How to Practice Czech Speaking for the CCE Exam
You can survive Czech grammar, decode listening, and even write a perfect email but when it’s time to speak, suddenly all words vanish and your brain goes into panic mode. Don’t worry. It happens to everyone. Speaking Czech out loud is the moment when the language leaves your head and enters real life. It’s also the most fun, spontaneous, and human part of learning. Let’s make sure your mouth is ready for that CCE exam microphone whether you’re going for A2 or B1.
How Speaking Works in the CCE Exam
The Speaking section is where Czech finally gets real. No multiple-choice, no hiding behind grammar charts. It’s your chance to show that you can actually talk to people, not just about cases and verbs. Here’s what the exam looks like at A2 and B1, so you know exactly what to expect before you open your mouth.
A2 Level (Permanent Residence)
The A2 speaking test is short and friendly. It lasts about 8–10 minutes and has two parts:
Personal Questions (3–4 min) – You’ll chat with the examiner about yourself: where you live, your job, hobbies, family, or weekend plans. Think: Kde bydlíte? Co děláte ve volném čase? Co jste dělal včera?
Role-Play Situations (5–6 min) – You and the examiner act out simple everyday situations: buying a ticket, ordering food, asking for directions. You’ll both ask and answer five short questions each.
The goal: Show you can handle basic communication in Czech: short, clear, natural answers.
B1 Level (Citizenship)
The B1 test is longer (about 15–18 minutes) and you’ll usually speak in pairs with another candidate. It has three parts:
Personal Questions (3–4 min)– Talk about your daily life, family, work, free time, and future plans.
Picture Task (4–5 min) – You’ll describe and compare two pictures, then discuss the topic with your partner. Example: traveling, food, or free time.
Dialogue/Role-Play (5–6 min) – You and your partner solve a practical situation together (for example, planning a trip, choosing a gift, or organizing an event).
The goal: Show you can express opinions, agree/disagree politely, and keep the conversation flowing even with mistakes!
Why Speaking Scares Everyone (and How to Fix It)
Because you can’t pause, edit, or Google “how to say this in Czech.” But here’s the secret: the examiners don’t expect perfection, they just want to see that you can keep going. Even imperfect Czech is impressive Czech.
How to Practice Speaking (Without Feeling Awkward)
Speaking Czech doesn’t have to mean freezing in panic every time someone says Dobrý den. The trick is to turn speaking practice into something natural and fun. No classrooms, no pressure, just real Czech in real life. Here’s how to do it without feeling like a walking grammar mistake.
Talk to Yourself — You’re Your Best Partner
Yes, really. Your inner voice is free, available 24/7, and doesn’t judge.
Morning: Dobré ráno, fakt se mi nechce vstávat.
On the tram: To je hezký pes. Kde asi bydlí?
At night: Dnes jsem konečně rozuměl prodavačce!
You can even narrate what you’re doing: Dělám si kafe. Nemám mléko. Zase. It might feel silly, but it rewires your brain to think in Czech not translate from English.
Just me, myself, and my Czech conversation partner… who lives in my head.
Shadow Czech Audio
Pick your favorite Czech podcast, song, or TV scene. Repeat out loud with the speaker, copying rhythm and intonation.
You’ll sound ridiculous at first (which is perfect).
Try this with clips from MOST! or Vyprávěj or interviews from DVTV.
Or use Czech songs by Pokáč, Mirai, or Ewa Farna. Sing along and you’re secretly doing pronunciation drills!
Join Real Conversations
Speaking is social, not grammatical. You’ll learn more in one Czech chat over coffee than in ten grammar lessons.
Find a Czech tandem partner: 20 minutes Czech, 20 minutes English.
Join local or online groups like Czech Language Exchange Prague / Brno etc.
Even ordering at a café counts! Say Dám si cappuccino, prosím instead of pointing.
Set Tiny, Real-Life Speaking Goals
Start small:
Ask a stranger Kolik to stojí?
Compliment a barista: Máte dobrý kafe!
Call to make an appointment instead of booking online.
Every success gives your confidence a boost and your Czech gets stronger in real-life contexts.
Record Yourself
Open your phone recorder and talk for one minute about your day. Listen back after a week you’ll hear fewer hesitations, better rhythm, and new confidence.
Bonus: You’ll catch words or endings you always mix up (ráno jsem šel… ne, šla!).
Practice Role-Plays
The CCE exam loves real-life scenarios. Try these with a friend, teacher, or even your mirror:
A2: Order food in a restaurant, ask for directions, describe your house.
B1: Compare two holiday photos, discuss which gift to buy, explain why you prefer city or nature.
Remember: It’s not about acting perfectly, it’s about reacting naturally.
Collect “Survival Phrases”
Keep a small list of handy phrases for tricky moments:
Můžete to říct ještě jednou, prosím? (Could you say it again, please?)
Jak se to řekne…? (How do you say…?)
Nevím, ale myslím, že… (I don’t know, but I think that…)
They show confidence and buy you time to think.
Speaking in Real Life: Fun Ideas from the Painless Czech Guidebook
Here are some of the low-stress ways to get more Czech into your day:
Talk to your coffee: describe your breakfast out loud.
Narrate your commute: imagine you’re a radio presenter.
Invent stories about people on the tram: Ten pán jede do práce, ale zapomněl si svačinu.
Sing Czech songs in the shower (Pokáč makes this easy).
Join volunteer or hobby groups where Czech is used naturally, not forced.
For more speaking tips, conversation starters, and real-life Czech ideas, check out the Painless Czech Guidebook.
Common Mistakes in the Speaking Exam
One-word answers: “Ano. Ne.” → Add details! Ano, ale jen o víkendu.
Forgetting to ask questions in role-plays.
Panicking over grammar instead of communicating.
Focus on understanding and responding, not on perfect endings.
Ready for More?
Want structure? My study plans guide you through two months of practice before your exam:
Remember: Czech fluency doesn’t come from perfection. It comes from participation. The more you speak, the faster your Czech starts to sound like you.
