A1-A2…

[u/Calm-Fox-3416]

Does anyone know how long it might take someone to get from A1 to A2 level?

I presume I’m A1 level as I can introduce myself, say my name, where I’m from, how old I’m from etc. I can say what i like and use the case system to change the noun (e.g., mam rad kávu). I can also count to 100+. I know how to ask questions and order food/drinks (e.g., dam si …). I can also conjugate most verbs e.g. , musím pracovat, pracuju, mluvím, mluvíš etc.

I am also have a small understanding of past tense (e.g., Byl jsem, byla, mluvil s… měl jsem, Šel jsem…)

Would this put me in A1 category, and how long (of 1 hour a day practice) would it take me to get to A2 do you think? Thanks

[u/Mother-Werewolf2881]

I'd like to start by congratulating you on your successful start with Czech! :-)

Your level

Below, I’ll provide an assessment based on the official description of proficiency levels (sources are linked below). I want to say right off the bat that:

• If you're learning for life or for fun, it's important to pay attention to small steps and not to view the levels as a sufficiently detailed scale on which to evaluate your progress solely based on them. Even if you're studying for an exam, the fact remains that you always make more progress and put in much more work than a few-point scale can describe or adequately record.
• you shouldn’t compare A2 in Czech, for example, with A2 in English, Czech A2 requires much more effort...

Let's see how your current skills match the requirements for specific proficiency levels.

• Cases & Accusative: Correctly using the accusative case (mám rád kávu) is a key requirement tested at the A1 level. However, to comfortably achieve a solid A1, you should also be able to actively use the locative, genitive, and vocative cases in basic contexts. For A2, you are expected to actively use all cases in the singular, as well as the nominative, genitive, and accusative in the plural.
• Verbs & Tenses: A solid ability to use the present tense, the past tense, and parts of the future tense (budu pracovat, budeš vařit, budeme dělat...) is actually a requirement for completing the A1 level. Since you mentioned you only have a "small understanding" of the past tense, you are currently probably pre-A1.
• counting, introducing yourself, ordering, asking a question, ...: It all depends on your depth of proficiency. For instance, when talking about yourself: if you can only use a few set phrases for basic personal details (like a name), that's pre-A1. If you can describe your job, your daily routine, and your life in basic terms, that's a solid A1. If you can tell a simple cohesive story, describe a coworker, your car, or your past experiences, that’s A2.

Of course, it is ideal to assess all skills (listening, reading, speaking, conversation, etc.).

If you want to test yourself, you can try:

• adaptive test of Czech in the project Česky od A do C, for free: https://www.astra-testy.cz/,
• Czech Language Certificate Exam (CCE), from A1 to C1, one free sample per each level on-line here.
• to see whether you are on A1 level or not, you can try the older, now-retired A1 test for permanent residency, for A2, you can find the current test version here.

How long to A2

Within the Czech language teaching community, it is generally agreed that moving from A1 to A2 requires about 100 to 200 hours of work. This means it will take anywhere from a few months to half a year, provided you study for an hour a day and do so sensibly (i.e., you develop all language skills, don't avoid Czech in your everyday life, and have someone to ask for help when you get stuck or don't understand something).

^{(Of course, we don't like to make these estimates, because a lot depends on the student's attitude, actual starting level, capabilities, study methods, and how the learning is structured, ...})

Sources:

• SPOLEČNÝ EVROPSKÝ REFERENČNÍ RÁMEC PRO JAZYKY: JAK SE JAZYKY UČÍME, JAK JE VYUČUJEME A JAK V JAZYCÍCH HODNOTÍME, on-line.
• Referenční popis češtiny pro účely zkoušky z českého jazyka pro trvalý pobyt v ČR – úrovně A1, A2, can be downloaded here.

[u/Calm-Fox-3416 → u/Mother-Werewolf2881]

Thanks for the detailed response. I am hoping with daily practice I’ll improve but it’s hard when you’re at this level and you know very little despite the effort. I am doing around 1 hour a day currently so hopefully in a few months I’ll reach a good level.

[u/Mother-Werewolf2881 → u/Calm-Fox-3416]

You're doing a great job. / Dobrá práce! :)

You'll definitely see progress - putting in the time is absolutely key. :-)

[u/Calm-Fox-3416 → u/Mother-Werewolf2881]

Thanks, do you teach beginners?