Degree Programmes

Czech for Foreigners

Degree programme in a nutshell

The Bachelor's study program (realized and taught only in Czech) has been created for foreigners (non-native speakers of the Czech language), whose input knowledge of Czech is at the beginners' level (min. A1 according to the CEFR). The students acquire both written and spoken communication skills in the Czech language and get to know the basic features of Czech life (history, culture, and literature).

We pay attention especially to practicing the language in both written and oral forms, focusing on text creation, seminar papers, understanding written and spoken texts, and conversation skills. A considerable portion of the study focuses on the perfection of the Czech grammar rules and on providing enough information about the stratification of the Czech national language. The language courses are complemented by the disciplines focused on Czech history, culture, and literature. The study program includes excursions, student conferences, project teaching, and other activities.

The teaching language is Czech but in the first year of study, it is partly English, which serves as a language of mediation (only in necessary cases at the beginning of studies). The study applicant's English must thus be at the level of B1 (according to the CEFR). The program is designed as a single or double major study. The standard study period is three years.

At the end of the study, there is a state final exam and a defense of a bachelor's thesis. Czech is the language of both the exam and the thesis. The students who pass the exams will get a Bc. degree (Bachelor).

Czech for Foreigners

Jsem cizinec a chtěl bych se učit česky. If you have understood the previous sentence, you can boldly sign up for the study program Czech for Foreigners. Our colleague Michal Místecký will explain to you who the study is suitable for, and what will you learn.

What do we expect from you?

The precondition for accepting an applicant to the study program is the knowledge of the Czech language at the beginning level, which corresponds at least to the A1 category according to the CEFR. Applicants must also be able to communicate in B1 English, as English serves as a language of mediation (only in necessary cases at the beginning of studies).

Applicants should thus be able to communicate in Czech in simple, repetitive situations with predictable information interchange about well-known topics and activities. Their vocabulary should cover basic conversation topics, such as family, hobby, food, shopping, traveling, studies, etc. Applicants must be able to introduce themselves and their families, describe their previous schooling, explain their motivation for studying the program, etc.

Besides spoken communication, applicants must be able to write short, easy texts, such as a simple personal letter (e-mail), a notice, etc.

Language competence thus corresponds to the contents of these textbooks:
Holá, L., & Bořilová, P. (2011). Čeština expres 1: Praha: Akropolis. (the A1 level)
Holá, L., & Bořilová, P. (2011). Čeština expres 2: Praha: Akropolis. (the A1 level)

The applicant must have completed of secondary education with a secondary school leaving examination. It is, therefore, necessary to perform the so-called nostrification, more information can be found at Foreign Transcripts.

What will you learn?

Being graduates of the three-year Czech for Foreigners Bachelor’s study program, students have considerable linguistic knowledge and skills, predominantly in the field of synchronic, communication-focused Czech studies – close reading, text analysis, and genre distinction. They have a solid grasp of Czech history, literature, and culture. They are able to work with language handbooks and dictionaries.

The output communication skills in both written and spoken forms are the B2 level (according to the CEFR). The graduates thus understand the main ideas of texts covering both abstract and concrete topics. They can speak fluently and spontaneously with native speakers, without much effort being made on both sides. They can write texts on a considerably wide range of topics, explain their stances on the current issues and defend them, or justify the pros and cons of various options.

How will the degree equip you for the job market?

The students who acquire a bachelor's degree (Bc.) in this program may continue in the Czech for Foreigners Master's program and get an Mgr. degree (Master). After the Master's program, it is possible to continue in the doctor's study program and get a Ph.D. degree.

The graduate can work as an independent worker in facilities and institutions presenting Czech culture abroad, a lecturer of Czech for foreigners, an interpreter and translator in Czech or foreign companies, a guide, an employee in state administration or various cultural institutions. The acquired practical skills of working with the text and language competence also offer him employment in the field where a good knowledge of Czech as a foreign language is required (e.g. language editor, business communication, marketing).

Specific position

independent worker in facilities and institutions presenting Czech culture abroad
interpreter and translator in Czech or foreign companies
worker in state administration or various cultural institutions
teacher of Czech language for foreigners
language editor
guide

Admissions procedure

Department coordinating your studies

• Department of Czech Language

Contacts

• The student advisor for the degree programme will provide more information on the content of the programme Mgr. Tereza Klemensová, Ph.D.
• General questions on studies and the admissions procedure will be answered at Student Office.
• Questions from applicants with specific needs (e.g. a disability) will be answered by our Centrum Pyramida.
• Do you need advice on what else you could study or which studies are most suitable for you? Contact our Counseling and Career Centre.