PhDr. Zdeňka Ostmeyerová’s early career

Teaching in Hamr na Jezeře was two wonderful years for me, we were like a family. Professionally, on the other hand, I was in for a bit of a shock there, because in five years at the faculty I had never come across Czech as a foreign language. Fortunately, the direct method was already used in teaching. From 1963, specialized subjects were firmly embedded in the curriculum. In all my 40 years of teaching, I've never gone to class unprepared. Even back then I thought that it was possible to start teaching specialized subjects earlier and that knowledge of the language and a specialized subject could be developed at the same time.

Zahrádky Centre

Due to intensive uranium mining, the students had to be moved from Hamr to the Zahrádky castle. Zahrádky thus became the largest centre until 1983, when the centre in Poděbrady was established.

PhDr. Ostmeyerová's promotion to the newly established centre in Prague and the CLIL method

Art and social science courses were taught in Prague, including the Czech studies.

Between 1969 and 1970 I wrote an annual report: Methodology of Conspectus Practice and Work with Text.

In 1983 I attended a lecture in Prachatice and a national conference on teaching foreign students, where my main topics were professional language, work with a non-adapted text and preparation of students for university studies.

In 1969 I wrote the Introductory Course in History....this is how PhDr. Ostmeyerová became a pioneer in the CLIL method and in Czech for specific purposes.

A trip to Bulgaria as an opportunity to perceive the world through the eyes of a foreigner

On my trip I learned Bulgarian without studying grammar. The message to foreign language learners is therefore: 'Speak, speak and don't be afraid of situations in which you are on your own. Don't burden yourself with grammar from the beginning."

I also have a message for teachers of international students: 'Don't leave your students like lost children in the woods. They are alone in a foreign country. They need to feel a sense of humanity from the teacher."

Milestones in the history of PhDr. Ostmeyerová's work at ÚJOP

1977 - The centres were operated under the rector's office, the Prague workplace became a methodological centre and was attached to the Department of Czech Language and Literature of the Pedagogical Faculty.

1981 - Teaching at the centres was reunited with the methodological centre.

1989 - Political freedom came, to which ÚJOP had to react flexibly because the main focus, i.e. teaching of government-supported foreign students, ended with the fall of communism. Thus, new types of courses were created and the tradition of Czech summer schools began.

1990s - PhDr. Ostmeyerová was a member of the Academic Senate and a Deputy Director for Studies at ÚJOP.

2005 - PhDr. Ostmeyerová retired, but continues to cooperate with ÚJOP in the form of reviewing papers and is also active in the Association of Teachers of Czech as a Foreign Language.

PhDr. Kaska's beginnings and journey through the various ÚJOP centres

Mr. Kaska started working with foreign students in 1965. He went through the centres Hamr na Jezeře, Mariánské Lázně, České Budějovice, Poděbrady and Prague Albertov.

The Poděbrady Centre - from a coal stove to a centre with more than 300 students

Mr. Kaska took over the Poděbrady Centre from the Czech Technical University in a condition when it was heated with coal. He built it up step by step, including the teaching staff, equipment and reconstruction.

Crucial stages of ÚJOP from Mr. Kaska's point of view

In 1974, ÚJOP transferred from the University of 17 November to Charles University. By that time, ÚJOP was already preparing students for all universities in the Czech Republic and teaching specialized subjects in Czech.

Specifics of working with international students

Mr. Kaska spent 41 years working with international students. In addition to teaching, his work included after-school services, helping international students from various countries to adapt even in the days before the Internet and globalization.

Mr. Kaska's wish for ÚJOP's 50th anniversary

"I wish you a lot of students and, above all, no wars." Mr. Kaska significantly helped ÚJOP in the process of adaptation of Ukrainian students in the Czech Republic after the beginning of the Russian occupation. His work on the now recognized CLIL language teaching method has been trailblazing.

Jan Podroužek's early career

I went through Teplice, then Zahrádky, České Budějovice, Havana in Cuba, Prague and back to Cuba.

What was it like to be the director of ÚJOP after the Velvet Revolution?

The main task was to save the existence of ÚJOP at Charles University. It was important to preserve the unique know-how and to transform ÚJOP to be able to operate successfully on the free market. The demand was coming from Arab countries, countries of the former Soviet Union, Latin America, Asia, etc.

Preparatory programmes in English

Preparatory programmes in English started after the Velvet Revolution. Competition is always tough, but the preparation at ÚJOP was definitely better than elsewhere.

What would you like to wish to ÚJOP on its 50th anniversary?

"Keep the knowledge and know-how in the ÚJOP team. I wish ÚJOP many students... you don't need anything else because you already know what to do next."