Czech Language Exams for Expats Will Be More Difficult

After six years of consideration, the Czech Ministry of Education has decided to make Czech language exams more difficult for expats interested in getting a permanent residence permit. This means that instead of passing a level A1 language exam expats will have to prove their knowledge of the Czech language at level A2.

From Level A1 to Level A2

Currently, applicants for a permanent residence permit have to pass a level A1 Czech language exam that consists of the four twenty-minute parts, of which three are written and one is conversational. This is, according to the Czech Ministry of the Interior, insufficient as it only requires expats to know the very basics of the language. In order to motivate them to learn to speak Czech better and integrate into the Czech society, the Minister of Education Robert Plaga will propose a tighter version of the Czech language exams.

 

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According to the Ministry of the Interior’s spokeswoman Hana Malá, in the whole European Union, it is only the Czech Republic and France that require expats to know the official language only at a level A1. The rest of EU member states require expats to pass language exams on higher levels, which is another argument for making these exams more difficult. Up until now, foreigners were required to compose simple sentences or write a short text – for example a job application, etc. If the exams are indeed made more difficult, applicants for a permanent residence permit will be required to prove they understand the main idea of simple texts presented to them and write such text themselves.

The exams themselves would be similar to Czech graduation exams – participants won’t be allowed to use smartphones, dictionaries, copy answers of the other participants and questions will be drawn. After passing the exam, successful participants will receive a certificate. Those unsuccessful will have to repeat both parts of the exam regardless of which part they actually failed. However, it would be possible to undergo the exam only three times per year and only the first attempt will be free. Another news is that the system will be anonymized.

Taking an exam
More difficult language exams for foreigners should be supposedly introduced within two years.

Special Language Courses

Making these exams more difficult, however, requires providing appropriate language courses. Such courses already take place in Integration Centres which are available in every Administrative Region (Kraj) and are financed by the state. According to the Minister of Education, it’s mainly the quality of the courses that matters in this case.

 

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According to the Director of the Association for Integration (Sdružení pro integraci a migraci) Magda Faltová, more difficult language exams would cause problems particularly to foreigners from non-Slavic nations, whose national languages are completely different from Czech, for example people from Vietnam. She argues that if one lives in a foreign country and has to go to work for several days of the week and possibly also take care of children or do other duties, that person won’t have enough time to participate in special courses. According to Mrs. Faltová, there is also no sufficient analysis outlining the pros and cons of such courses.

Considering that these courses will be supposedly introduced within two years, a way of avoiding the obligation to undergo them is to apply for a permanent residence permit as soon as possible.

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Source of the information: Novinky.cz and Aktuálně.cz
Source of the image: Pexels.com

Anna Minjaríková

Hello, readers! My job is to provide you with some interesting tips and useful information about all the things Czech. ♫ I'll be there for you! ♫

15 thoughts on “Czech Language Exams for Expats Will Be More Difficult

    1. Dobrý den,

      tyto informace bohužel zatím nebyly zveřejněny. Jakmile se něco nového dozvíme, budeme vás prostřednictvím článku na tomto blogu informovat.

      S pozdravem

      Anna

  1. Hello,
    I have question regarding permanent residence. I have finished here in Czech R. my ph.d studies, and I have got ph.d degree here. My studies was on Czech language. Do I need to pass czech course for permanent residence?
    Thank you

    1. Hello Bojana,

      so far it seems that unless you have a certificate confirming the level of your knowledge of the Czech language, you would still need to undergo the courses. However, there still isn’t enough information on this so anything is possible. Once we know more, we’ll write a new article containing all the necessary information on the topic.

      Kind regards,

      Anna

    1. Hi Varsha,

      This hasn’t yet been revealed. It’s still in the process. We’ll keep you informed if something changes, though.

      Kind regards,

      Anna

  2. Dzień Dobry 🌞 Good Day & Hello dear Sir/Madam, I want to live and work in Czech Republic. I am a Likar (medical doctor) from Dhaka Bangladesh. Soon after arrival, I will need a job for a living and a residence or hostel. Would you please help me out? This message was sent from:

    1. Hello,

      we cannot help you with finding a job in the Czech Republic, because this is not one of our services, however, we can help you with immigration issues and accommodation. Feel free to check out our website and let us know.

      Kind regards,

      Anna

  3. I am a employment card holder. I lived in czech Republic 1.5 years. How many years after I elegeble for language test.

    1. Hi Tarek,

      Unfortunately, this information is not yet available, however, I suppose it is tied to the permanent residence. Once you can apply for a permanent residence permit, you will also need to undergo these exams. You should, therefore, undergo them at the approximately same time as you apply for the residence permit. We’ll keep you posted on this blog.

      Kind regards,

      Anna

  4. Hello Anna,
    I noticed there is no mention of the fact that expats who are older than 60 years of age who wish to receive permanent residency do not have to undergo these language exams.
    Please be sure that this information is also supplied in subsequent blog posts.

    1. Hello Dwight,

      Thank you very much for notifying me about this! I’ll keep that in mind when writing about these exams in the future, when more information is available too.

      Kind regards,

      Anna

    2. We are 60 and 58 could you email the section that pertains to what you posted above please.

  5. Hello, who will ultimately decide to raise the exam difficulty? As far as I heard regarding the exam, the Ministry of Education has made its decision to make the exam more difficult, but does that decision have to be approved in the Czech parliament?

    Thanks

    1. Hi Merdene,

      Yes, the process is a bit more complicated so, fortunately, it is not only up to the Ministry of Education to decide this. Will keep you posted once we know more.

      Kind regards,

      Anna

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