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[Canehdian]

I apologize if this post is redundant. I did several unsuccessful searches, but I'm sure some up-to-the minute info. would be the best way to go, anyway.

I need to begin learning Czech for the fall, because I'll be living in a small town. Can you recommend any specific audio materials, or other How To Learn Czech programs? There are a few that sound popular(Pimsleur most of all) but I wondered what has the best rep. for people who actually live there? Any other tips for learning this language? I would be interested to hear what your experience was, learning it.

It goes without saying that I am so very excited to begin, after hearing how everyone raves about this easy language. And by "raves"... I mean "rants." And by "easy"... I mean something ranging from difficult to...several years of effort. Can't wait!!

[ITTP]

Hi Canehdian!

For personal study the 'Step By Step' series comes highly recommended and you can buy these in all the large bookshops.
Comes as a classic Study Book/Work Book/Audio set up.

I have heard some excellent reviews of the summer Czech language courses at Charles University so you might want to consider taking this course in Prague in August.

For me personally, the beauty of learning Czech in Czech Republic (as compared for example with learning French in Paris), is that people here encourage you to learn Czech and are extremely positive towards you when you can even speak just a few words (I found in Paris that my French was often scrutinized and locals there were often critical of my level of command of the French language - love Paris though anyway)
The only draw back with this here is that people will tend to let language mistakes go by without correction - they are just happy that you are taking an interest in learning Czech.

If you are serious about learning Czech then you will need to immerse yourself in the Czech culture. If you are living in a small town or village then perfect, but if you are living in Prague then you will need to be prepared for the situations which occur frequently where you will speak in Czech and they might answer in English.

My Czech is improving all the time due to the fact that I have an excellent teacher; my 3 year old daughter

Spiral should be able to offer additional advice as Spiral (as far as I am aware) speaks Czech - probably better than mine
Living in Prague does tend to make you into a bit of a lazy learner when it comes to Czech.

Hope it helps.

Hezky den!/Lovely day!

Neville

ITTP Prague
Jungmannova 32
Prague 1

[Sigma]

Living in a small town is the best way to learn the language, because chances are not everyone will speak English. As ITTP said, it also helps that the Czechs are very understanding when you are trying to speak.

I live in a small town, and I need Czech for every day situations. For example, yesterday, I had to go to the hairdresser to make an appointment, and I had no problems. Initially, you might get a 'curious' look, because the local people might not be use to a foreigner speaking their language.

Also in a small town you could be isolated, so be prepared for that. Hopefully you will have a support network with your school. The best way to make friends is to learn the language.

[spiral78]

While Neville is correct that Czechs are usually patient with learners, it can still be frustrating for both them and you when it's necessary to communicate in weak Czech.

My Czech is functional, but not fluent - however, I can negotiate on my own in all situations including legal ones these days. Living in a small town gets you there much faster.

I can suggest a couple of practical tactics for communicating in a small-town environment where you will likely have to use Czech often to do your daily business.

First, rehearse what you anticipate you will need to say. Second, learn how to ask in Czech whether the person speaks English (and use this phrase to begin any negotiation). Third, learn a phrase to ask for patience.

For example, I once needed to buy an indoor grill, but I wanted some specific information about the thing before buying it. The girl at the Elektro was not at all patient with my language limitations (some years back) and I went away without my info or the grill.

Overnight, I planned exactly what I needed to say, and prefaced my negotiation with the question "Mluvite Anglicky?" When the girl had to say 'no,' this put us on a slightly different footing (she's no longer the language goddess). Next, I asked for patience "Prosim vas, nemluvim dobre, doufam ze muzete mit trpelivost se mnou."

With these preliminaries (which obviously cover many practical situations) I was finally able to successfully negotiate my grill.

And, always remember that YOU have to weigh and ticket your fruit and vegs at the supermarket. Forgetting to do this can provoke streams of less-than-polite Czech from all sides (overworked cashiers and impatient fellow customers).

[Sigma]

[spiral78]

I can't vouch for the 100% accuracy of the grammar, but the phrase works for me.

[parrothead]

Spiral's phrase is helpful. But if you use it find out where the haceks and carkas are in the words. It makes a big difference.

[spiral78]

Pros�m v�s, nemluv�m dobře, douf�m �e mu�ete m�t trpělivost se mnou."

I can't find the long u symbol on my keyboard, but the u in mluvim and muzete are both long.

[Canehdian]

Thanks, everyone. Practicality is definately going to be my focus as I begin studying. Sigma, it's reassuring to hear they generally react positively to foreigners attempting to use their language, although I can understand impatience especially in retail settings. Thanks for that phrase Spiral...it's always amazing to see how much of a difference a brief appeal for patience/apology for lack of skill can make. ITTP, thanks for recommending that series, definately sounds like what I'm looking for with audio/workbook/study materials. I won't arrive until the end of August, so that lang. course in Prague isn't an option. I wonder if someone in my town would give me Czech lessons in exchange for English ones? But I definately want to know some phrases BEFORE I arrive.

I keep hearing that Czech speakers can learn English more easily than English speakers can learn Czech. From what I've seen of Czech websites I'm not suprised. Their words are dauntingly long!! How much time did it take you to begin understanding Czech? Maybe that depends if you are in a big city or small town, but I was just wondering.

[spiral78]

There are native English speakers who have been living in Prague for years who can't speak Czech, beyond ordering in a restaurant and a few other daily activities. Some of them even have Czech spouses, who are obviously fluent in English...not to be critical - it's a viable option in the big city.

Early in my Czech days, when I tried speaking Czech in restaurants, the waiters would often answer me in English, until I learned to ask them to let me practice my Czech, please.

You'll learn much faster in a smaller town. Yes, I expect you'll find circumstances where you can trade English for Czech - ideally, try to find someone who is a teacher. And ask them not to overwhelm you with grammatical rules - you can start speaking without a complete knowledge of grammar. And, Czech grammar is truly daunting!!

The good thing about all those long words that are intimidating you is that, once you understand the (relatively simple) rules for pronunciation, the spelling and punctuation of the words tells you exactly how to pronounce them. This is good news, compared to English pronunciation.

Now, whether you can every really say that ř correctly or if you have to fake it a bit (like me) is another topic! It's the most difficult sound in any language on earth, I've read.

[Sigma]

[spiral78]

Hmmm..actually, I think it's opposite for me

...řizek vs. skřin...yeah, it's a bit easier in the beginning of the word. As for how I get close enough for understanding without the ideal ability to pronounce the sound, I think it requires a soundbite - probably I can't write it.

But my czech spouse has the same problem with 'th.' And the same principle seems to apply - 'the' is not so difficult, but 'brother' often turns into 'brudder.' especially when speaking quickly

'both' seems to work ok too...

So maybe it's the mid-word position that makes the sound more difficult.

[johnnyappleseed]

Řizek is definitely harder than skřin for me. Also I have problem when ř follows a vowel--I pronounce Jiři Jeerzhee.
After most consonants it's not that hard.

[spiral78]

Never said I was typical

[ITTP]

Vaclav Havel apparantly cannot pronounce the r (with hacek) sound.
(at least that was the case when he was in office as president before Kalus took over the helm).
Soz, got a UK Mac so no Czech symbols on my keyboard.
It's actually fairly common that a lot of Czechs can't pronounce the r (with hacek).

I personally have a difficulty with the trilled r as well.
(as well of course as with the r with hacek).

Once again though, Czechs are incredibly encouraging to new learners of their language and it's my experience that you will be given language confidence boosters most times you stumble through a Czech sentence in dialogue.

There ARE some really moody and generally frustrated local Czechs who won't give two hoots if you are speaking Czech or not but these people are (thankfully) in the minority and do tend to work in either the tourist service or in shops.

Btw, and going a bit off-topic here, following up johnnyappleseeds post; a magnificent rizek can be found at Bruska restaurant in Prague 6 (near the Hradcanska metro station). It costs a little more than usual at 78 CZK plus the charge for a side dish BUT it is mouthwateringly tasty.
They also have Birrell non-alcoholic beer on tap (jam jam).

Just wanted to add though that I am in no way associated with Bruska restaurant except for the many times that I have sat and ordered there

SUNNY day here today in Prague.

Everyone have a great day!

Neville

ITTP Prague
Jungmannova 32
Prague 1