For nearly fifty foreigners, an intensive three weeks with the Czech language, literature, history, and culture will begin on Monday, August 4th. The traditional Summer School of Slavic Studies is organized by the Institute of Bohemian Studies at the Faculty of Arts of the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice. This year marks the 33rd edition of this popular and sought-after event.
The Summer School of Slavic Studies is primarily intended for foreign students, professionals (teachers, translators, interpreters), and academic workers in the field of Bohemian and Slavic studies. However, all foreign enthusiasts of the Czech language, literature, history, and culture are welcome at the summer school. The course is designed for complete beginners as well as intermediate and more advanced users of Czech.
This year, 46 foreigners from countries such as France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Romania, Poland, Ukraine, Japan, Taiwan, and Mongolia will participate, aiming to learn or improve their Czech. Some students even apply repeatedly.
Participants will explore the intricacies of the Czech language for three weeks with instructors and fellow colleagues, thanks to language instruction including grammar, pronunciation, and reading practice, as well as an accompanying program. They will attend lectures on linguistics, literature, and cinematography, and also selective thematic seminars. "New this year are specialized language seminars focused solely on complex grammar. We introduced these seminars based on feedback from last year's students," added Jan Lassner, the organizer of the Summer School of Slavic Studies.
The summer school is not just about intensive practice in the classrooms of the Faculty of Arts. Participants can also choose from a diverse range of excursions and cultural events during the course. "The program includes, among other things, two full-day trips, which are always worthwhile. This year, we are going to Český Krumlov and Hluboká Castle. We will also visit Budějovický Budvar, the South Bohemian Museum, and the South Bohemian Scientific Library. Participants of the summer school will thus get to know not only the language but also Czech culture in general," describes Jan Lassner.
The Summer School of Slavic Studies has a long tradition at the USB, with more than a thousand participants interested in studying Czech having attended it over its history. The Faculty of Arts at the USB stays in contact with some participants. "This mainly involves tutors, but I also occasionally write to students from previous years to see how they are doing. It usually involves those who come repeatedly," explains Jan Lassner. "I would also like to mention that the Faculty of Arts at the USB offers Czech language instruction throughout the year. These are intensive Czech courses for foreigners, both for beginners and advanced learners. More information about these courses can be found on the faculty's website."
The Summer School of Slavic Studies will be held at the Faculty of Arts of the USB from August 3 to August 25, 2025. The official opening will take place on Monday, August 4, 2025, at 10 a.m. in Pavilion F on the campus of the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice. More information can be found on the website: https://www.ff.jcu.cz/cz/mezinarodni-spoluprace/letni-skola-slovanskych-studii
