Language teaching and learning strategies for understanding and communication

Language teaching in the Czech Republic

Czech Republic

Czech Republic already offers a lot of foreign languages to children in school. Children start in Grade 4 with English, and in Grade 7 they begin to learn a second language: German or Russian, depending on the region. The Ministry of Education now hopes to implement early English teaching in Grade 3 (although in many schools, children are introduced to English in Kindergarten or Grades 1 and 2) and a second language in Grade 6, with the possibility of choosing a third language at the secondary level (Russian, German, Polish, Slovakian, French, Italian, Latin or Spanish). Diversity of languages, respect and interest for minorities and neighbouring countries, and a cultural component in language teaching, are some of the main directions the country wants to take in the field of language teaching.
At the moment, we can enjoy many good experiences in schools with early English teaching (Kindergarten, grades 1 and 2) and a new manual edited in 1997 is used to teach Russian at the secondary level (it includes a cultural component and is adapted to the current political situation).

Language programs are proposed to schools and regional educational representatives, and are chosen (which language) and implemented by the schools according to their geographical situation and/or the will of the population. The choice for one language could be made according to a future imperative, to help children to better communicate with the world (English, German or Russian for example). Other languages are offered because of the presence of a minority within the country or a common border with citizens speaking this language (Polish, Slovakian, German, etc.).
In some regions, programs are run in collaboration with the community and/or parents.

Because of its geographical situation in the middle of Europe, surrounded by many other countries and languages, the Czech Republic has a historical interest for teaching languages. Over the periods, many different languages have been taught (German, Russian, French, Polish, Slovakian, English, Spanish, Italian, Latin, etc.). Its political situation also brings the Czech Republic to think of adapting its curriculum in terms of languages that better fit the demands of the European Union the country hopes to join soon.
Improving the quality of language programs and the diversity of languages offered is one of the main goals of the Ministry of Education. In turn, this will help its citizens better adapt to the XXIst Century.

Ministry of Education,
Czech Republic
Karmelitska 7 Praha 1 CR
Mr Pavel Cink, International Relations;
cink@msmt.cz
Or Ms. Jaroslava Delisová, Basic Education,
Tel : 00 420 2/ 661 06 525;
delisov@msmt.cz

On-going