This CzechClass101 Review is up-to-date as of December 3, 2024.
There are tons of reasons you may want to learn to speak Czech. Perhaps you have friends, family, or even a new love interest who speaks Czech, or maybe you plan to visit or move to the Czech Republic and want to be able to get around without feeling like a tourist. Innovative Language’s CzechClass101 can help get you started.
Looking for a Discount on CzechClass101?
CzechClass101 Review: Overview
CzechClass101 offers a comprehensive program with four expertise levels and three flexible subscription plans, designed to teach you Czech while fitting seamlessly into your busy lifestyle. Access the program on your mobile device or home computer whenever it suits you, with hundreds of hours of video and podcast lessons available.
You will also find interactive learning tools to help keep your studies fun and interesting. Some additional features available with the different subscription levels include:
- Complete access to the lesson library
- New lessons added each week
- Word bank and phrase lists
- Quizzes and assessments
- Daily quick lessons
- Word-of-the-day emails
- Interesting and relevant lesson topics
- Learning tools like flash cards and voice-recording comparisons
- One-on-one instruction
- Personalized learning plans and assignments
What We Like About CzechClass101
PRO #1: Extensive Lesson Material
CzechClass101 boasts one of the largest lesson libraries among online learning programs, offering hundreds of hours of content accompanied by detailed lesson notes. To keep you motivated, it also includes optional games and activities. The lessons are practical and relevant, avoiding dry, outdated material in favor of information you can use in today’s world.
PRO #2: Native Speakers Teach Lessons
With native Czech speakers as your instructors, you can rest assured that you’re learning accurate pronunciations. They also provide insights into important cultural norms and useful slang. The instructors’ upbeat teaching style keeps lessons engaging and fun, making it easy to build a sense of connection with them.
PRO #3: Quick Lessons
Lessons range from three to 15 minutes, making it easy to incorporate them into your daily routine. You can listen to podcasts on your commute to work or while in waiting rooms, for example. Additionally, it is simple and convenient to set aside a few minutes each night before bed to complete a lesson.
What We Don’t Like About CzechClass101
CON #1: Not Suitable for Advanced Czech Speakers
Advanced Czech speakers looking to improve their fluency may find these lessons somewhat basic. While the content for beginners to intermediate learners is sufficient, if not better, advanced speakers may find it lacking.
CON #2: Inactive Community Forums
While the idea of a community for learning Czech is appealing, it doesn’t seem to work here. It may be due to the lack of demand of those learning the Czech language, therefore amounting to little activity in the Czech forum. As a result, it’s difficult to find others to practice speaking with, unless you live in a Czech-speaking community or have Czech friends and family.
CON #3: Little to No Feedback
Unless you opt for the most expensive PremiumPLUS monthly subscription, there is very little in the way of feedback. Therefore, it can be difficult to know if your pronunciation is correct or have your questions about the language or culture be addressed.
CzechClass101 Features
Dashboard
The dashboard serves as your CzechClass101 control center. From here, you can adjust your experience level or subscription plan, access your lessons, and use any other learning tools included in your plan. Additionally, all the latest news from Innovative Language is posted here first.
Learning Pathways
Your learning pathways consist of sets of lessons, usually focused on a single topic. There is a guided pathway that takes you through learning in a classroom-like setting, as well as other pathways covering topics such as traveling, emergencies, and even applying for jobs in Czech. How you choose to learn is entirely up to you.
Czech Podcasts
As mentioned, the podcast lessons can be listened to nearly anywhere and anytime. Each podcast comes with detailed lesson notes detailing what you just learned.
Video Lessons
Like podcasts, video lessons also include detailed lesson transcripts. Videos differ from podcasts in that they allow you to see what you’re speaking. Additionally, most words are displayed on the screen as you read them, further aiding comprehension.
Lesson Transcripts
These transcripts or notes are available with each lesson. As a bonus, you can even download and print them to read over at a later time.
Learning Tools
There are a variety of fun learning tools and games available. You can find a voice-recording tool to compare your pronunciation to that of the instructor’s as well as flashcards, quizzes, word banks, and phrase lists to aid in your study.
Who Should try CzechClass101?
Because everyone learns in different ways, no language program can be a one-size-fits-all. Those who will benefit from using CzechClass101 include those who:
- can dedicate time each day to studying.
- thrive at independent study.
- are self-motivated.
- want to quickly learn travel phrases and words.
Who Should Not try CzechClass101
On the other side of the coin, some people may not benefit from using CzechClass101. This includes those who:
- prefer instruction from a teacher.
- lack motivation or cannot find time to study.
- are already fluent Czech speakers who want deeper knowledge.
CzechClass101 Alternatives
It is difficult to find many online sources for learning to speak Czech, but our review wouldn’t be fair without offering a few alternatives.
CzechClass101 vs. Duolingo Czech
Duolingo Czech is an app and computer-based language learning program with a game-like interface that is completely free. With that said, you won’t find comprehensive lessons with Duolingo.
Most activities focus on filling in the blanks, constructing sentences out of words you’re given, or translating sentences. There is also an activity that allows you to speak your answers. That said, there truly isn’t much structure to what you learn, and the material feels very random. Is this a good accessory to a more in-depth program? Yes. Will you become fluent in Czech using Duolingo alone? No.
Read our full review of Duolingo here.
CzechClass101 vs. Glossika
Glossika is designed around listening and repeating what you hear. It claims this is the most natural way to learn because this is how you learned to speak your native tongue. Glossika does not waste time on words or phrases that are generally spoken in English no matter where you are.
Instead, this program forces you to start speaking immediately in a game-like fashion. Each time you complete a sentence repetition, you gain a rep. Glossika keeps track of your reps and your progress. This program can be a bit more expensive than others out there.
Read our full review of Glossika here.
CzechClass101 Cost
Upon signing up for your free lifetime account, you are automatically given your first seven days of the Premium plan for free. For just $1 more, you can extend your Premium subscription for one month. This gives you time to try out all that CzechClass101 offers without the expense.
After your first month, you can upgrade or downgrade to a plan that meets your needs. The prices listed below are based on month-to-month subscriptions. If you sign up for a long-term subscription, you can save more money.
Basic Subscription — $4/month $2.80/month (using this link)
- Complete lesson access with detailed notes
- Access on Android, iOS, or computers
Premium Subscription — $10/month $7/month (using this link)
- HD Video and Interactive lesson quizzes
- Learning tools like flashcards
- Czech audio dictionary
PremiumPLUS Subscription — $23/month $16/month (using this link)
- One-on-one consults with instructor
- Personalized lesson plans
- Assignments and ongoing assessments
CzechClass101 Review Conclusion
While we feel this is an ideal platform loaded with information for those just starting to learn to speak Czech, more advanced learners might find it lacking in higher-level content. That being said, the price point is great for the amount of information you get. Due to the fact that there are so few Czech programs out there, CzechClass101 stands out as one of the most comprehensive on the market.
Get a free 7 day trial of CzechClass101 Premium by using this link to sign up.