If you're planning to study or teach in the Czech Republic, this article is just for you. You might be surprised by the subtle differences between Czech and English communication during classes––be it greetings, or how we address the teachers––I know I was. I first started with English in 3rd grade. I was 8 years old, and learning to say all those new, funny sounds was very exciting and fun. Let me tell you, my 40-something fiancé doesn't find it quite as exciting, and he's constantly asking, "why do y'all say this and not that"? And I would like to address these quirky nuances in this article as well. Because no matter how funny and kind our "Mrs. Teacher" was, most of the things she taught us were just literal translations, and... Show more

Raise your hand if you like animals! Zvířata (“animals”) are awesome and necessary for so many reasons.  You'll soon find out that if you want to speak Czech, you're going to need to learn Czech animal names—even if you're not a fur/feather/fish lover, you don't intend to marry a Czech farmer, or you don't want to talk about your mom's private minizoo.  Why?  Let's see: There is a mouse in my room! I am allergic to dogs. I hate fish; I only eat chicken. No, I can't have that; there's cow’s milk in it. One of the first things Czech babies learn is animal sounds. Jak dělá kráva? Bů! (“What does a cow say? Moo!”). And since you should approach learning a new language just like that—as if you didn't know any other language—let's... Show more

Hello there, friend! How are you today? How has your day been? How long have you been studying Czech? Do you speak other languages? Do you speak English?  You can probably tell that this article is all about the most common Czech questions and answers. I'm going to teach you some basic questions in Czech that may come up in pretty much any conversation, and how to answer them. Why is this important? Well, learning these common phrases and questions will create a great base for your vocabulary and make any interaction in Czech a lot easier for you. There’s more to it, of course. Asking the right question is an awesome way to start a conversation, learn new things, get where you want to be (geographically and spiritually), and learn... Show more

Taking a Czech language test or exam is a decision that might change your entire life. Let's get a bit touchy-feely and personal, shall we?  My long story short: "Oh, maybe I want to be a translator or something, what do I do? Okay, apparently I need a certificate...when's the next exam date? In a few weeks? Cool! Erm... How am I supposed to learn all this stuff in three weeks?" -> Daily panic attacks and lots of crying in the shower (figuratively speaking). -> Passed the exam. -> Works as a freelance translator and writer, currently sitting on a couch thousands of miles away from home, and writing an article on how to pass a Czech language test. See? It's doable, even if you don't have the time (or money) for a specialized prep... Show more

Have you ever wondered how some people speak like seven languages? Maybe you even have a friend who starts ordering food in the local language within three days of your vacation.  Yep, people like that exist—and you could be one of them. In this guide, we’ll introduce and explain the most common Czech sentence patterns. Learning Czech has never been this easy! You probably know that Czech might be a little tricky to learn (All the conjugation and declension! Lawd!) and that sentence patterns in English and Czech have pretty much nothing in common. Let's make things easy and forget about lengthy grammar explanations. By simply memorizing the most common Czech sentence structures and patterns, you’ll be able to create dozens of... Show more

You asked, so we provided—easy-to-follow instructions on how to set up your electronic devices to write in Czech! We’ll also give you a few excellent tips on how to use this keyboard, as well as some online and app alternatives if you prefer not to set up a Czech keyboard. Table of Contents Why it’s Important to Learn to Type in Czech Setting up Your Computer and Mobile Devices for Czech How to Activate an Onscreen Keyboard on Your Computer How to Change the Language Settings to Czech on Your Computer Activating the Czech Keyboard on Your Mobile Phone and Tablet How to Practice Typing Czech 1. Why it’s Important to Learn to Type in Czech Learning a new language is made so much easier when you’re able to read and... Show more

Verbs are considered the most important part of speech when learning any new language. They describe every single mental and physical activity we do, from the moment we wake up in the morning to falling asleep at night. Even sleeping is full of verbs: you sleep, you breathe, you relax, you dream, you toss and turn, you snore… okay, maybe you snore!  The word ‘verb’ comes from the Latin for ‘word’ - your first indication that it's pretty important. In elementary terms: these are the ‘doing’ words and they exist in every language. Verbs are essential in communication and no sentence can exist without one. When learning to speak Czech, the verbs you know will be your building blocks to make sentences. Whether you’re commenting on the... Show more

Do you remember the moment you fell in love with languages? Do you desire to learn or advance in Czech quickly and effectively? Then you need a Czech tutor. A common question that first-time language-learners ask is "Where do I begin?" The answer? Guidance. For native English-speakers who want to learn Asian languages, for example, timelines provided by the U.S. Foreign Service Institute can appear discouraging. However, defeating these odds is not unheard of. If you want to beat the odds yourself, one of the best learning options is a subscription to Premium PLUS from Innovative Language. As an active Premium PLUS member of JapanesePod101.com and KoreanClass101.com myself, I have an enjoyable experience learning at an accelerated... Show more

Do you know your left from your right in Czech? Asking for directions can mean the difference between a heavenly day on the beach and a horrible day on your feet, hot and bothered and wondering how to even get back to the hotel. Believe me - I know! On my earlier travels, I didn’t even know simple terms like ‘go straight ahead’ or ‘go west,’ and I was always too shy to ask locals for directions. It wasn’t my ego, but rather the language barrier that held me back. I've ended up in some pretty dodgy situations for my lack of directional word skills. This never needs to happen! When traveling in , you should step out in confidence, ready to work your Czech magic and have a full day of exploring. It’s about knowing a few basic phrases and... Show more

What is the most defining moment you will face this year? From memories that you immortalize in a million photographs, to days you never wish to remember, one thing's for certain: big life events change you. The great poet, Bukowski, said, "We are here to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well, that death will tremble to take us." The older I get, the more I agree with him! Talking about significant events in our lives is part of every person's journey, regardless of creed or culture. If you're planning to stay in for more than a quick visit, you're sure to need at least a few 'life events' phrases that you can use. After all, many of these are shared experiences, and it's generally expected that we will show up with good manners... Show more