Looking for the best Czech textbooks?
Some people like learning with Czech courses.
Others want language apps. And some people like learning with textbooks.
And Czech textbooks are a simple way to learn Czech. Why?
Books guide you from page 0, to page 1, to page 3… to page 100. From your first words to your first conversation. You learn tons of words and grammar rules along the way.
So, in this guide, you get…
Best Czech Textbooks & Phrasebooks
Note: For all of these recommendations, I cannot recommend buying the Kindle versions. Kindle formats may not always be as good as textbooks. So, if you’re buying a Kindle book, make sure to try it for FREE first.
1. Complete Czech Beginner to Intermediate Course: Learn to read, write, speak and understand a new language
This may be one the best Czech textbooks out there.
- Pages: 384
- By: Teach Yourself
Like most, you learn dialogues, grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, but that’s not all. The book includes exercises and tests inside the book to force to practice what you’ve learned.
- Conclusion: Good, well-rounded textbook with exercises.
Also, you can get audio files for the dialogues to practice your listening skills.
2. Colloquial Czech: The Complete Course for Beginners
This is another solid textbook for learning Czech, and a whopper of one at that – over 480 pages.
- By Colloquial
- Pages: 480
So, if you want a comprehensive approach to Czech — speaking, listening, reading, writing, grammar, exercises, and more — this is a valuable resource. Yes, it also comes with audio.
- Conclusion: Good overall textbook.
The only downside? If you’re not serious and want a gentle introduction, maybe you’d do better with something lighter than a 480 page book. And if so, check out the Czech phrasebooks down below in this guide.
3. Basic Czech I: Third Revised and Updated Edition
- By Karolinum Press
- Pages: 168
Basic Czech is a typical language learning textbook and a safe starting point for. You learn through basic conversations based around common topics. Then, you learn the words and grammar points behind each one.
This does not come with CDs but you do get a link to download the audio files. So, what’s the big deal?
- Conclusion: A basic textbook for beginners. Short and easy to finish.
The book is only 168 pages long and considerably shorter than other books here. So, if you are looking for a simple start, and don’t want to get overwhelmed, try this textbook.
4. Czech Step by Step: Pack (Textbook, Appendix and 2 Free Audio CDs)
This is another good Czech starting point. It comes with CDs and if English is not your native language, you’re in luck. It’s “multilingual” and includes explanations in multiple languages.
- Pages: 260
- By Acropolish
You can expect to reach the A2 level with this textbook.
- Conclusion: Multiple languages included.
Definitely a unique approach to Czech learning books.
5. Czech: An Essential Grammar (Routledge Essential Grammars)
Want to speak Czech and express yourself fluently? Then, you’ll need grammar.
And there’s where this Czech learning book comes in.
- Pages: 296
- By Routledge
Not a book for absolute beginners, but once you’ve picked up the basics from any of the Czech textbooks here, you’d also want to get this.
- Conclusion: Good book for grammar.
You know what’s another great way to learn and speak Czech?
By learning conversations first.
This where “Czech in 55 Easy Dialogues” comes in.
- Pages: 142
- Publisher: Denisa Sciortino
And it’s quite simple. You get 55 dialogues across all kinds of scenarios: hotels, phone conversations, shopping, and so on. There’s a Czech version, the English translation, and a vocabulary list. That’s it.
- Conclusion: Good for learning conversations, phrases and words.
7. Berlitz: Czech Phrase Book & Dictionary
Another simple way to learn Czech is through phrases.
- Pages: 224
- By Berlitz
So, if you want to skip grammar explanations and jump straight into words you can use, I recommend Czech Phrasebooks like this one.
- Conclusion: Good for adding more phrases to your brain .
You learn over 8,000 words and phrases… which is a pretty good deal in my opinion. As a bonus, it’s small enough to fit into your pocket.
And if you are interested in learning Czech for the long term, you’ll need a dictionary.
This 482-page whopper of a dictionary also contains gender, something other dictionaries and textbooks miss.
If you’re learning with a textbook, this will be a wonderful companion to help you improve your vocabulary and learn more Czech.
These are some of the best Czech textbooks and books I’ve found so far.
But, if you want something a little more than a “book,” then I recommend CzechClass101.
CzechClass101 is a Czech learning program. You get audio/video lessons made by real teachers. The lessons get you speaking in minutes and are just 3-15 minutes in length. Just press the play button below to check out a lesson.
So, if you want to HEAR real Czech and learn faster with a program, I recommend them.
Click here to get a Free Lifetime Account at CzechClass101.com.
– The Main Junkie
Thanks for posting this information – and giving everyone a heads up about the Kindle versions of these books. They are rarely satisfactory; let’s hope for improvements.
Let me add these comments:
(1) Free, down-loadable audio files for both Complete Czech and Colloquial Czech are available through the publishers’ websites. There is no need to look for CDs to accompany them. Both are rather demanding, especially if you have not previously studied a Slavic language. I think Czech Step-by-Step with the CDs is the better choice.
(2) The second volume of Czech Step-by-Step takes you to the B1 level. (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: A1/A2, B1/B2, C1/C2). I used the Step-by-Step series in the Czech summer program at Charles University and was more than happy with it. It’s certainly more lively than the Basic Czech series from the Karolinum Press. Be sure to get the accompanying CDs.
(3) My introduction to Czech many years ago was through McGraw Hill’s Cestina Hrou: Czech for Fun (560 pages), which is now sadly out-of-print. However, used copies are offered for absurd prices on Amazon. If you’re fortunate enough to find a reasonably priced copy (best with the 2 CDs), it is an exceptionally solid, university-level textbook to the cusp of the B2 level. (For reference: Charles University requires at least a B2 to enroll in the regular academic program.)
And good luck!
As someone who is just researching the best Czech resources, thanks for all the tips!