Czechs Speaking English Young

Posted by Amanda Kendle Dec 13, 2006

As I struggle vainly with my second language (and that of my husband - German) I read this week that in the Czech Republic, it's becoming increasingly popular for babies to be in English classes. Yep, generally these babies (not even really toddlers) are aged 14-19 months old, and they take a half hour class each week with their parents. They're exposed to games and songs and then at home, their parents should play them an English CD twice a day. Does it work? Well, experts say it is theoretically possible that they can pick up English as "a second mother tongue", but they definitely have to be exposed to the language every day. Wait 20 years then see if you can travel with absolute ease in the Czech Republic! (they're already holding these classes in 10 towns across the country, after starting in Opava, North Moravia, so it's not just a Prague thing). Now it's back to my German study ...

Read more about the native tongues of the region in Languages in Eastern Europe.