Education in Prague

If you have the desire and time to take on another degree or finish one, Prague might be a good place for you. Tuition at a state university, such as Charles University, is free for Czechs and foreigners alike. The only catch is that the lectures are probably in Czech.
Charles University (founded in 1348) is a highly esteemed institution and offers many courses, and even several degrees, in English as well.

Several US universities have branches in Prague, including University of New York in Prague, University of Northern Virginia Prague School of Business and the newly-established University of Pittsburgh Executive MBA Program.

Prague’s highly respected film school, FAMU, recently opened up a 3-year master’s degree programme (taught in English) at a fee of 16,800 Euro per academic year. Anglo-American University is a private university offering bachelor’s and master’s degrees, costing about CZK50,000 per semester, with all courses taught in English.

Language courses:

Even if your daily routine doesn’t require you to know much Czech (especially since more and more Czechs are learning English), learning the language can make your transition to your new life in Prague more smooth and comfortable. Pick up a pocket dictionary (slovnik ) and carry it around with you at all times, and soon enough you’ll be able to decode cafe menus, grocery store labels and advertisements on the Metro. Take some lessons or enroll in a class and you’ll be chatting with your neighbourhood butcher in no time. The most important thing is to be consistent and to not be shy with your newly acquired vocabulary: practise as much as possible with your Czech friends and colleagues.

Advertisements for Czech language courses, language schools and private language lessons are posted up all over the city, and the school or course you select will depend entirely on how much you’re willing to pay and how much time you can commit to the course. Generally, the larger, well-advertised schools are also going to have larger class sizes (and larger tuition fees) and may not have the best teacher-student ratio. Ask about Czech language courses or tutors that might be available through your workplace or your child’s school.

If you choose to take private lessons, know that although this method might seem more intensive and effective, before you make an agreement, make sure that the teacher has experience in teaching foreigners and has a structured teaching method to help you reach your specific language goals in the time frame you desire. Just because someone speaks a language fluently, it doesn’t necessarily mean that he or she can teach that language (though this is what many expat English teachers in Prague seem to believe). It might be best to get recommendations of private Czech tutors from other expats.

Language exchanges (also called tandems) are another option, most popular with university students. You can find offers on www.Expats.cz , www.Prague.tv and on flyers in expat hangouts around the city.

If you’re the type who prefers learning online in your own time, you might be interested in trying out www.LiveMocha.com , which offers free (and pay) courses where your submitted work is promptly and effectively reviewed by native speakers.