The Czech language program is currently on hold.
Why Study Czech?
Czech is the language spoken in the Czech Republic (formerly Czechoslovakia: Czech and Slovak are different languages, although they are very close to one another). There are approximately 10 million native speakers of Czech world-wide, and it is believed that Chicago — after Prague — has the second-largest population of Czech speakers of any city. In addition to being a widespread spoken language Czech also grants students the opportunity to explore a culture and country that is very much alive and prospering. As one of the fastest growing economies in Europe, learning Czech can open up job opportunities in various industries including finance, engineering, and real estate. According to the latest estimates, there are anywhere from 40,000 to 100,000 Americans living and working in the Czech Republic.
Czech Language @ UW-Madison
GNS offers 4 semesters of instruction in Czech language on a 2-year rotating basis. Czech language instruction beyond the fourth semester may be arranged through directed studies. All of our language courses focus on skill development in speaking, listening, reading, and writing, and are taught in an interactive and communicative manner.
Heritage speakers of Czech are encouraged to enroll, although no prior knowledge of Czech or another Slavic language is required for enrollment in the introductory course. Our program is designed with instruction for everyone from beginners with no experience to graduate students looking to gain knowledge of another Slavic language.
Three literature and culture courses– Lit Trans 208: The Writings of Václav Havel, Slavic 254: Introduction to Central Europe (The Culture of Dissent in Czechoslovakia, Poland, and Yugoslavia), and Lit Trans 207: Slavic Science Fiction in Literature and Film– are also offered on a regular basis. To hear from alumni who had the opportunity to study Czech at UW-Madison, head to the profiles of Lisa and Storm K.
1st Semester Czech Available Fall 2020
Although it is not possible to major in Czech, it can be taken to complete the Universities language requirement and/or be taken to count towards the East Central European Languages, Literature, and Cultures Certificate.
Study Abroad in Prague
UW-Madison has several sponsored study-abroad programs in Prague.
Student Voices
Czech needs you!
The teaching of Czech language, literature, and culture at UW-Madison is supported in part by donations to the Czech Fund. For more information about supporting Czech, and the Czech Language and Culture program please contact Professor David Danaher.
Additional RESOURCES FOR CZECH
On-line Czech alphabet and sounds tutorial –http://gns.wisc.edu/czech-sounds-tutorial/
Outline of Czech grammar –http://cokdybysme.net/outlineczgramm.html
News and culture blog about the Czech Republic –http://czechrepublicinthenews.tumblr.com
Website of the International Association of Teachers of Czech –http://czechlanguageassociation.tumblr.com