Job Discussion Forums

pacific · Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 18

Do any of you have recommendations as to where a good place to go for Czech language lessons is in Prague?

Someone on this forum mentioned Charles University's intensive August course, but we won't be getting in to Prague till mid-August. So a semester or quarter-long course that starts in the fall would be the best option.

From what I gather, a lot of language instruction in the Czech Rep is grammar-based. I am looking for something more practical - more of a communicative approach.

I've looked around the internet a bit, but it's hard to judge the quality & style. So, I'm looking for 1st person testimonies or what the word out "on the street" is.

Thanks so much!

parrothead · Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 342 Location: Japan

I studied at Palacky University in Olomouc a dozen years ago, so I don't know about specific Czech classes in Prague.

Here is a link to a list of schools on expats.cz: http://www.expats.cz/prague/directory/learn-czech/0/
Perhaps someone else can offer firsthand experience.

Learn a few phrases now and some lexical sets that you can use right away. Plan on using them when you hit the ground and they will stick.

Personally, I find Czech grammar essential to effective communication. It is a doozy for sure, with the 7 cases, declensions, genders and plurals. Without it, however, you are just stringing nouns and verbs together like a caveman. It worked well for me by considering the different situations I would be in and what task I would be trying to accomplish, whether shopping, drinking with friends, ragging on Czech politicians, or taking a walk with a pretty Czech girl.

mr tree · Joined: 09 Oct 2007 Posts: 98 Location: Prague, CzR

i learnt "communicatively" through Caledonian School and found the course painfully slow, as it was for Absolute Beginners and catering to different levels. in 3 hours, i was learning 1hr of "useful" stuff. then repeat, repeat, repeat.

i plan to learn, but can survive without. i'm picking up bits as I go, and am now planning to "teach myself" using a beginner's textbook. fortunately I have a lot of Czech friends to practice on. unfortunately, they teach me some horrendously inappropriate language!

Nozka · Joined: 26 Feb 2008 Posts: 50 Location: "The City of Joy"

Try learning Czech "v hospode."
There's at least one in every village or town and on just about any street in the larger cities.

Nazdravi!

Nozka

briana74 · Joined: 02 Jun 2009 Posts: 30

Hello!
Any student books that u recommend to learn Czech? is it a good idea to get a teach- yourself course (as opposed to joining a group?)

cks · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 144

Any of the textbooks by Linda Hola-Czech Step by Step and Czech Express. I also like Survival Czech which can be checked out at the library. I have also heard good things about Colloquial Czech.