Slovene Learning Community and Resources

Learning Slovenian can be fun and creative if you incorporate the play method. These games are also a great way to build vocabulary, pronunciation and confidence when speaking Slovenian. They are also suitable for all ages and levels of language proficiency.

Games enable active learning, which has been proven to be more effective than passive listening or reading. Participation in the games encourages participants to actively use Slovenian vocabulary and structures, which strengthens their practical knowledge of the language. In addition, such activities improve memory, as linking language with fun creates deeper cognitive connections.

Another important aspect is the improvement of pronunciation. Many games, such as voice exercises or karaoke, encourage speaking and help learners overcome their fear of speaking (or singing) in a foreign language. Through repetition and interaction in a safe environment, language anxiety is reduced, allowing for better learning.

Last but not least, games encourage social interaction and cooperation. Language learning is a social process, so games involving interaction with others are crucial for developing communication skills. By participating in games, the student learns to use language in real situations, which contributes to his/her self-confidence and fluency.

Whith this inted, we at OLS have prepared 20 fun games for Erasmus+ students and the European Solidarity Corps participants to improve oral expression in Slovenian:

»Slovenski ššš«: the game is simple - one starts a sentence, the other continues it. The aim is to create a meaningful story, without laughing! Whoever laughs first loses the round.

Mimicry: players draw slips of paper with different Slovenian words or phrases, which they have to pantomime. The others try to guess.

Slovenian riddles: players exchange traditional Slovenian riddles. Whoever answers correctly gets a point.

Telephone: a classic game where one whispers a sentence to the next and so on. At the end, check aloud how the sentence has changed.

Ask and Answer: each player asks a question in Slovenian and the next player has to answer. The game continues in a circle.

Letter words: choose a letter. Each player has to say a word that starts with that letter, and can also add a description of its meaning.
Replace one word: one player says a sentence and the other player replaces one word with another so that the sentence is still meaningfully correct.

Word hunt: each player chooses an object in the room and describes it without naming it. The others have to guess which object it is.

Slovenian phrases: write well-known Slovenian proverbs and phrases on slips of paper. Players have to explain them or use them in a sentence.

Who am I? Each player sticks a piece of paper with the name of a person, animal or object on their forehead. They find out who they are by asking questions that can only be answered "yes" or "no".

Word rhymes: one starts with a Slovenian word, the other has to say the word that rhymes with it. The game lasts until someone gives up.

Slovenian karaoke: choose a favourite Slovenian song and try to sing it. For extra fun, use karaoke recordings (i.e. with lyrics).

Word linking: each player says a word linked to the previous one. For example: 'roža' - 'roža' - 'vrt', etc.

Slovenian quiz: prepare questions about Slovenian culture, history and language. Players answer orally.

Slovenian alphabet: choose a topic (e.g. food, animals). Each player has to say the Slovenian word to the next letter of the alphabet from the chosen topic.

Strange stories: each player adds one sentence to the story. Try to make it as funny as possible!

Number game: each player has to say a number in Slovene, but instead of saying the number (for example 3 or multiples of 3), say "bum".

Voice exercise: choose a Slovene language twister and everyone tries to pronounce it correctly. For example: "Four gnomes are counted by a stork with a squeak."

Slovenian dialogue: simulate everyday situations such as going to the market, shopping in a shop or ordering food in a restaurant. Try to converse only in Slovene.

Word associations: one person says a word and the other has to quickly say the first association that comes to mind.

Which is your favourite oral game? #Share with us in the comments. Make your Slovenian lessons full of laughter and creativity!