On the Common Goals of the New Curriculum and the Integration of Aspects of Sustainable Development into Slovenian Language Instruction

Abstract

This article focuses on the new curriculum for Slovenian language instruction in the Slovenian education system (UN 2025), which, in addition to updated content, also includes so-called common objectives. These have been incorporated into the curricula and knowledge catalogs as part of the reform with the aim of developing common competencies in various subject-specific ways. The new curriculum is presented from the perspective of five common goals and the subject-specific competencies they introduce (language, citizenship, culture and the arts; sustainable development; health and well-being; digital competence; entrepreneurship). Emphasis is placed on sustainable development and the integration of elements of sustainable development and sustainability competencies into Slovenian language instruction. The didacticization of the main subject-specific sustainability competencies, as presented by UN 2025 in accordance with the European Framework of Competences for Sustainability (GreenComp), is also outlined and evaluated; namely: embodying sustainability values, embracing the complexity of sustainability, envisioning sustainable futures, and taking action for sustainability. The article thus provides a starting point for integrating goals that, at first glance, are not directly related to Slovenian language instruction. It also offers insight into the curricular reform of Slovenian language instruction and takes a critical approach to the current attempt to introduce these new competencies into Slovenian language instruction.