Czech might not be the easiest or the most practical language to learn, but the harsh truth still stands: learning the language of the society you live in is of the utmost importance for successful integration. Photo credit: Casadei Graphics
When working with an international crowd during office hours, one does not need Czech, but going out on the town, shopping, visiting a doctor, taking part in public life and making friends requires that one learn some Czech.
Many foreigners do reach a conversational level sooner or later; the important thing is to keep on trying, even though it sometimes seems that the improvement is coming too slowly. You might end up being in Brno for years, in which case even slow improvement leads to a perceptible result over several months. Don’t be the guy or gal who gets stuck on “jedno pivo, prosím” for the next five years of your life.
You can start by reading Brno Expat Centre’s infosheet Language schools and courses to find a place to start learning.
Some workplaces offer language courses for their employees. Ask your boss if there is such an option at your company. Or you can take advantage of free Czech lessons organized at the Centre for Integration of Foreigners.
There are also plenty of language schools offering various Czech courses: short and intensive; semester-long and regular; beginner or advanced; group or individual. A group semester-long course costs somewhere around three to four thousand Czech crowns. In addition to language courses in the classroom, you can join a language study group to practice your skills, or try tandem language learning. Check all these options and more in the infosheet Language schools and courses.
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