Programme for the Support of Czech Cultural Heritage Abroad

Programme description

The programme is implemented on the basis of a Czech government resolution. It has two parts: the Czechs Abroad Education Programme and Czech Language and Literature Tuition Programme.

The Compatriot Education Programme sends Czech language teachers to Czech communities abroad. It also organises an annual four-week Czech language course for Czechs living abroad, two-week course in Czech language teaching methodology for Czech teachers abroad and semester stays at Czech universities.

Under the Czech Language and Literature Lectorates Programme, Czech language and literature teachers are seconded to foreign educational institutions.

Programme objectives

The primary goal is to spread and maintain the Czech language and culture beyond the borders of the Czech Republic.

The programme’s target groups

• Teachers of Czech for Czechs living abroad
• Czechs abroad
• Czech language and literature tutors at universities

Pupils and students
Teachers and school staff

Countries Involved

Global

Teachers of Czech for Czechs abroad

The programme sends Czech teachers to Czechs living abroad. In addition to teaching Czech, they promote the Czech language and culture by organising film clubs, exhibitions, theatre performances, sports and other events and activities. They work with authorities representing the Czech Republic or cultural entities promoting the Czech Republic in the country where they have been sent.

Conditions of eligibility for teachers

A Czech community teacher must hold a master’s degree, preferably in Czech.
Experience of teaching Czech at primary school, a conservatory, secondary school or university is preferred, as is experience of teaching Czech as a foreign language.

In which countries can participants teach? (Click to see the table of teacher destinations)

Within Europe, we send teachers to Croatia, Germany, Romania and Serbia. In South America, the countries are Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. Teachers are also posted to the US (Chicago) and Australia (Adelaide), including time in New Zealand (Dunedin and Tauranga).

For how long?

Initially for one school year, with the possibility of a three-year extension and, where justified, for another two years on the basis of a selection procedure. The total duration of this placement may be for up to six years.

How to apply

Follow the advertised vacancies. (Click to see the “Vacancies” section)
Where a selection procedure is advertised, candidates must provide a letter of motivation, a structured CV, proof of education, and/or evidence of language proficiency.
Teachers for Czechs abroad are selected by the Compatriot Affairs Committee (click through to the website of the Ministry of Education). The selection procedure has two rounds: 1st round: a points-based evaluation of questionnaires; 2nd round: interviews of the best-scoring applicants.
Applicants also attach a completed Questionnaire for Candidates for Teachers in Compatriot Communities.
Applicants must have completed their master’s degree at the time of the selection procedure, i.e. they must submit their diploma or other relevant certification showing that they have completed their master’s studies.

What is the pay like?

The Centre for International Cooperation in Education negotiates employment contracts with teachers in Czech communities abroad on the instructions of the Ministry of Education.
The salary and allowances are in accordance with Act No 262/2006, the Labour Code, as amended, relevant implementing regulations, and Government Regulation No 62/1994 on the reimbursement of certain expenses to employees of organisations fully or partly funded from the public purse whose regular workplace is abroad, as amended.
Teachers in Czech communities abroad qualify for the 11th pay grade.
The Centre for International Cooperation in Education also covers the cost of teachers’ travel from the Czech Republic to the place of work and back, as well the expense of transporting their personal belongings there and back. In addition, it covers the costs of acquiring a residence permit, a medical examination and the recommended vaccinations.
Depending on the budget available, it supplies teaching aids and technical equipment to teachers in Czech communities abroad.

Czech language and literature tutors at universities

Besides teaching students about the Czech language, literature, life and institutions, tutors at foreign universities also promote Czech culture and language by organising cultural and educational events. They work with authorities representing the Czech Republic in the country of their assignment, and, where appropriate, with other relevant institutions.

Requirements for tutors

Completed university education (with a master’s or doctoral degree) in the field of Czech language and literature, preferably in combination with the language of the country of their assignment or another world language.*

Advantages:

experience of teaching at university;
experience of teaching Czech as a foreign language;
experience of working with a Summer School of Slavonic Studies, etc.

* Language skills must be evidenced by an internationally recognised certificate / university diploma / state language exam certificate.

Where can participants teach?

At foreign universities that offer their students the opportunity to study Czech language and literature.

Summary of Lecturerships of Czech Language and Literature 2022/23

For how long?

Usually for one academic year. A tutor’s assignment may be extended without a selection procedure for another three years and, where justified, for a further two years after that. The maximum period is thus four or, where justified, six consecutive full academic years

How to apply

New tutors are recruited by the Tutor Assignment Committee of the Programme for the Support of Czech Cultural Heritage Abroad. You are advised to follow the vacancies that are advertised.
The selection procedure has two rounds. In the first round, candidates are selected on the basis of a points-based evaluation of the documents they provided – a questionnaire for candidates (click through to link), a letter of motivation in Czech, structured CV, university diploma, proof of relevant teaching experience, other experience they have reported, and proof of an examination in a foreign language.
Only candidates who have clearly met the above criteria and performed the best in them advance to the second round. These candidates are then invited to an interview with the Tutor Assignment Committee.

What is the salary?

A salary and allowances for increased living costs are paid in accordance with Act No 262/2006, the Labour Code, and Government Regulation No 62/1994.
All tutors qualify for the 11th pay grade.
The salary is adjusted (reduced) according to the scope of the agreed working hours, which depend on the co-financing of the tutor by the host institution.
The cost of tutors’ travel from the Czech Republic to the place of work and back is covered, as well the expense of transporting their personal belongings there and back. In addition, the costs of acquiring a residence permit and of medical examinations and recommended vaccinations are reimbursed.

Czechs abroad

For Czechs abroad, we regularly organise a four-week Czech language course and arrange study stays at Czech public universities. We also hold a Czech language methodology course for teachers who come from Czech communities abroad.

Czechs abroad who are interested in studying Czech, and those who teach Czech abroad.

Events

Four-week Czech language course
- This course is intended for Czechs over the age of 18 who live abroad and want to learn the language of their ancestors or hone their proficiency in it.
- They have the opportunity to immerse themselves in Czech culture and get to know a part of the Czech Republic.
- Teaching takes place under the guidance of experienced teachers, with students grouped according to their knowledge of Czech.
- A wide-ranging extracurricular programme is prepared for course participants (discussions, excursions, lectures, day trips at weekends, etc.).
- At the end of the course, participants receive a certificate.
How much will it cost?
- The course participants are provided with free language lessons, meals and accommodation, and also receive a financial contribution to get to the Czech Republic and back.
- Healthcare costs are covered to the extent stipulated by Act No 326/1999 on the residence of foreign nationals in the Czech Republic or – for those covered by the relevant European regulations – in accordance with applicable European legislation.
When and where does the course take place?

Course dates: 8th of July to 2nd of August 2024 (arrival 7th of July, departure 3rd of August)

How to apply
- Applications can only be submitted through the embassies and other diplomatic missions of the Czech Republic.
- There are two parts to the application:
- the electronic application must be submitted by 15 March
- the application must then be printed out and sent to embassies or consulates general of the Czech Republic in your country
- The original of the application must be delivered to the relevant embassy/consulate general no later than 10 working days after the deadline for the submission of applications.
- Online application is available.
Czech language teaching methodology course
- This course is intended for teachers who come from Czech communities abroad.
- The participants take part in two-week intensive teaching of Czech language methodology with the aim of improving and stabilising the ways in which Czech is taught, especially in Czech communities where no teacher has been posted before.
- The course includes visits to specialist workplaces, sitting in on classes, and trips.
- Participants must be 18 years of age or older.
- They are required to have a good knowledge of the Czech language.
How much will it cost?
- The course participants have all their tuition, meals, accommodation and transportation covered for them.
- They also receive a cash allowance for personal expenses.
- Healthcare costs are covered to the extent stipulated by Act No 326/1999 on the residence of foreign nationals in the Czech Republic, or – for those covered by the relevant European regulations – in accordance with applicable European legislation.
How to apply
- Applications may only be submitted through the embassies and other diplomatic missions of the Czech Republic.
- There are two parts to the application:
  - electronic application must be submitted by 15 March
  - the application must then be printed out and sent to embassies or consulates general of the Czech Republic in your country.
- The original of the application must be delivered to the relevant embassy/consulate general no later than 10 working days after the deadline for the submission of applications.
When and where does the course take place?

Course dates: from 26th of August to 6th of September 2024 (arrival 25th of August and departure 7th of September).
Study visits to Czech public universities
- Study visits to public universities in the Czech Republic are intended for Czechs living abroad.
- They focus on maintaining and expanding knowledge of the Czech language and cultural awareness. Members of Czech communities abroad can study fields such as Czech language and literature, the teaching of Czech language and literature, history, ethnology, art history, and theology.
- At the end, students receive a certificate or confirmation of participation.
Conditions of admission
- Applicants must have a good knowledge of Czech and must have completed secondary school.
- Participants must be aged 18 or older.
How much will it cost?
- Students who are admitted receive a grant and a financial contribution to cover travel costs to the Czech Republic and back. They are entitled to accommodation and meals at the same prices as Czech students.
- Healthcare costs are covered to the extent stipulated by Act No 326/1999 on the residence of foreign nationals in the Czech Republic, or – for those covered by the relevant European regulations – in accordance with applicable European legislation.
For how long?

Participants are admitted for one- or two-semester studies in Czech, usually at the faculty of arts of a university in the Czech Republic.

How to apply to study
- Applications can only be submitted through the embassies and other diplomatic missions of the Czech Republic.
- There are two parts to the application:
  - an electronic application must be submitted by 15 March for a two-semester study visit in the winter and summer semesters (September to June) and a one-semester study visit in the winter semester (September to February), and by 15 August for a one-semester study visit in the summer semester (February to June);
  - the application must then be printed out and sent to embassies or other diplomatic missions – the original of the application must be delivered to the relevant embassy or other mission no later than 10 working days after the deadline for the submission of applications.
- Note: the photo must be in jpg / peg / png / gif format, with a maximum size of 150 x 200 pixels (i.e. approx. 4kb); other attachments may only be in PDF format or with a doc. extension.
- Information on study opportunities in the Czech Republic.

Rozcestník

Programme for the Support of Czech Cultural Heritage Abroad

Programme description

Programme objectives

The programme’s target groups

Countries Involved

Teachers of Czech for Czechs abroad

How to apply

What is the pay like?

News

Where do teachers work in the world?

Czech language and literature tutors at universities

How to apply

What is the salary?

Vacancies

Summary: Lecturerships of Czech Language and Literature

Czechs abroad

Events

Four-week Czech language course

Czech language teaching methodology course

Study visits to Czech public universities

Stories of Czechs in the world

Teachers' Reports

2022/23

2021/22

2020/21

2019

2018

2017

Lecturer's Reports