(in Polish) Praktyczna nauka języków regionu/Słowo w kulturze - czeski A2 3224-SWKCZA2
Czech language classes on the elementary level A2 are aimed at activating the skills of linguistic expression and communication in foreign language as well as to enrich Czech vocabulary. The course is proposed in the form of conversation/discussion on different topics offered for students, pertaining the everyday life (including colloquial speech and other styles not considered by textbooks), cultural events and communication in future jobs according to the profile of a graduate.
The thematic scope of the course comprises new lexis connected with elementary communicative situations as well as cultural events/selected cultural elements of the countries from the relevant language area (cultural events, peculiarities):
1. History of the Czech Language – basic registers of written and
spoken Czech (spisovná čeština, hovorová čeština, obecná
čeština).
2. False Friends – myths, facts, and linguistic pitfalls. Examples and
discussion.
3. Poles about Czechs, Czechs about Poles – mutual perceptions.
Developing sensitivity to myths and stereotypes in class.
4. Czech Mentality – stereotypes and reality regarding social life,
religiosity, and cultural distinctiveness.
5. Eating Well in the Czech Republic – cuisine and gastronomy.
Most common restaurant expressions (revision from A1 level).
6. Drinking Culture in Bohemia and Moravia – how to drink
without getting drunk. Cultural differences.
7. Family and Family Relations – terminology of kinship, domestic
pets.
8. Famous Czechs – outstanding figures in culture and sports.
Reading short biographies in Czech.
9. Czech Inventions – origins of genetics, transfusion medicine, and
contact lenses. Introduction to scientific terminology.
10. Geography of Bohemia and Moravia – mountain ranges and
river valleys: their influence on culture, language, and dialects.
Examples of dialectal diversity in Moravia.
11. History of the Czech National Anthem and Other National
Symbols – heraldic, natural, and other emblems. Interpretation of
the anthem’s lyrics.
12. Tangible UNESCO Heritage in the Czech Republic.
13. Intangible UNESCO Heritage in the Czech Republic.
14. Most Beautiful Cities and Natural Wonders – holiday and
travel destinations in Bohemia and Moravia.
15. At the Doctor’s and the Dentist’s – healthcare services in the
Czech Republic. Similarities and differences; useful hospital
phrases (revision from A1 level); specialist medical terminology.
16. “Take Off Your Shoes” – Czech customs and things you
definitely should not do when visiting someone’s home.
17. Filling in Forms and Applications – working and studying in the
Czech Republic. Forms of address in the workplace (vykání /
tykání).
18. “The Protruding Belly” – do Czechs care too much about
appearances? Dress code and fashion. How to buy clothes in a
shop – typical phrases (revision from A1 level).
19. What May Surprise You – public behaviour and individual
differences. Regional language expressions in Bohemia, Moravia,
and Czech Silesia.
20. “Every Czech is a Musician” (Co Čech, to muzikant) – Czechs
and music. National music creators of the late 19th century, 20th-
century composers. Attempt at singing librettos in Czech.
21. The Czech Anti-Communist Bard – sung poetry of Karel Kryl.
Interpretation of lyrical texts, contemporary continuations and
references.
22. Kitsch or Art? – the Karel Gott phenomenon. Pros and cons
(including Milan Kundera’s essay). Examples of song lyrics.
23. Czech Covers of Deep Purple and Black Sabbath – comparison,
analysis, and interpretation of lyrics.
24. Multiculturalism on the Borderlands – Jaromír Nohavica and
Ewa Farna. Regionalisms in poetic texts.
25. How the Communist Regime Used National Heroes –
cinematography (and language) in the times of propaganda.
Examples of films, including Czech fairy tales.
26. The “New Wave” in Czech Cinema – film excerpts and
discussion with special attention to linguistic devices
(monologues, dialogues).
27. Gems of Czechoslovak Cinematography – the 1960s in the
context of European cinema. Film excerpts – listening
comprehension.
28. Beyond the 1960s – comedies in the bleak period of
Czechoslovak “normalization” (1970s–1980s).
29. The “Czech” Works of Milan Kundera – The Joke, The
Unbearable Lightness of Being (selected excerpts).
30. The “French” Works of Milan Kundera – Immortality.
There are also other topics related to students' interests/proposed by students.
Course is conducted through discussing different topics based on priorly given texts or handouts delivered by the lecturer, working in groups and pairs, individual work (substantially supported by the lecturer).
Training of different language skills will be conducted as follows:
- Speaking: individual monologic utterances related to the topics which were discussed during the semester, dialogs, role-playing-games.
- Listening: different types of texts (dialog, monologue in various communicational situations) and tasks adjusted to the level.
- The use of a language: vocabulary and grammar exercises indicating the degree of proficiency in the course content.
- Writing: an opinion in the written form related to the topics which were discussed during the semester.
Student workload includes:
Classroom participation – 30 hours (1 ECTS)
Preparing for classes – 30 hours (1 ECTS)
Type of course
Mode
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge (upon completing the course, the student will know and understand):
- the complex nature of the Czech language with particular emphasis on the cultural context of the countries in the region [K_W09].
Skills (upon completing the course, the student is able to):
- search for, select, analyse and use necessary information from various sources [K_U01].
- communicate through various channels and communication techniques on basic everyday topics and cultural aspects of countries of the region [K_U07].
- independently prepare a written and oral statement in a foreign language on everyday topics and cultural aspects of the region’s and present the results of their work to the group [K_U08].
- use the Czech language at the A2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) [K_U09].
- plan and organize individual and team work, plan and implement the process of independent learning, including specialist knowledge, after graduation [K_U10].
Social Competences (upon completing the course, the student is prepared to):
- critical assessment of existing knowledge, continuous learning and supplementing acquired knowledge and skills [K_K01]
- effective communication and living in society, including in a culturally diverse society, working in a team, coping with typical professional situations, verifying one's views through factual discussion and evaluating one's knowledge [K_K02].
Assessment criteria
I. The organization of classes:
1) Attendance at all classes, covered by the plan, shall be compulsory.
2) It is not possible to have a resit if the reason of failing the credit was noncompliance with the requirement to participate in them. In such a case a student can be conditionally registered in an successive stage of study and can repeat the failed course.
3) In case of 30 hours in semester, 1 absence without justifying are acceptable. Missed classes must be made up in accordance with the requirements of the lecturer. The requirements are provided by the lecturer during the first class.
II. Assessment criteria:
The following components contribute to the final grade for the language course:
Substantive participation in the class (40%)
Presentation of the topic fixed by the lecturer (60%)
To obtain a passing grade, the student must demonstrate achievements in each of the above categories (a student who receives 0% in any category—i.e., shows no activity in that area—will not pass the course).
Grading scale:
99–100% – 5.0 (excellent)
93–98% – 5.0 (very good)
87–92% – 4.5 (good plus)
77–86% – 4.0 (good)
71–76% – 3.5 (satisfactory plus)
60–70% – 3.0 (satisfactory)
Bibliography
The coursebook: Ana Adamovičová-Darina Ivanovová, - Milan
Hrdlička: Basic Czech II, Praha 2014
A. Karolczuk, I. Kononeko – Polsko-wielojęzyczny słownik
falszywych przyjaciół tłumacza, Warszawa 2022
M. Kundera – Nesmrtelnost, Brno 1993
E. Lotko -Čeština a polština v překladatelské a tlumočnické praxi,
Ostrava 1986
M. Surosz – Ach, te Czeszki, Wołowiec 2022
and others.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: