META offers Czech language courses at various levels and in different formats for children and students who have moved from abroad. The country of origin and the type of residence in the Czech Republic do not matter.
Czech Language Courses
- Czech courses for foreigners in Prague
- Czech exams for permanent residence and for Czech citizenship
Czech courses for foreigners in Prague
In this section, you will learn which organisations and schools organise Czech language courses. You will find an overview of different types of courses, usually divided by language level and the age of learners, along with some useful contacts. You will also find information on whom to contact if you want to learn professional Czech terminology or study at a Czech university in the Czech language.
To fully participate in life in Prague, it is important to know Czech. Friends, relatives, or paid interpreters may help you communicate at the beginning, but from a long-term perspective, learning Czech yourself is much more beneficial. It will help you better understand the people around you, avoid misunderstandings, and significantly expand your job opportunities, allowing you to make full use of your skills and qualifications.
Are you new in Prague and do not yet speak Czech well?
Are you preparing for university studies?
Are you new in Prague and do not yet speak Czech well?
In Prague, you can attend Czech language courses offered by various providers – the Integration Centre Prague, city districts, non-governmental non-profit organisations (NGOs), language schools, and other institutions.
The Integration Centre Prague and NGOs working with migrants have extensive experience in providing Czech language courses for foreigners. Courses are available for both children and adults. Some courses are free of charge, while others are paid. You can usually choose from several language levels – beginner, intermediate, and advanced. To get an overview of available courses, see the basic list below. For detailed information on currently open courses, contact the relevant organisation directly.
Please note that courses (especially those that are free of charge) fill up very quickly, so make sure to register for your chosen course in time. We also recommend following the organisations’ Facebook pages, where you can find up-to-date information, for example about newly available places in Czech language courses.
Please note that free courses tend to fill up very quickly, so timely registration is essential.
Integration Centre Prague (ICP)
The ICP offers Czech language courses for adults. Czech language courses are primarily intended for third-country nationals who have a legal stay in the territory of the Czech Republic for a period exceeding 90 days. None of the courses are meant for applicants for international protection. The ICP also provides Czech language courses for children.
Courses organised by the ICP take place in various places in Prague. For an up-to-date list of local courses, visit the ICP website.
Contact:
Integrační centrum Praha, o. p. s.
Žitná 1574/51, 110 00 Prague 1
Tel: +420 252 543 846
Email: edu@icpraha.com
ICP’s website
ICP onFacebook
Non-Governmental Non-Profit Organisations
Centre for the Integration of Foreigners
The Centre for the Integration of Foreigners provides for example these courses:
Low-threshold Czech language courses for foreigners – basic level;
Preparation courses for the permanent residence and citizenship exams;
Family Czech language courses (for parents and children) and Czech courses for parents of school-age children;
Intensive Czech language courses for young people;
Intensive Czech language courses (4-week duration);
Semester-long Czech language courses – basic and advanced levels.
Contact:
Pernerova 10/32, Prague 8, 180 00
courses also take place in Prague 3, Prague 4, Prague 13, and online
Tel: +420 735 173 738
Email: npk@cicpraha.org
Courses on the website
CIC on Facebook
Nová škola, o. p. s. – the ROZLETY Programme (“Starting to Fly”)
Nová škola offers additional lessons for primary and secondary school students. Lessons take place at least three times a week in the afternoon. The schedule is arranged according to students’ needs and classroom capacity. One lesson lasts 60 minutes, and the overall duration of the course is not fixed. Children can join at any time during the school year.
The aim of these lessons is to improve children’s academic success. Groups are small and include both foreign and Czech children. Nová škola provides extra lessons in Czech as well as mathematics and English; other subjects can be arranged if needed.
Lessons are free of charge.
Contact:
Nová škola, o. p. s.
Křižíkova 344/6, Prague 8 – Karlín, 186 00 (at the premises of Nová škola or by individual arrangement)
Email: novaskola@novaskolaops.cz
Links:
- Nová škola, o. p. s. (Czech)
- Portal for school assistants and teachers’ assistants (Czech)
- Readers’ clubs (Czech)
Counselling Centre for Integration / Czech In Centre
The Counselling Centre for Integration offers Czech language courses for adults at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. Participants can join even after the semester has started, with the price adjusted accordingly.
The Centre also provides courses for children at various levels. The levels are as follows: young school children – advanced, young school children – beginners/intermediate, older school children – advanced, older school children – beginners/intermediate. Children may also join after the semester has started, with adjusted fees.
In addition, the Centre offers preparatory courses for permanent residence and citizenship exams, individual lessons for children and adults, and intensive courses for children (and adults upon interest).
Contact:
Opletalova 6, entry from the Opletalka passage, Prague 1, 110 00
Tel: +420 734 154 229
Email: praha@p-p-i.cz
Czech In Center’s website, Counselling Centre’s website
Counselling Centre for Integration on Facebook
InBaze
InBaze offers courses for adults at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. It is possible to join the course even after the semester has started. The price is then calculated accordingly.
InBaze also offers courses for children. They can choose from the following levels: young school children – advanced, young school children – beginner/intermediate, older school children – advanced, older school children – beginner/intermediate. It is possible to join the course even after the semester has started. The price is then calculated accordingly.
Preparatory courses for permanent residence and citizenship exams are offered as well, along with individual lessons and intensive courses.
Contact:
InBáze
Legerova 50, 120 00 Prague 2
Tel: 739 037 353
Email: info@inbaze.cz
InBaze’s website
InBaze of Facebook
META
Contact:
META
Žerotínova 1124/35, 130 00 Praha 3, Žižkov
Tel: 773 304 534
Email: cjkurzy@meta-ops.cz, info@meta-ops.cz
META’s website, Czech language courses
META on Facebook
Language Schools
Some language schools also offer Czech language courses for foreigners. The City of Prague is the founder of the Language School of the Capital City of Prague with Accreditation for State Language Examination. To find out more about their Czech courses, see their website.
There are many language schools in Prague and quite a lot of them offer Czech language courses. Check what they offer as well.
Do you already know the basics of Czech and need to improve? Look for courses for intermediate learners. From time to time, some NGOs offer language courses focused on a specific field (Czech in healthcare, Czech for accountants and economists, Czech for business etc.). Some language schools also offer specialised Czech language courses.
Keep an eye on the activities organised by your city district. A new Czech language course may be available close to your home!
Are you preparing for university studies?
If you want to study at a Czech university, you need a good command of the Czech language. Some universities require foreign nationals to take Czech language exams. The Institute of Language and Preparatory Studies of Charles University in Prague offers a wide range of Czech courses for foreigners. You can choose between intensive one-year or semester-long courses that prepare you to reach the level required for university studies. You will also learn specialised terminology needed for admission exams. You can attend courses based on your field of study (economics, humanities, medicine and natural sciences, technical fields, artistic fields, architecture etc.).
Link:
Information about preparatory courses for university studies is available on the website of the Institute of Language and Preparatory Studies:
Czech Exams for Permanent Residence and for Czech Citizenship
One of the main reasons for learning Czech is the requirement to pass Czech language exams for foreign nationals. These exams are necessary to obtain a permanent residence permit or Czech citizenship. Czech language exams are nationally standardised and can be taken throughout the Czech Republic.
All relevant information about Czech language exams can be found on the official website cestina-pro-cizince.cz. The website is multilingual and provides details about the exams, preparation materials, fees, deadlines, and the application process for permanent residence or Czech citizenship.
At level A2 – the level of the Czech exam for permanent residence – you can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of immediate relevance (e.g. basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). You can communicate in simple and routine tasks that require a direct exchange of information on familiar matters. You can describe aspects of your background, immediate environment, and basic needs in simple terms.
Links:
- Description of level A2 in Czech is available here.
- Information on the language exam for permanent residence is available here.
Czech for state citizenship of the CR
To obtain Czech citizenship, you need to demonstrate Czech language proficiency at level B1 and pass the required exam.
At level B1, you can understand the main points of clear standard Czech texts on familiar topics such as work, study, or leisure. You can handle most situations that may arise while travelling. You can write simple, coherent texts on familiar topics and describe experiences, events, wishes, and ambitions.
In addition to the Czech language exam, you must also pass a test on Czech life and institutions. This test covers: basic information about Czech life and institutions, basic geographical information on the Czech Republic, and basic history and culture of the Czech Republic
Links:
- Description of level B1 is available here.
- Information on the language exam for Czech citizenship is available here
Where to take the exam in Prague
There are four locations in Prague where you can take the Czech language exam:
Charles University, Institute of Language and Preparatory Studies
Study Centre Prague – Albertov
Albertov 7/3a
128 00 Prague 2
Tel: +420 224 918 775
Language School of the City of Prague with Language Exam Rights
Školská 15
116 72 Prague 1
Tel: +420 222 232 235, +420 773 949 159
Charles University, Institute for Language and Preparatory Studies
Study Centre Prague – Hostivař
Weilova 1453/2i
102 00 Prague 10 Hostivař
(building No.8)
Tel. +420 267 215 412
Charles University, Institute for Language and Preparatory Studies
Study Centre Prague – Krystal
José Martího 407/2
162 00 Prague 6
Tel: +420 235 358 557
Last update: 4 March 2025