For Students

The abbreviation CEFR used in the course descriptions refers to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, which describes A1 - C2 language levels.

CEFR assessment grid (pdf)

Quick OJZ Placement Test

The test is based on grammar and vocabulary. Download it, do it, correct it using the key and you can find out your approximate level of English in the table below. The test won't take you more than 40 minutes.

• Test
• Key
  

Evaluation of the test

This evaluation only serves as a basic reference. There are more detailed and more accurate placement tests that test language skills available on various webpages (e.g. Dialang, TOEIC placement test).

TOEIC Listening Test

A short TOEIC Listening-skills test is available here.

• 25 questions
• 15 minutes
• Beginner to Advanced (A1 to C1 on the CEFR)
• Tests the candidate's listening skills
• Instant results
• Use your existing ETS account or register

More information about the TOEIC and TOEFL tests: ETS website
and more information on the Language Department website.

LanguageCert Placement Test

Quick online placement test – 25 multiple-choice questions. The test is available on the LanguageCert webpage here.

“When the world feels dark, it’s so important we recognize the moments of light." 

– by Will Rogers

Language Exploration:

Even if you don't know every word, try to understand the meaning of the sentence. This is good practice for tests.

You can find the answers and a possible translation of the quote below.

1. How would the part of the sentence after the comma need to change so that When means “once” (a future time clause; Czech: až) rather than “whenever” (a conditional, cz: jestliže)? How does this differ from using If in conditional clauses?
2. Why is the article the used before the word world?
3. Why is so used before important instead of the more common very?
4. What linking word could we insert between important and we?
5. What is the alternative spelling of the word recognize?
6. Why must the word light be separated from moments by the preposition of in English, when this is not necessary in Czech?
7. If you speak Czech: How does the subject of the verb feels differ between the English and Czech versions of the sentence?
   Extra Challenge:
8. How does the rhythm and emphasis change if we replace so important with extremely important? Which sounds more natural in spoken English and why?
9. Could the first part of the sentence be rewritten in the passive voice without losing meaning? What would that look like, and what effect would it have on tone?

Note: Positive, motivational quotes in English for every day are offered by many applications and groups on social networks, such as Action for Happiness or Brainy Quote.

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Answers to the tasks above:

1. When here expresses a zero conditional—what regularly happens in a given situation—so it means “whenever/if.” If we want When to mean “once” (a future time clause), the main clause should use the future tense: “… it will be so important…”.
   This signals that the situation will likely occur. If, by contrast, introduces a conditional clause, focusing on possibility rather than certainty.
2. World is a singular countable noun, so it needs an article. It’s definite because it refers to our one known or unique world – similar to phrases like the sun or the president.
3. So emphasizes importance more strongly than very and usually carries stress in speech. It often suggests that further explanation or details will follow.
4. Czech requires a conjunction here, such as “že” (that) or “aby”, while the English equivalent is that, which can be omitted without making the sentence unclear.
5. The ending -ize is standard in American English, while British English prefers -ise. Both forms mean the same, but consistency within a text is essential.
6. The preposition of introduces the genitive case (whose?, cz: pád). In English, two nouns in sequence usually form a descriptive compound (dog food, a post office), whereas a corner of a house shows possession. Without of, the meaning changes.
7. In Czech, it sounds more natural to move “world” to the object position. The verb feel usually refers to a person’s perception (She felt happy). Czech rarely transfers personal feelings to inanimate things (like “world”), though synecdoche is common (e.g., the class fell silent instead of everyone in the class fell silent).
8. So important sounds more conversational and emphatic, and is often stressed in speech. Extremely important is more formal and less emotionally charged.
9. Passive version: Recognizing the moments of light is considered so important when the world feels dark. This shifts focus from the speaker’s perspective to the action itself, making it less personal.

Possible translation:
Ve světě, kde můžeš být čímkoli, buď laskavý (a to i k sobě samému).

References

This educational section may include content which is adapted from AI-generated responses.