CJQJPZ03 Language Preparation from Czech for Foreigners: Beginners 1 - phonetics

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2025
Extent and Intensity
0/1/0. 1 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Olha Mandrys (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
PhDr. Eva Rusínová
Division of Czech for Foreigners – Department of Czech Language – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Bc. Petr Šipka
Supplier department: Division of Czech for Foreigners – Department of Czech Language – Faculty of Arts
Prerequisites
SOUHLAS
Applicants enrol in courses of Czech for foreigners via an application form submitted at the Department of Czech for Foreigners (not via the MU Information System).
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
Abstract
The course content is based on the level of Czech language proficiency determined by the entrance test (i.e. A0).
The entrance test takes place on the first day of the semester (Department of Czech for Foreigners, Arna Nováka 1, building D, 4th floor).

The aim of the course is to acquire correct Czech pronunciation:
- introducing students (absolute beginners) to the phonetic characteristics of the Czech phonological system, with an emphasis on achieving fluent and intelligible pronunciation in both spoken and read discourse
- practising and mastering these phonetic features in order to ensure clear and communicatively effective speech and reading.

Entry level of Czech language proficiency: A0 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
Exit level of Czech language proficiency: A0/A1 or A1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
Learning outcomes
The course participant is introduced to the phonetic characteristics of the Czech phonological system, with particular emphasis on achieving fluent and comprehensible pronunciation in both spoken and read discourse.
It is expected that the course participant will demonstrate sufficient fluency and intelligibility in the production of simple sentences to enable effective communication in a range of communicative contexts.
Key topics
  • introduction to the Czech alphabet and phonological system
  • the vowel system and diphthongs
  • the consonant system
  • word stress in Czech
  • specific consonant–vowel combinations (di, ti, ni, dě, tě, ně, bě, pě, vě, mě, fě)
  • training in the articulation of the sound "ř"
  • pronunciation practice of individual sounds (reading short texts, rhymes, poems, and tongue-twisters)
  • practising vowel length and distinguishing it from word stress
Study resources and literature
    recommended literature
  • ČEJKA, Mirek. Cvičení z českého jazyka. Brno: Masarykova univerzita, 1993. ISBN 8021000090. info
  • REŠKOVÁ, Ivana and Magdalena PINTAROVÁ. Communicative Czech (Elementary Czech) (Communicative Czech). Nové opravené vydání. PhDr. Ivana Rešková, 2007, 262 pp. ISBN 80-239-6575-1. URL info
  • PALKOVÁ, Zdena and Jitka VEROŇKOVÁ. Výslovnost spisovné češtiny : cvičení pro cizince. Vydání první. Praha: Filozofická fakulta Univerzity Karlovy, 2022, 123 stran. ISBN 9788076710757. info
  • VEROŇKOVÁ, Jitka. Souhrnná a tematická cvičení : k nácviku výslovnosti a mluvené češtiny pro cizince. Vydání první. Praha: Filozofická fakulta Univerzity Karlovy, 2022, 183 stran. ISBN 9788076710771. info
Approaches, practices, and methods used in teaching
Tuition conducted by the teacher (theoretical preparation), reading comprehension, listening comprehension, dialogue, independent speech, individual work, pair work and team work, homework, additional exercises, work with the textbook and exercises for a given level of knowledge of the Czech language, pronunciation exercises, language games, continuous assessment, interpretation of the read and heard text.
Method of verifying learning outcomes and course completion requirements
The course is completed with a final oral examination.
Course participant must have 75 % active class attendance to be allowed to take the final examination.
Late arrival to in-person classes or joining an online class late also counts as an absence. Only absence due to illness (backed up by a medical confirmation) does not count.
Active attendance means readiness for teaching (completed homework, having a textbook and study materials, prepared presentation, etc.) and fulfillment of tasks set by the teacher.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
The course is taught every week.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/autumn2025/CJQJPZ03