For full integration, migrants must have a better command of the Czech language
Currently, to obtain permanent resident status, foreigners must, among other things, demonstrate proficiency in Czech at the beginner level A1. As reported by Vinegret.cz, the Ministry of the Interior together with the Ministry of Education plans to raise the difficulty of the test by one level – to level A2.
At the same time, the structure of the exam will not change. It will still consist of a written part (reading comprehension, listening comprehension, writing) and an oral part (speaking skills). The first attempt will remain free. Each retake will cost 1,500 crowns. Foreigners will also retain the opportunity to study the language for free in integration courses at specialized organizations.
The relevant bill will be considered by the government of the republic in the near future. The initiators of the innovation note that level A1 is insufficient for the full integration of migrants. As an example, they cite the fact that such a low level for obtaining permanent residence is currently set in only two EU countries – France and the Czech Republic itself.
"Compared to other European countries, the institution of permanent residence in the Czech Republic is the strongest. This status gives a foreigner almost the same rights as a citizen (except for the right to vote). Raising the requirements for the language exam is not discrimination. On the contrary, the goal is to create conditions for better integration of migrants into society," the document says.
It should be noted that since the introduction of the mandatory language exam in January 2009, the pass rate has decreased from 80% to 61%. The test causes the greatest problems for citizens from non-Slavic countries, particularly Vietnamese. Specialists at integration centers fear that making the exam harder could seriously worsen the situation.
Recall that several years ago, Masaryk University in Brno (Masarykova univerzita) launched an educational website for foreigners aimed at helping them master the Czech language. The project Mluvte česky! is a free online self-study guide with detailed grammar, text and audiovisual exercises.