - Culture seminar, 18 classes - Course books and materials - Accommodation in a twin room - Bed sheets and towels - Free use of kitchen - 3 excursions - Free Internet access at the school - TOTAL - 799€/ STUDENTS - 399€
Applying for program

Venue
Valjevo, Serbia (learn more about Valjevo).

Levels
Students of all levels, from beginners to advanced, can apply for the Summer School.

Goals of the project
- Learning and improving Serbian (available for all levels: beginners, intermediate, advanced, proficiency);
- studying Serbian culture, traditional values and modern tendencies through theory and practice;
- living in an authentic Serbian environment, making contacts with real Serbs, exchanging experiences and opinions with them.

Calendar (subject to minor changes)

Sunday: arrival in Valjevo, language test;
Monday: Serbian lessons and culture seminar; opening ceremony, excursion;
Tuesday: Serbian lessons and culture seminar; Serbian national cuisine;
Wednesday: Serbian lessons and culture seminar; Serbian folk dancing;
Thursday: Serbian lessons and culture seminar; Serbian folk singing;
Friday: Serbian lessons and culture seminar; (closing ceremony, awarding certificates and diplomas);
Saturday: excursion
Sunday: excursion

Course in Serbian
By attending the Serbian course you will gain new and improve your current language abilities. After a placement test taken upon the arrival students will be divided into groups according to their knowledge. There are six groups: beginners 1, beginners 2, intermediate 1, intermediate 2, advanced and proficiency. Each group will have an appropriate syllabus, Serbian language instructors, and will work separately from other groups. The emphasis is on developing communicative skills in Serbian. The theoretic, i.e. systematic aspect of the language is presented in the ways that are most suitable to the needs of every respective level. Serbian language classes are held from 9:00 to 14:10 on weekdays.

Classes 1-2	Break	Classes 3-4	Break	Classes 5-6 (30 classes a week)
09:00- 10:30	10:30- 10:50	10:50- 12:20	12:20- 12:40	12:40- 14:10

You will have 20/30 language classes a week. You are not required to attend all the classes, but if you need our language certificate, you are not allowed to miss more than 10%.

Culture seminar
Culture seminar comprises workshops and lectures on various subjects, such as: Workshops: Serbian folk singing, Serbian folk dancing, Serbian national cuisine, Serbian national theater. Lectures: Serbian cultural history, Religion of the Serbs, Old crafts in Serbia, History of Serbia in the 20th century, Serbian language, Serbian fine arts, Serbian architecture. These workshops and lectures are held on weekdays. Field work also possible. A more detailed schedule will be available during Summer School.

Culture seminar	Break	Culture seminar
18:00-19:30	19:30-20:00	20:00-21:30

There are 18 possible classes at the culture seminar. You are not required to attend all the classes, but if you need our certificate for this field, you are not allowed to miss more than 50%.

Evening meetings
These activities are organized from time to time, always in the evening. At these meetings you can practice your language skills and test your knowledge through various games and quizzes. Winners can expect valuable prizes. You will also be able to meet eminent Serbs: artists, scientists, politicians and business people. A more detailed schedule will be available during the seminar. This part of the Summer School is not obligatory and we do not award certificates for taking part in it.

Excursions
The excursions are intended to get you more acquainted with picturesque Serbia. The school offers 1-day trips and there are several options:

a sightseeing tour of Valjevo,
a sightseeing tour of Belgrade (capital of Serbia),
an excursion to the Guča Brass Band Festival,
a visit to medieval monasteries in West Serbia,
a tour of the canyon of the Gradac River,
an excursion to Petnica (Petnica Research Station, Petnica cave, Petnica lake, Petnica sports center),
a visit to the historical complex in Brankovina,
a visit to Drvengrad, Mokra Gora.

Other destinations are also possible.

Sports & recreation
During Summer School sports facilities are available in your free time. Valjevo has an open-air swimming pool, many gyms, aerobics facilities, tennis courts, facilities for football, basketball, tracks and mini golf. There are horse riding stables too. You can also hire a bicycle at a moderate price. The town is convenient for jogging and all open-air sporting activities because it is very clean, unpolluted and closely linked to nature.

Accommodation
Accommodation is in a student dorm specially designed and built for students of the Summer School. It is located on the upper floors of the school building. The rooms are cozy and your hosts will help you with anything you need. Accommodation in a host-family is available at additional charge. The families have a significant role in teaching Serbian language and culture and take part in the education process. If you have any special requests regarding accommodation (such as a hotel room, apartment, or you already have an accommodation), please contact us.

Food
If you would like to cook for yourself, the use of kitchen is free of charge. Two meals a day (breakfast and supper), with traditional domestic specialties and the atmosphere of Serbian hospitality, are available at additional charge. Please inform us if you require a special diet (e.g. vegetarian or other).