Channel 4 Learning


Teachers' Notes
Slovenia

The following sites contain interesting information, and are also suitable for children.

http://www.multimap.com
- detailed maps of Europe, including Slovenia

http://www.ijs.si/slo/ljubljana/map.html
- interactive map of the city centre of Ljubljana

http://www.creativ.si/tourist/
- information about visiting Slovenia

http://www.matkurja.com/eng/country-info/
- facts about Slovenia

Questions before watching the programme:
What do people from other European countries think of Slovenia?
What things do you think children would say about Slovenia?

Questions during viewing:
Is life in the countryside very traditional? Why do you think this?
How does life in the city compare with life in the country?

STUDENT WORKSHEET

The pupils can answer some of the questions after watching the TV programme, while others need to be researched using an atlas, encyclopædia, text book, the ‘We are from’ website or other internet sites. Some questions can be filled in on the worksheet, but most will require a separate answer sheet.

Answers to the assignments



  1. The Slovene flag



  2. Map of Europe highlighting the location of Slovenia



  3. Map of Slovenia showing the capital Ljubljana

  4.  
Capital: Ljubljana
Population: 2,000,000
Area: 20,273 sq km
People per sq km: 95
Language: Slovenian, but most speak English, German or Italian as well.
Currency: Slovene Tolar (SIT)

Answers to viewing questions

  1. The presenter says the largest cave is 20km long, there are 7,500 caves to be found and 100 more are discovered every year. You can also find 'human fish' - they live in darkness so don't need eyes and have flesh-coloured skin..

  2. The presenter tells us that 'buckwheat pie' is pretty typical: it is made of mashed potatoes, beans, sausages, cabbage and salad.

  3. The square in Ljubljana is named after their famous poet, Prešeren.

Answers to optional assignments

  1. 1. Opinion question.

  2. 1. Opinion question.

  3. 3. Opinion question. This is to inspire thought about traditions and how they are still going on in all countries. The Slovene 'Kurent', a character costume and dance which is meant to chase winter away may seem strange to people from another country, but there are many things in other countries that might also seem strange to a Slovene person.

  4. Opinion question.

Internet Assignment

The 'Kurent' has an unknown origin. It is thought to hark back to the 6th Century when the Slovenes first settled in the area, or it could be Celtic-Illyrian, or even one of the Uskoks customs (from the 15th/16th Century). There is no definite answer given as the origin is uncertain.