Have you been learning Czech? Are you not sure what textbook you should use? Here is an overview of the basic ones we have in the Czech market. Choose according to your level and start studying.

Table of Contents

Favourite Czech textbooks

The following list is not complete. I chose the books teachers often use in their lessons. I would also like to call attention to the books I like and use (look for MY TIP). All the books are intended for adults.

0–A1 level

MY TIP Čeština expres START

Čeština expres START

Author: Lída Holá (publishing house Akropolis)
Versions: –
Workbook: –
Audio: online on the Internet
A textbook which helps you to learn Czech without an intermediary language (you don´t need to know English, German…). You have never learned a foreign language and you are nor a Slavic? Doesn´t matter. With this book, you will learn especially to speak and understand in everyday situations from practical life. You won´t learn grammar but you will learn from examples. Then, you can continue in studying with a standard A1 textbook. 7 lessons. Many audio-verbal and phonetic exercises. Colour book.
Bonus: If you don´t know or are not sure how to write the Latin alphabet, you will get supplementary material – Penmanship book for practising (available for free download at www.czechstepbystep.cz).

Česky, prosím – Start

Author: Jitka Cvejnová (publishing house: Karolinum)
Versions: no
Workbook: yes, a separate book (included in the price of the textbook)
Audio: online on the Internet + CD
A textbook for students who can´t write the Latin alphabet. It is focused on writing and pronunciation practising. 10 lessons. Many audio-verbal and phonetic exercises. It is suitable for A0-A1 preparation (before the A1 level). Colour book.
Bonus: contains writing exercise (copy) book – a student can learn to write the Latin alphabet quickly

A1 level

MY TIP Čeština expres A1/1 + A1/2 (2 separate books)

Authors: Lída Holá, Pavla Bořilová (publishing house: Akropolis)
Versions: English, German, Russian, Ukrainian, Spanish, Polish
Workbook: no, is a part of the book
Audio: online on the Internet + CD
A textbook that helps you to learn Czech in a communicative way. It contains 7 lessons – 7 topics and you learn new words, basic grammar, Czech facts and to speak in basic situations. It is suitable for Slavic and Non-Slavic students. Colour book. It „speaks“ Czech (instructions), appendix (grammar explanation and vocabulary) in 6 languages. It helps you to prepare for the A1 exam.
Bonus: 1. appendix = grammar and vocabulary overview (in a separate book in 6 languages, it is included in the price of the book – see versions), 2. supplementary online materials on the Internet
Note: you need to buy 2 books for all A1 level

MY TIP Česky krok za krokem 1 (lesson 1–12)

Author: Lída Holá (publishing house: Akropolis)
Versions: English, German, Russian, Ukrainian
Workbook: yes, 2 separate books (not included in the price of the textbook, you buy them separately)
Audio: online on the Internet + CD
A textbook that helps you to learn Czech in a communicative way. A1 level contains 12 lessons – 12 topics and you learn new words, basic grammar, Czech facts and to speak in basic situations. It is suitable for Slavic and Non-Slavic students. Colour book. The instructions and explanations are in 4 languages (see versions). It helps you to prepare for the A1 exam.
Bonus: 1. supplementary online materials on the Internet 2. one book = 2 levels (A1 + A2)
Note: you buy the textbook and you can/don´t need to buy workbooks

Čeština pro cizince A1–A2

Authors: M. Boccou Kestřánková, D. Štěpánková, K. Vodičková (publishing house: Edica)
Versions: no
Workbook: yes, a separate book (included in the price of the textbook)
Audio: CD + 3 videos online
A textbook that helps you to learn Czech in a communicative way. It contains 12 lessons – 12 topics and you learn new words, basic grammar, pronunciation and Czech facts. It had a good structure divided into listening, reading, grammar, writing, dialogues and Czech facts. It is suitable for Slavic and Non-Slavic students. Black-and-white book. It „speaks“ Czech. It helps you to prepare for the A1 exam.
Bonus: 1. one book = 2 levels (A1 + A2), 2. online methodology and vocabulary
Note: good materials for pronunciation practising

Česky, prosím I

Author: Jitka Cvejnová (publishing house: Karolinum)
Versions: no
Workbook: yes, a separate book (included in the price of the textbook)
Audio: online on the Internet + CD
A textbook that helps you to learn Czech in a communicative way. It contains 10 lessons – 10 topics and you learn new words, basic grammar, Czech facts and to speak in basic situations. It is suitable for Slavic and Non-Slavic students. Colour book. It „speaks“ Czech. It helps you to prepare for the A1 exam.
Bonus: many original texts

Žijeme v Česku, umíme česky!

Author: Vlaďka Kopczyková-Dobešová (publishing house: Aladin)
Versions: English, Russian, Vietnamese, Spanish
Workbook: yes, a separate book (not included in the price of the textbook, you buy it separately)
Audio: CD
19 lessons + 3 thematic lessons. Basic grammar, vocabulary (about 2 000 words), and texts. Colour book. Explanation and instructions in 4 languages (see versions).

Easy Czech

Author: Ondřej Štindl (publishing house: Akronym)
Versions: English
Workbook: no
Audio: CD
12 lessons focused on speaking in basic situations. Reduced grammar. Colour book. It „speaks“ English, and is suitable for English-speaking students.

Základy komunikace v češtině – Giao tiếp bằng tiếng Séc 1, 2 (2 knihy)

Authors: Jiří Kocourek and Tran Van Sang (publishing house: Klub Hanoi)
Versions: Vietnamese
Workbook: no
Audio: online in the Internet
A textbook for Vietnamese students focused on communication, phonetics, differences between the Czech and Vietnamese alphabets, and vocabulary. It helps you to prepare for the A1 level.
Bonus: supplementary educational videos and methodology for teachers online

A2 level

MY TIP Čeština expres A2/1 + A2/2 (2 separate books)

Authors: Lída Holá, Pavla Bořilová (publishing house: Akropolis)
Versions: English, German, Russian
Workbook: no, is a part of the book
Audio: online on the Internet + CD
A textbook that helps you to learn Czech in a communicative way. It contains 7 lessons – 7 topics and you learn new words, basic grammar, Czech facts and to speak in basic situations. It is suitable for Slavic and Non-Slavic students. Colour book. It „speaks“ Czech (instructions), appendix (grammar explanation and vocabulary) in 3 languages.
Bonus: 1. appendix = grammar and vocabulary overview (in a separate book in 3 languages, it is included in the price of the book – see versions), 2. supplementary online materials on the Internet
Note: you need to buy 2 books for all A2 level

Česky krok za krokem 1 (lessons 13–24)

Author: Lída Holá (publishing house: Akropolis)
Versions: English, German, Russian, Ukrainian
Workbook: yes, 2 separate books (not included in the price of the textbook, you buy them separately)
Audio: online on the Internet + CD
A textbook that helps you to learn Czech in a communicative way. A1 level contains 12 lessons – 12 topics and you learn new words, basic grammar, Czech facts and to speak in basic situations. It is suitable for Slavic and Non-Slavic students. Colour book. The instructions and explanation are in 4 languages (see versions).
Bonus: 1. supplementary online materials on the Internet 2. one book = 2 levels (A1 + A2)
Note: you buy the textbook and you can/don´t need to buy workbooks

Čeština pro cizince A1–A2

Authors: M. Boccou Kestřánková, D. Štěpánková, K. Vodičková (publishing house: Edica)
Versions: no
Workbook: yes, a separate book (included in the price of the textbook)
Audio: CD + 3 videos online
A textbook that helps you to learn Czech in a communicative way. It contains 12 lessons – 12 topics and you learn new words, basic grammar, pronunciation and Czech facts. It had a good structure divided into listening, reading, grammar, writing, dialogues and Czech facts. It is suitable for Slavic and Non-Slavic students. Black-and-white book. It „speaks“ Czech. It helps you to prepare for A1 exam.
Bonus: 1. one book = 2 levels (A1 + A2), 2. supplementary online methodology and vocabulary
Note: good materials for pronunciation practising

Česky, prosím II

Author: Jitka Cvejnová (publishing house: Karolinum)
Versions: no
Workbook: yes, a separate book (included in the price of the textbook)
Audio: online on the Internet + CD
A textbook that helps you to learn Czech in a communicative way. It contains 10 lessons – 10 topics and you learn new words, basic grammar, Czech facts and to speak in basic situations. It is suitable for Slavic and Non-Slavic students. Colour book. It „speaks“ Czech.
Bonus: grammar and orthography overview in the book

B1 level

MY TIP Čeština pro cizince B1

Authors: M. Boccou Kestřánková, K. Kopicová, G. Šnaidaufová (publishing house: Edica)
Versions: no
Workbook: yes, a separate book (included in the price of the textbook)
Audio: CD
A textbook that helps you to learn Czech in a communicative way. It contains 10 lessons – 10 topics and you learn new words, grammar, pronunciation and Czech facts. It had a good structure divided into listening, reading, grammar, writing, dialogues and Czech facts. It is suitable for Slavic and Non-Slavic students. Black-and-white book. It „speaks“ Czech.
Bonus: It helps you to prepare for the B1 exam.
Note: good materials for pronunciation practising + revision of A1-A2 grammar

Česky krok za krokem 2

Author: Lída Holá, Pavla Bořilová (publishing house: Akropolis)
Versions: no
Workbook: yes, 2 separate books (not included in the price of the textbook, you buy them separately)
Audio: online on the Internet + CD
A textbook that helps you to learn Czech in a communicative way. It contains 20 lessons – 20 topics and you learn new words, grammar, Czech facts and to speak in basic situations. It is suitable for Slavic and Non-Slavic students. Colour book. It „speaks“ Czech. It helps you to prepare for the B1 exam.
Bonus: supplementary online materials on the Internet
Note: you buy the textbook and you can/don´t need to buy workbooks

Česky, prosím III

Author: Jitka Cvejnová (publishing house: Karolinum)
Versions: no
Workbook: yes, a separate book (included in the price of the textbook)
Audio: online on the Internet + CD
A textbook that helps you to learn Czech in a communicative way. It contains 10 lessons – 10 topics and you learn new words, basic grammar, Czech facts and to speak in basic situations. It is suitable for Slavic and Non-Slavic students. Colour book. It „speaks“ Czech.
Bonus: supplementary online vocabulary (Czech-English, Russian, German, Spanish, French)
Note: original texts and Czech facts

B2 level

MŮJ TIP Čeština pro cizince B2

Authors: M. Boccou Kestřánková, K. Hlínová, P. Pečený, D. Štěpánková (publishing house: Edica)
Versions: no
Workbook: yes, a separate book (included in the price of the textbook)
Audio: CD
A textbook that helps you to learn Czech in a communicative way. It contains 10 lessons – 10 topics and you learn new words, grammar, pronunciation and Czech facts. It had a good structure divided into listening, reading, grammar, writing, dialogues and Czech facts. It is suitable for Slavic and Non-Slavic students. Black-and-white book. It „speaks“ Czech.
Bonus: It helps you to prepare for the B2 exam
Note: A1–B2 grammar overview

Čeština pro středně a více pokročilé

Authors: J. Bischofová, J. Hasil, M. Hrdlička, J. Kramářová (publishing house: Karolinum)
Versions: no
Workbook: yes, a separate book (not included in the price of the textbook)
Audio: CD
A textbook focused mostly on grammar. It contains 15 lessons – 15 topics there are grammar, exercises, communication topics and original texts (professionally or formally focused). Czech facts included. It is suitable especially for students learning Czech at universities. Black-and-white book. It „speaks“ Czech.
Bonus: name index of Czech personalities

C level

Czech it UP! 5

Authors: D. Hradilová et al. (publishing house Vydavatelství Univerzity Palackého)
Versions: no
Workbook: yes, a separate book (not included in the price of the textbook)
Audio, video: online on the Internet
The only C1 textbook of Czech for foreigners so far.

The textbook Čeština pro středně a více pokročilé (see B2 level) is also used for the C level. When you need to practise grammar it is a good choice. For conversation, you can choose textbooks Čeština pro život or Nebojte se češtiny (see below).

Other materials

Basic Czech I, II, III

Authors: A. Adamovičová, D. Ivanovová, M. Hrdlička (publishing house: Karolinum)
6 lessons. For English-speaking students – the book „speaks“ English.
I – A1, II – A2-B1, III – B1-B2

Čeština pro život 1, 2

Author: Alena Nekovářová (publishing house: Akropolis)
A phrasebook with 15 conversational topics + exercises in each book. For B2 and C levels.
1 and 2

MY TIP Česká gramatika v kostce

Author: Lída Holá (publishing house: Akropolis)
Czech grammar overview in four A4 pages. Versions: English, German, Spanish, Russian, French, Ukrainian, Vietnamese, Arabian, Chinese, Italian, Mongolian, Polish

Čeština extra

Author: Jana Harperová (publishing house: Akropolis)

Czech A1–A2 grammar guidebook. Grammar explanation and exercises. 50 lessons. Audio online or 3 CDs.

Nebojte se češtiny

Author: Ana Adamovičová (publishing house: Karolinum)
Conversation for advanced students. 16 lessons. Texts, materials for conversation, grammar exercises. Standard and colloquial Czech.

Česká deklinace a konjugace pro cizince

Author: Helena Confortiová (publishing house: Karolinum)
Tables and exercises

MY TIP Připravujeme se k certifikované zkoušce z češtiny

Authors: different (publishing house: Karolinum)
Textbooks explaining what certified Czech exams look like. Model tests and methodology included.
A2 and B1 and B2

Česká čítanka

Author: Alena Kořánová (publishing house: Akropolis)
17 adapted Czech author’s texts (stories, dramas, legends, poetry, scenarios…) + exercises for comprehension, vocabulary and grammar. Czech-English, German, and Russian vocabulary. Audio online + CD.

Jazykové hry I, II

Authors: Jana Rodrová, Markéta Vymětalová (published by the authors)
Crosswords, puzzles … for Czech practising.
1 – A1–A2 and 2 – B1–B2

As I wrote, this list is not complete. If you use other materials and you like them please write them down in the comments. Thank you in advance.

Don´t forget that textbooks are not all for your learning. Who wants to study effectively, he/she also needs to read – look at what books are good for Czech students. And to listen – here are tips on what to listen to.

Would you like to practise more? You can also try my handouts or e-books for A1-B2 levels. Reading, listening, speaking, writing and additional online activities. Have a look :)

This article in the Czech version

20th August 2019, actualization 4th August 2022