About Us
Vodnikova is Croatia's first officially recognised language school. This means that our programmes are approved by the Croatian Ministry of Science and Education, developed in line with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, and focused on real communication, progress and recognised results.
Founded
1952
More than seven decades of continuous work and methodological development.
Recognised Languages
7
English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian and Croatian.
Levels
A1-C2
Programmes for all 6 Council of Europe levels, according to the CEFR.
Certificate
Official Document
Eligible for entry in the electronic employment record.
What Does “First Officially Recognised” Mean?
Accredited Programmes and Official Certificates
Vodnikova delivers programmes approved by the Croatian Ministry of Science and Education, all based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. This means that each level is clearly defined, comparable and focused on measurable learner progress.
Two Paths to a Certificate
An official certificate can be obtained by attending the programme and passing the final exam, or by taking the exam directly for a given level without attending classes.
Value of the Document
A Vodnikova certificate is an official document, eligible for entry in the electronic employment record, and an important proof of proficiency for further education or employment.
Vodnikova Approach
Serious work, small groups and communication from the very first contact with the language.
From 1952 to Today
The School That Shaped Methodology
Vodnikova was founded in 1952 and was the first school in the world to introduce the then-new audio-visual method of teaching foreign languages, developed in Croatia itself. That method strongly influenced the later development of modern approaches to language learning and remained the foundation of many variations that followed.
1952
The beginning of the school and the introduction of the audio-visual method that radically improved foreign language learning.
Continuous Development
Vodnikova continually invests in teacher development and applies the best achievements from foreign language teaching methodology.
Today
Classes can be attended in the classroom or online, individually or in groups, and the programmes remain focused on communication and the practical use of language.
Teachers as a Guarantee of Quality
The guarantee of Vodnikova's success lies in its teachers: language graduates in the languages they teach, participants in professional seminars in Croatia and abroad, mentors to Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences students, and authors of specialised programmes for fields such as medicine, law and finance.
- They mentor future foreign language teachers.
- They take part in professional seminars and conferences in Croatia and in the countries of the languages they teach.
- They develop and tailor programmes to the needs of learners and companies.
Teachers and Approach
Expertise, experience and a clear teaching approach are a key part of Vodnikova's identity.
How We Work
Teaching That Demands Active Participation
Classes are designed so that learners communicate almost constantly. Frontal teaching is reduced to a minimum, with the emphasis on active participation, understanding and speaking with ease.
- Learners are involved in class work for almost the entire lesson.
- The focus is on understanding, speaking and confidence in communication.
- The pace and structure of the lesson leave little room for passive observation.
More Than a Classroom
Workshops, Events and Community
For its learners, Vodnikova also organises free workshops in economics, medicine, business communication, civilisation and the culture of the peoples whose language they are learning, as well as social gatherings and events such as Oktoberfest, an English tea gathering or fritule celebrations.
For Individuals and Companies
Classes at School, at Your Company or Online
In addition to its own building, Vodnikova regularly delivers classes in companies and institutions in Zagreb, in their premises or ours, as well as online throughout Croatia. This enables flexibility without compromising quality and continuity.
University & Mentors
Cooperation with the University of Zagreb
Vodnikova has long been a partner of the University of Zagreb. At our school, language students from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences gain practical knowledge in teaching methodology under the guidance of Vodnikova mentors appointed by the Faculty for the practical part of the programme.
Svijet jezika
Institution Founded for Official Programmes
To meet all requirements for delivering recognised programmes and issuing official documents, Vodnikova founded the accredited institution SVIJET JEZIKA in 2007. This further strengthened the school's status within Croatia's education system.
International Footprint
A Method That Travelled Across Europe
During the 1950s and 1960s, Vodnikova organised seminars for foreign language teachers from almost all over Europe, and in 1961 it was selected through a United Nations call to introduce the audio-visual method at Egyptian universities. Over the decades, the same methodology was introduced in dozens of cities and schools across Croatia and the wider region.
Europe
Seminars for teachers from Austria, France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom and other countries.
UN Project
Through a UN project, Vodnikova took part in transferring the method and training teachers at Egyptian universities.
Textbooks
Vodnikova teachers have written, and the school has published, more than 80 textbooks for foreign languages and Croatian for foreigners.
