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Slovak Language

The official language spoken in Slovakia is Slovak. It is one of the most interesting and complicated languages in the world. In writing, Slovak is recognizable by the large number of accents it uses. It has the longest alphabet among the languages of Europe, with no less than 46 letters. 

Language Courses for International Students

There are two possibilities to learn the Slovak language. Either in person in Slovakia or online via various courses and tools.

Learning Slovak online

There are several websites offering Slovak language courses on various levels. Some of them offer only courses for autodidacts, another offer also tutoring or guidance. Here are several options:

  • Slovake.eu – free online course for mastering language levels A1 – B2;
  • E-Slovak – free online course for mastering language levels A1 – A2 with the guidance of tutors (check the website for enrolment terms).

More possibilities on how to learn Slovak (YouTube videos, podcasts, language courses, etc.) can be found at the website of the IOM Migration Information Centre.

The levels of language proficiency used here are identified in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (more information and self‑assessment is available on this website).

Learning Slovak in Slovakia

Foreigners can attend Slovak language courses at universities or at several state and private language schools.

Studia Academica Slovaca (SAS) – Centre for Slovak as a Foreign Language at the Comenius University

Courses of Slovak as a foreign language are offered by the Studia Academica Slovaca (SAS) – Centre for Slovak as a Foreign Language to international students, scholarship holders, host students and others, who are interested. Also, bilateral agreements between governments or ministries of education often offer scholarships for participation in the Summer School of Slovak Language and Culture organised by the SAS which lasts 3 weeks and takes place in August (list of countries with scholarship possibility for summer school SAS). More information is available on the website of the respective authorities.

Institute for Language and Preparatory Studies for Foreigners and Compatriots at the Comenius University

The Institute for Language and Preparatory Studies for Foreigners and Compatriots (ILPS) of the Centre for Continuing Education at Comenius University in Bratislava provides tuition of Slovak as a foreign language and prepares its students for various degree programmes at Slovak universities. In addition, the institute produces learning materials and organises many cultural and educational activities, e.g. Summer University of Slovak Language and Culture.

Other possibilities to learn Slovak in Slovakia

Other universities may also organise Slovak language courses for their international students/researchers – for more information, please, contact the International Relations Office of the respective higher education institution.

Courses of Slovak language for the purpose of university study are also organised by private language schools, e.g. iCan Language School in Bratislava.

Foreigners can also attend general Slovak language courses at several state and private language schools. They offer group tuition or individual courses tailored to the clients’ individual needs. The courses are aimed at mastering all four language skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing. The courses are usually held twice a week – 2 standard lessons (90 min. in total) per day. State language schools can be found in larger towns in Slovakia (Bratislava, Košice, Žilina, Spišská Nová Ves, Prešov and Trenčín).

Private language schools offering courses of Slovak are, for example, Eurolingua or other smaller private language schools.

Nationals of countries outside the European Union/European Economic Area/Switzerland, EU citizens with a university degree  and foreign university students studying at universities in Slovakia can attend a free of charge “Open Course of Slovak Language for Foreigners” organised by the IOM Migration Information Centre in Bratislava and Košice (however this course is oriented more on daily use of Slovak).