Language could be a barrier when you move abroad, but it is also one of the keys to facilitate people's integration into, and a better understanding of the country.
Learning the language of the country where you will be living in improves communication and can contribute to increased cultural awareness in order to bridge cultural gaps.
Being aware of that, the Department of International Affairs and the Language Centre decided to join forces and combine their expertise to offer International employees and PhD students the opportunity to study the Czech language at the University.
Since October 2018, the Language Centre offers Czech courses for beginners, intermediate and advanced students.
At the moment, 3 lecturers and 20 international employees and PhD students from Sweden, India, South Africa, the Philippines, Germany, Chile and some other countries are part of this new project.
Let's get to know them and ask them what they think about this new initiative and about the Czech language!
If you are interested and would like to join the Czech course next semester, please contact Libuše Cermanová: Libuse.cermanova@upce.cz
Ms Culková is one of the teachers involved in the project.
I am an experienced teacher of Czech for foreigners.
The Czech language is beautiful. But only when you teach it as a foreign language, do you realise how complicated it is: pronunciation, declination, prefixes, suffixes, conjugation and lots of exceptions.
All of „my students" work at the University of Pardubice and their main motivation is to be able to communicate outside the university. My mission is not merely to teach them Czech, but also to help them to avoid the language traps.
I believe we will be successful.
Atilla Pató
Lecturer at the Language Centre
and manager of the Library, Centre for Ethics
Where are you from?
Hungary
How long have you been in the Czech Republic? And how long will you stay here?
11 years (since 2007). b. no specific limit
Why have you decided to study the Czech Language?
For work and social life, culture, etc.
What would you say to motivate people to join you and learn Czech?
If one is ready to join a society and its culture, language is just vital. Even more, local people always appreciate if one is willing to learn their language.
What has learning Czech brought you?
Awareness of rules in grammar, and vocabulary, of course. And it helps a lot if you have someone who shares similar problems. Also, new friends in the class.
Philip Strammer
Researcher at the Centre for Ethics,
Faculty of Arts and Philosophy
Where are you from?
I am from Stuttgart, Germany.
How long have you been in the Czech Republic? And how long will you stay here?
I have been living here for only 2 months, since October 2018, and I plan to live here for at least 3 years in total.
Why have you decided to study the Czech Language?
In order to be able to communicate in everyday situations with Czechs, especially outside of Prague, where many people speak neither German nor English. Simply going to a butchery and being able to ask/order/articulate my wishes would be wonderful.
What would you say to motivate people to join you and learn Czech?
Firstly, accept the fact that Czech is a complicated language. Secondly, draw practical conclusions from that: really learn the various grammatical constructions, the pronunciations, etc. and immerse yourself in the language as far as possible. Then, what is challenging in it, will also be very rewarding when you inevitably make progress.
What has learning Czech brought you?
The inner view of a language which is fundamentally different from the other languages I know and enables different ways of thinking, which can be very exciting.
Caroline Novák Jolly
International Office
