Slovakia Lower Secondary Education Curriculum (ISCED 2) - Two Foreign Languages

Lower secondary education in Slovakia (ISCED 2) covers grades 5 to 9. Students are required to study two foreign languages. The first foreign language, typically English, begins earlier in primary education. Schools are obligated to offer students in grades 7-9 at least two lessons per week of a second foreign language. The available second foreign languages include French, German, Russian, Spanish, and Italian, and the specific languages offered depend on the school's resources and student interest.

Curriculum Details:

The curriculum is based on state educational programs and school educational programs. The state program defines overall goals and key competencies, while the school program adapts the curriculum to regional needs and the school's specific focus. The National Institute of Education and Youth (NIVAM) is responsible for developing the state educational program and framework teaching plans.

Subjects and Lesson Allocation (Grades 5-9):

The following table shows the minimum weekly lesson allocation for compulsory subjects in lower secondary education. Schools can utilize optional lessons to offer additional subjects, including the second foreign language:

| Educational Area | Subject | Grades 5-9 (Total Weekly Lessons) | |-----------------------------------|----------------------------------------|-----------------------------------| | Language and Communication | Slovak Language and Literature | 24 | | | English Language | 15 | | Man and Nature | Physics | 6 | | | Chemistry | 5 | | | Biology | 7 | | Man and Society | History | 6 | | | Geography | 6 | | | Civics | 4 | | Man and Values | Ethics/Religious Education | 5 | | Mathematics and Work with Info. | Mathematics | 21 | | | Information Science | 4 | | Man and the World of Work | Technology | 5 | | Art and Culture | Music Education | 4 | | | Art Education | 5 | | Health and Movement | Physical and Sport Education | 10 | | Total Compulsory | | 127 | | Optional Lessons | (Including second foreign language) | 19 | | Total (Compulsory + Optional) | | 146 |

Transversal Topics:

In addition to the core subjects, the curriculum includes transversal topics integrated into various subject areas. These topics include:

• Multicultural Education
• Media Education
• Personal and Social Development
• Environmental Education
• Traffic Education/Road Safety
• Protection of Life and Health
• Regional Education and Folk Culture
• Project Creation and Presentation Skills

Testing 9:

At the end of 9th grade, students take the national Testing 9 examination, which assesses their knowledge in mathematics and their language of instruction (Slovak or, in some cases, Hungarian).