| Abstrakt: |
Abstract: The goal of this paper is to explore the position of the German language in the history of the multilingual city of Osijek, Croatia, and to present the specific role of that language throughout the history of Croatian secondary school system. Historical overview of the position of German language with reference to other (foreign) languages that were instructed in the classical High School of Osijek and its two grammar schools (Realschulen) offers an insight into cultural and political contacts of Croatia with German speaking countries and peoples. This exploration is based on various historical sources and documents, primarily those available in the Museum of Slavonia and in the State Archives of Osijek. In both institutions, a huge contingent of original files and documents of the three schools from their foundation to World War II was investigated and analyzed. Apart from the language policy and the specific position of the German language, the author especially deals with the methodological approach to teaching discourse of German in the high schools of Osijek at specific historical periods. In that way the paper gives evidence on educational and political changes as well as on interference of different languages and cultures throughout the history in the multicultural city of Osijek. |
