Profile of the Department

Our mission

The number of students, the level of teaching and the scientific research activities of pedagogical staff rank the Department of Romance Languages ​​among the most important departments in Romance studies in the Czech Republic. Four Romance languages ​​are taught at the Department: French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese at all levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages ​​(CEFR). The courses focus on general and professional language in the fields of economics, business, international relations, diplomacy, tourism and socio-cultural realities of the Romance-speaking world.

 

Internationally recognized language exams

The Department of Romance Languages 

  • is the only authorized center in the Czech Republic, which has permission to examine internationally recognized language tests of  the Cámara de Comercio e Industria de Madrid (CCIM).  The language diplomas can be taken at B2 – C2 levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and the exams are held twice a year. It is also the authorised center for SIELE and DELE exams in cooperation with Instituto Cervantes in Prague.
  • cooperates with Institut français de Prague, the authorised examination center for Paris Chamber of Commerce certifications in professional French – Diplôme de français professionnel – at the levels A1-C1. The exams are also held for our students twice a year at the University of Economics or in Institut Français.
  • is the only authorized center in the Czech Republic for internationally recognized language exams CELI – Certificato di conoscenza della lingua italiana. The certificates are issued and administered by the Università per Stranieri in Perugia (Italy).

Moreover, the Department organizes preparatory courses for all levels. Every student of University of Economics or anyone from public can apply for these courses and diplomas.

Publishing and research

In addition to teaching, academics also engage in publishing modern textbooks of general and professional language and research in professional language didactics, applied linguistics, lexicology, lexicography, intercultural studies, politology, Ibero-American studies, literary history or translation studies, and cooperate with other domestic and foreign university language centers, departments and workplaces.   International cooperation  External experts from companies and embassies of France, Spain, Italy, Brazil, Peru, Mexico, Belgium, Switzerland, Tunisia, Morocco, Portugal and other countries have been working with the Department for a long time and regularly giving lectures focused on the current political and economic situation. The Department also regularly organizes summer school programs ( https://escueladeverano.vse.cz/) focused on EU-Latin America business relations and international academic and student conferences.