Undergraduate Program in Central European Studies CERGE-EI and the School of Humanities at Charles University Address: Politických vězňů 7, 110 00 Praha 1 Tel. : +420 224 005 201, +420 224 005 133, Fax : +420 224 005 225 E-mail: [email protected] Web: http://www.cerge-ei.cz/abroad Elementary Czech Language Lecturer: Silvie Převrátilová E-mail: [email protected] OUTLINE OF THE COURSE: The course targets students that are staying in the Czech Republic for a limited period of time and need to cover the basis of the language in order to communicate in everyday situations. The ultimate aim is to provide the students with basic skills, grammar and vocabulary to deal with the life in the Czech Republic, to give them an idea of the Czech language system as well as Czech culture. The instruction uses communicational method of teaching: the material is based on situations the students face, not grammatical overview of the language, with emphasis on both receptive and productive language skills (reading, listening, speaking and writing). Grammar is used functionally, as a tool to reach communicational competencies but not the core purpose of the learning process. GRADING POLICY: Students are mainly graded on the basis of their classroom performance and the final exam. There will also be a mid-term test. Course work 40 % (attendance, homework, class participation, two mini-tests) Mid-term test 20% Final Exam 40% REQUIRED READINGS: The textbook we will use is the latest version Czech Express by Lida Hola. Each unit consists of dialogues and texts where the communicational situation is introduced, listening and comprehension activities, practice of grammar that is needed for successful handling of the situation. Students are given plenty of chances to practice the language in speaking communicational activities. In every lesson, homework will be assigned so that the students can practice their language skills and new grammar. Orientation Week: 1. Introduction, Pronunciation, Formal vs. Informal Dialogue 2. Dialogues, Present tense: to be, to do, Numbers 0 - 10 3. Restaurace, Supermarket, numbers 10 - 100 4. Restaurace, Dialogues, Accusative, Field Trip - Class ends at 12:15!!! 5. Verbs – Class starts at 9:45! Week 1: 1. Orientace - Directions 2. Orientace - Field Trip Week 2: 1. Orientace -Verbs 2. Pošta Week 3: 1. Quiz 1, Family - intro, Possessive pronouns 2. Family cont., Adjectives, gender, verbs - ovat Week 4: 1. Family Accusative 2. Likes and dislikes, Summary: Verbs Week 5: 1. Verbs and time 2. Verbs - consolidation Week 6: 1. Review 2. MIDTERM TEST Week 7: 1. When do we meet? Dialogue, Modal Verbs 2. Making plans to meet Week 8: 1. Famous people 2. Past tense Week 9: 1. Past tense cont. 2. Quiz 2, Where were you? Prepositions of location Week 10: 1. Life in Prague A letter 2. Grammar Review Week 11: 1. Oral Review 2. Final Written Test Week 12: FINAL ORAL EXAM RECOMMENDED READINGS: Lida Hola: Czech Grammar in a Nutshell .