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Archive for the 'Tips & Techniques' Category

How Long Does it Take to Learn Czech?

Learning a new language is kind of like losing or gaining weight: we want to see results ASAP. Even better—we want to see results now. Yesterday was too late. That, my dear friend, won't happen. Not even if you pull three all-nighters in a row in an attempt to learn 1000 new words in three days. Not even if you refuse to speak other languages and expose yourself to an ungodly amount of Czech TV and YouTube videos. So how long does it take to learn Czech? Let me put it this way: It depends on what your goal is. Duh, obvi, right? Do you want to be able to order the right food on the menu or ask about specific ingredients? (Very important if you have food allergies or an intolerance...or if you really, REALLY can't stand... Show more

You Better Mean Business: Czech Business Phrases

We all know life isn't just work; relationships matter and love conquers all. However, your career is one of the most important parts of your life (and it also takes up a big chunk of your time on Earth).  That's why it's beneficial to find a career that fulfills you and makes you feel accomplished…or at least pays well and doesn't kill you on the inside. And, of course, you might want or need to start a career in another country. If you want to get a job or start your own business in the Czech Republic (yay!), you should work on learning some common Czech business phrases and vocabulary. Every successful entrepreneur will tell you that your language gives away a lot about your personality and approach, and by choosing the right... Show more

Learn Czech: YouTube Channels to Boost Your Language Skills

What's the number-one thing that will make learning Czech entertaining, help you boost your vocabulary, keep you company, and always be there for you? YouTube! When you learn Czech, YouTube videos in or about the language will be immensely helpful to you. Here's a little background story to show you the power of YouTube:  When I first discovered this marvelous world of videos (back in 2007 or so), I decided I had to speak English well enough to understand what was going on in makeup tutorials (this was WAY before influencers were a real thing, guys!). Lo and behold, here I am. Don’t underestimate the power of social media and technology. Thanks to specialized channels, you can learn to speak Czech with YouTube. If you're busy,... Show more

How Hard is it to Learn Czech?

Let's debunk this myth about Slavic languages being incredibly hard and almost impossible for English-speakers to learn. Oh, please.  How hard is it to learn Czech? Not at all. Sure, there's going to be a lot of new things—things that seemingly make no sense, things you'll hate, and things that will make your tongue twist. However, Czech isn't that hard, complicated, or nasty. It's just different from English. Learning another language is always an exciting process. Yup, it’s hard at the beginning (beginnings are hard whether you're learning Czech, training for your first half-marathon, or learning how to produce an edible dinner without setting your kitchen on fire). But once you turn the corner, things get easier and you start... Show more

The 10 Most Common Mistakes in Czech to Avoid

Mistakes are annoying, and no matter how often you tell yourself that it's okay to make them, they still suck. I get it, friend, I've been there. I'm a professional translator, and after years of living in a bilingual environment, I still have to pause from time to time and make sure I really want to say "kitchen," not "chicken." I ask my American boyfriend for help and clarification all the time. Also, just this morning, I read a Facebook post from Czech Television about a commemorative PLAGUE (instead of "plaque"). In this article, we’ll be covering typical Czech mistakes that English-speakers make. The Czech language, like all other languages, has its quirks and surprises that might catch you off-guard or flat out confuse the... Show more

The 10 Most Common Czech Questions and Answers

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

How to Nail Your CCE Czech Language Exam

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

Czech Keyboard: How to Install and Type in Czech

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

Secret Revealed: The Best Way to Learn a Language on Your Own

Can You Really Learn Czech Alone? Learning a language on your own or without traditional classroom instruction may seem quite daunting at first. What if you run into questions? How do you stay motivated and on track to achieving goals? Don’t worry, not only is it possible to learn Czech or any language without traditional classroom instruction: CzechClass101 has created the world’s most advanced and extensive online language learning system. Not only is CzechClass101 specifically designed to help you with learning a language on your own, it’s actually faster, more convenient, and less expensive than traditional classroom options! Let’s look at some of the benefits of learning Czech or any language alone. Also, don't forget to... Show more

Language Learning Tips: How to Avoid Awkward Silences

Yes, even beginners can quickly learn conversational Czech well enough to carry on real conversations with native speakers. Of course, beginners won’t be able to carry a conversation the same way they could in their native language. But, just knowing a few tips like which questions to ask to keep a conversation going are all you need to speak and interact with real native speakers! But before we get to specific suggestions, let’s first take a closer look at how having real Czech conversations is so vital to your mastery of the language. Learning to Carry a Conversation is Vital to Mastery of Any Language Communicating with other people is the very point of language and conversation is almost second nature in our native tongue. For... Show more