Learning a foreign language most effectively takes place directly in the environment of its distribution. And if not every parent can afford to send a child to study abroad for a long time, then many are quite capable of seizing the opportunity and arranging a child for a language camp in the Czech Republic. Let's try to figure out what are the advantages of summer schools and how to choose the most suitable one.
Varieties of summer camps
Summer vacations in Czech schools last only two months: from July 1 to August 31. Therefore, the operating mode of camps for children and adolescents who prefer to spend the summer in the company of their peers is built with this circumstance in mind. Sixty days is a fairly long period of time, allowing you to complete several training programs on different shifts and even in different camps.
Some organizations also offer longer stays - for example, the State University of Prague organizes annual and semi-annual programs for young people who play football on a professional level. In addition to sports training, teenagers also have the opportunity to study some academic subjects in order to keep up with the school curriculum.
Holidays in the Czech Republic can be very varied. However, the main focus of the programs is the study of a foreign language. Here you can learn not only Czech, but also English, German, Spanish, French.
Most of the programs are of a combined nature, involving the alternation of sports and creativity with the study of languages and meaningful rest, for example:
- football and other sports;
- fitness;
- ecology and environment;
- creative activities: music, singing, drawing, acting.
One of the tasks of organizing summer events is vocational guidance for young people, assistance in choosing a future profession and preparation for study in Czech universities.
Foreign language programs
The Czech Republic has the largest number of camps with the study of the Czech language. In this case, the program, as a rule, is structured in such a way that children can master several languages at once. The most popular languages are, of course, English and German. Spending summer holidays at a language camp is a great opportunity to improve your linguistic skills, find new friends and get to know life in another country better.
The choice of possibilities is quite large. Let's name just a few options for those who want to spend the summer with benefit:
- Two camps - "English" and "Czech", organized by the Prague Educational Center. The language course is suitable for both schoolchildren and students. English classes, which are held interactively in classrooms and outdoors, take 20 hours a week. The main emphasis is on the development of spoken language. In their free time, vacationers take part in quests and sports activities, tours of museums, galleries, walks in the parks of Prague, etc. are organized for them.
Czech language courses include 16 hours per week. To them, in addition, program participants receive 4 more hours of English lessons. For vacationers, excursions outside of Prague are organized - to Mlada Boleslav, Kutna Hora, as well as to Germany and Austria.
- International Language Academy, organized by the MSM (International Youth Union). This program has been operating since 2021. The camp is located in Prague. The number of pupils is 250. Designed for children from 14 years old.
- Study Camp - international courses in English, German and Czech. The camp provides a unique opportunity to learn languages through immersion in the language environment, since the bulk of its pupils are children from the Czech Republic and Germany. It is located in the town of Mlada Briste. The number of participants is 40 people.
- Lexica Camp. Located in the Czech capital. It is organized by the Prague Linguistic Institute. Designed for children 11-18 years old. The number of pupils is 160.
- Language camp from the Veda school. Here you can get basic knowledge of Czech or English. Children aged 9-18 are accepted here. The program has been running since 1993. About 160 children rest here on one shift.
- SCEL Summer School offers courses in English and Czech. The program also includes a large number of excursions, entertainment and sports activities, as well as visits to the country's leading universities. Teenagers 12-18 years old undergo language training here, their total number per shift is 150 people.
Summer is not the only time of the year when you can improve your language skills. For example, during the winter holidays there is an opportunity to visit the Ski School of the Czech Republic and Austria with the study of foreign languages. The camp is located on the Czech-Austrian border in the Sumava Mountains. All inclusive service system, program duration is 2 weeks. Designed for children 7-16 years old. The number of pupils is 30 people.
Who can go to a language camp in the Czech Republic
There are no specific requirements for those who want to fill the summer with impressions and knowledge. The only limitation that can be is the age of the participants. Most often it is due to the peculiarities of the program. That is, if your child is not taken to the camp, you should not regard this action as discriminatory - this can only mean that by age he or she is not yet suitable for this program.
In general, the age of holidaymakers is from 7 to 18 years old. However, many camps are designed for participants and older students.
If the summer school has a combined focus (for example, language learning + football), then its rules may limit access for those who are far from this sport. In addition, in some camps, participants are divided into groups according to the level of proficiency in the required skills - for example, beginner, advanced and professional.
As far as summer language schools are concerned, the degree of language proficiency is by no means a selection criterion. Immediately upon arrival at the camp, children are tested, on the basis of which they are divided into groups. The main thing that a child needs is a visa, availability of funds and parental consent to travel abroad.
What is included in the price of the voucher
The financial side of the issue is due to the type of program, the length of stay in the camp and the variety of activities carried out. Most often, the total amount includes:
- foreign language classes (usually 16-20 hours a week);
- living on a campus with comfortable conditions, equipped with Internet access;
- meals according to the Standart system (2 times a day) or All Inclusive (three times a day);
- excursions to Prague and other cities located near the camp;
- outdoor activities;
- visiting museums and sightseeing;
- picnics;
- boat trips along the river, if the camp is located in the immediate vicinity of the river station;
- travel by public transport;
- transfer;
- sometimes pupils are provided with a Czech mobile SIM card.
Usually the voucher does not cover:
- Visa application.
- Medical insurance.
- Plane or bus tickets.
- Document preparation costs (notary services, copy costs, etc.).
If the trip is organized by an intermediary, a commission may be added to the cost of the trip.
Accommodation conditions
Holidays in the Czech Republic for schoolchildren are very comfortable.Therefore, the parents of the young traveler have nothing to worry about. Each camp has its own buildings in which sleeping and educational buildings are located. If the summer school is organized by a university or college, classes can be held on the basis of their departments.
The type of accommodation depends on the possibilities of the camp.
Most often, children live for 2-3 people in comfortable, equipped with all the necessary rooms with their own shower and toilet.
Usually the room has a refrigerator, cable TV, air conditioning. Be sure to have access to the Internet via Wi-Fi.
If the camp does not have its own campus, children are accommodated in hotels of 3, 4 or 5 stars, which may affect the cost of the voucher.
Free time
What attracts summer camps is the opportunity to combine learning with an exciting vacation. Traveling to another country in itself already evokes a lot of emotions. And when children are immersed in its atmosphere, the rest becomes unforgettable.
What is usually customary to entertain pupils in the Czech Republic? Of course, excursions to numerous sights. If the camp is located in the capital, be sure that the child will not be bored. There is a lot to see here.
If the summer school is located outside of Prague, the organizers of the project will certainly include a visit to this city in the program. In addition, the guys are waiting for:
- trips to museums, galleries, theaters;
- walks in parks;
- outdoor picnics;
- sporting events;
- creative evenings;
- discos;
- visit to the water park (usually this is included in the program of the Prague camps);
- trips to Germany and Austria;
- acquaintance with famous Czech universities.
There are many rivers and lakes in the Czech Republic, so the camp program often includes boat trips with an entertainment program.
The duration of the shift and the cost of the voucher
Every parent is certainly worried about how much budget is needed for such a trip.
The cost will be based on the duration of the shift, the accommodation conditions and the content of the curriculum.
Usually, the administration of summer schools prepares package offers, which provide all the services that are provided to the child during their stay in the camp. On average, the bill ranges from 800 to 1600 euros per shift.
For example, a camp from the Prague Education Center has the following budget:
- 2 weeks - 1030 euros;
- 3 weeks - 1310 euros;
- 4 weeks - 1600-2170 euros.
In a football camp for children with the study of foreign languages (Prague), the price is formed as follows: a two-week language program + football lessons = 750 euros. Here you need to add 110 euros for accommodation with meals (half board) + 200 euros for excursions. If desired, parents can additionally pay for meals for 4-5 euros per day.
In addition, it should be borne in mind that in some cases you will have to take the child to the airport on your own, and sometimes to the camp itself.
Outcomes
Language camps in the Czech Republic are an opportunity to learn or improve a language among its native speakers. In addition, children are given the opportunity to combine activities with exciting leisure activities, as well as become more independent, breaking away from their parents and familiar surroundings.
In the Czech Republic, summer schools are divided into language and combined. The latter combine language classes with other activities - sports or creativity.
