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Current AffairsGovernment puts forward plan to improve Czechs' language skills
The ability to speak a second language has become a standard requirement if
you want to find a good job in the Czech Republic. English has emerged as
the foreign language in this country, with 90 percent of students opting
for the language. To support that trend, the government has put forward a
new policy entitled "English for Everyone". Launched by Prime
Minister Stanislav Gross, who himself cannot speak English, it does also
aim to improve Czechs' skills in other languages. But, even still, not
everyone welcomes the new plan.
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Czech ScienceMuseum in East Bohemia houses unique Esperanto library
Dear listeners, or shall I say karaj auskultantoj... In case you
haven't recognised the language - it was Esperanto - the most widely
spoken artificial language in the world. The number of active users of
Esperanto is anything between 100,000 and 2 million - and there are quite
of few of them in the Czech Republic. Esperantists here have a great
chance to further their knowledge of the language and its history at a
unique Esperanto library in East Bohemia.
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Business NewsMultilingual workforce places Czechs ahead in 'nearshore' outsourcing
India is losing ground to 'New Europe' as the preferred destination for
Western European companies looking to outsource 'nearshore' services
rather than 'offshore' them. The Czech Republic is holding its own in the
battle for the business. Mark Fernandes has the story.
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Current AffairsLanguage schools under scrutiny
When borders opened in 1989 Czechs took to learning languages with a
vengeance. Foreign books and magazines, the possibility to travel and meet
with foreigners -both here and abroad -fuelled interest in acquiring these
skills. Foreign language schools mushroomed and a vast number of people
offered to teach a foreign language as an additional source of income.
Czech schools, which mostly had Russian teachers on staff, jumped at the
opportunity to employ native English speakers - most of whom were not
qualified to teach but made an impression on parents with their accent and
friendly and liberal approach. Thirteen years on, Czechs are becoming
aware of the need to learn foreign languages properly and acquire some
sort of certificate at the end of the road. But how do you pick the right
school, among so many? The newly established Association of Czech Language
Schools aims to act as a watchdog and guide in this process. Andrea
Krizkova is the associations' chairwoman:
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Current AffairsCzech students seek opportunities to study abroad
Over the weekend Prague played host to the 12th international fair of
languages, culture and education, called Student-Expo-Lingua. Presenting
themselves were schools and agencies that provide services in the sphere
of education. Alena Skodova went there and brings back this report:
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Business NewsCzech workers are better at foreign languages than other nations
Over the past few years, the Czech Republic has attracted record volumes of foreign investment, becoming a leader in central and Eastern Europe in this respect. The main attractions of the country are its strategic geographic location, a generous investment incentive programme, and last but not least, a relatively cheap but highly qualified and skilled labour. But has not cheap and skilled labour become a journalist cliché, especially concerning the much needed language skills, an area heavily neglected by the former Communist regime? More
Current AffairsPotential foreign students flock to Expolingua languages fair
Hundreds of mostly young people interested in studying abroad descended on Prague's Narodni dùm at the weekend, to visit Expolingua 2001, an international fair of languages, culture and education. was there and brings back this report: More
