What we will focus on ↓
Czech for Foreigners
We will work with the materials you already have, or we will choose what the best option for you is, depending on your need and purpose. Apart from grammar and writing, we may focus also on two different registers of Czech - the spoken one and the written one. We will try to get you where you need to be as fast as possible!
Literature
We will look at literary genres, how to recognize them, what their history and the main authors are. We will discuss some texts from a closer view and you will be analyzing them - I will give you feedback how you would do at a graduation exam.
Grammar
We will learn how to diagram sentences: subject, predicate, object, types of sentence structure, main and subordinate clauses, word classes and forms. We will find out how orthography plays into all this. We will practice grammar analysis till you are sure you can do it on your own!
Writing
We will look at various genres, how to meet the assignment, how to structure your text, what kind of vocabulary is expected and what to be aware about. You will try to write your own text, I will correct it and then we will discuss what and how to improve it.
What we will focus on ↓
Grammar
We will put all English tenses into one simple chart from which it will be clear which ones need more attention and which ones are not used frequently and why. Similarly, we will tackle principles behind the usage of the articles. Our focus will depend on your need and context. Grammar is fun!
Speaking
If you need to strengthen your speaking skills, be it conversation or presentation, you are at the right place! Conversation or role play will be an important part of every lesson. I will be giving you feedback and correct you with the sensitivity to what level you are at and how confident you feel.
Vocabulary
Vocabulary focus will depend on your purpose and context - business English, technical terms, accounting, graduation exam, phrasal verbs for CAE, just anything. To remember a new word, a person needs to encounter it roughly eight times - we will find out what your opportunities are to encounter it also outside of our classes.
Writing
Writing depends on whether you need to use English formally, or mainly in conversation. If you are preparing for an exam, we will practice writing texts as required by the particular exam. If you need to write emails or anything else, I will give you ample feedback until you are happy with the result.
What we will focus on ↓
Learning to read
We will look at the peculiarities of Hebrew alphabet, we will see that there is certain logic to the vowel changes, and we will get acquainted with “nikkud” – graphical vocalization of the vowels. We will start reading sounds and syllables, and if you are already comfortable, we will try to increase fluency. If you feel fluent enough, we will give more space to grammar and translation.
Grammar
There are many grammar software programs that will parse Hebrew for you. Before we work with those, we will have an overview of basic grammar concepts and peculiarities, making them connected to the language/s you already know. We will look at the differences in the interpretation of certain tenses and phrases in prose and in poetry. We will have fun.
Vocabulary
This is the most easily accessible area for a newcomer, but it never stops being interesting even for an advanced learner. We will have a look at various meanings that the words can have in different contexts, and sometimes also what their equivalents in other Ancient Near East languages would mean.
Translation
This is probably your ultimate goal and purpose, so we will start working on translating texts as soon as possible. We will be working on both easier and more difficult passages and on any passages that you will desire.
What we will focus on ↓
Learning to read
Greek has some overlap with the Russian alphabet, so if you are familiar with that you are already on your way. Even if you are a beginner, you will likely find reading it quite straightforward, because Greek is mostly read the way it is written, i.e., one letter corresponds to one sound - unlike in English.
Grammar
If you are a speaker of a case-based language, this is already a win for you. If you are not, Greek grammar is interesting especially for its syntax. We will see that although Greek has a more or less free word order unlike, e.g., English, the word endings indicate quite precisely where a word belongs in a sentence. From there it is an exciting discovery and unfolding of meaning.
Vocabulary
This is the most easily accessible area for a newcomer, but it never stops being interesting even for an advanced learner. Many Greek words sound familiar to Indo-European language speakers but sometimes the meaning has quite shifted. For those of you who are interested, we might inquire into the Septuagint and the peculiarities of its translation from Hebrew.
Translation
This is probably your ultimate goal and purpose, so we will start working on translating texts as soon as possible. We will be working on both easier and more difficult passages and on any passages that you will desire.