The writing clinic is for students and members of staff who want to improve their written English. The clinic offers free consultations to university students and staff to work individually with their language issues.

We do not offer proofreading but instead provide a detailed and tailored response to clients’ language problems. We then provide guidance and support in correcting and overcoming these issues, not just in one troublesome paper but permanently.

The clinic offers assistance with the following aspects of writing (and more):

• generating ideas, planning, pre-writing and re-drafting
• working with academic vocabulary, synonyms, and correct register
• paraphrasing, summarising and plagiarism issues
• consistency, coherence and clarity of writing

We can provide advice and support in writing:

• abstracts, articles and essays
• posters, presentations
• CV’s, cover letters and formal emails
• grant applications and research proposals

Registration

To arrange a consultation, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Include max. 2 pages of your written work.

Please make sure you understand our cancellation and rebooking policy below.

Information (incl. cancellation and rebooking policy)

• Consultations take place at the Language Department of the Faculty of Science (OJZ PřF, Building A, 3^rd floor).
• Each consultation lasts 30 minutes.
• You are entitled to 3 consultations per semester.
• You can change or cancel your booking 3 days before the agreed date.
• If you do not show up for the consultation or cancel it less than 2 days before the agreed time, you lose your entitlement to one session.

We look forward to seeing you!

What is Language Counselling?

Language counselling is a form of individualized support which helps clients improve the way they learn a foreign language. Unlike traditional instruction, it does not focus on grammar or language exercises, but on the learning process itself.

The counsellor guides the learner through a series of reflective conversations, working together on questions such as

• How do I learn best?
• What is holding me back?
• What strategies work best for me?
• How can I stay motivated?

The goal of language counselling is to strengthen

• learner’s autonomy
• awareness of one’s own needs and habits
• the ability to plan and manage one’s own learning
• long-term motivation and self-confidence

Counselling is ideal for learners who want to

• set realistic goals
• create an effective study plan
• overcome language or communication barriers
• find new ways of learning
• effectively track their progress

Language counselling is suitable for learners at level A2 and above.

Additional important information

• Language counselling is a free service for USB students and staff.
• Consultations take place in a safe and confidential environment.
• The program focuses on the English language.
• Program capacity is limited.

What language counselling is not

 It is not English instruction: There is no systematic teaching of grammar or vocabulary, nor are there regular lessons led by a teacher following a textbook.

It is not proofreading or text editing: Language counselling is not intended for correcting seminar papers, theses, academic papers, or work-related texts, nor for their linguistic or stylistic editing.

It is not a translation service: Counselling does not provide translations of texts into or from English.

It is not a language test or exam: The service does not include formal tests, grading, or evaluation of the learner’s performance.

It is not a “quick fix”: Language counselling is based on active collaboration—the goal is not for the counsellor to “do something for you,” but to support you in learning and developing the language independently.

How language counselling works

Registration

Learners can sign up for the program as follows

1. Contact a language counsellor at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
2. In your email, briefly state:

• why you would like to join the program
• how long you have been studying English, and what is your approximate level (e.g., intermediate, B1, studying for 5 years)
• your language needs and priorities (e.g., study, work, communication in an international environment, academic writing, confidence in speaking, etc.)

3. One of the language advisors will then contact you to schedule your first consultation. You will also receive access to the Moodle e-learning platform and information on how to prepare for your first consultation.

Programme Structure

As part of the program, you are entitled to three individual consultations with a language advisor over a period of approximately three months.

1. First Consultation (approx. 60 minutes)

During the first consultation with your counsellor, you will

• conduct a “language inventory” (assessing your current language proficiency)
• identify your strengths and the areas you wish to develop
• clarify your motivation, needs, and priorities
• set specific, realistic goals
• create a personalized language development plan

2. Second Consultation (approx. 30 minutes)

The second consultation is meant to help monitor the process. You will

• reflect on your progress so far
• evaluate the strategies and study methods used
• identify any obstacles
• adjust the plan for further learning as needed

3. Third consultation (approx. 30 minutes)

The final consultation focuses on independence and long-term development. You will

• evaluate the entire counselling process
• identify what has worked for you
• set further goals and steps
• agree on strategies that will allow you to continue your language development independently and with greater confidence

During your participation in the program, you are provided with:

• Access to the Moodle e-learning course, including
  • information on effective language learning
  • recommended resources and materials
  • practical tips, tools, and links for independent study
•  Individual support from a language advisor, including
  • guidance throughout the entire process
  • ongoing monitoring
  • constructive feedback
  • assistance with deciding on next steps

Our counsellors

The counselling team consists of qualified English language instructors with years of teaching experience who have completed specialist training and practical work in the methods and principles of language counselling.

• Natalie Czaban
• Kateřina Kortusová
• Zuzana Kovářová
• Klára Pavlínová
• Laura Zinoni

We provide paid translation services for the Faculty of Science and other university bodies.

Email to Christopher Steer:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

• Are you a CZECH student learning English or another language?
• Do you want to improve your language skills for free?
• Do you need to practice your language skills for an exam or presentation?
• Do you like learning with another person?
• Are you an INTERNATIONAL student?
• Do you like meeting new people?
• Do you want to learn Czech in an informal way?
• Are you happy to teach a foreigner your native language?

If your answer is yes to any of these questions, contact us to be matched with a partner to learn and teach languages.

In a Czech-Czech Learning Tandem for English you can:

• prepare together for exams or presentations
• discuss specialty terms in your field of study and practice using them
• solve exercises and other tasks together
• proofread each other’s writing
• chat and hang out in English!

In an International Learning Tandem you can:

• learn from your partner
• correct each other’s mistakes
• learn about life in other countries
• share activities: cooking food from other countries, doing sports, visiting theatres and museums, going on trips and city tours, watching films in the original language, playing party games together!

We also provide consultations to discuss your study plans and an optional syllabus which you can use to expand your skills in a pleasant and challenging way.

If you are interested in finding your Tandem partner, you can join our TANDEM Facebook group.

Or write to us at tandem(at)prf.jcu.cz.

Practice your speaking and meet for an informal chat in English with your peers and a teacher.

TIME:    Tuesdays 13:30–14:30 during the semester
                 Start in the summer term: 24 February 2026

PLACE:     OJZ room  (building A FSci USB, top floor)

No registration, no fees, no homework,
no tests, no credit – just come.

V případě dotazů se obracejte na Mgr. Davida Žaloudka.

If you have any questions about the Club, please contact Mgr. David Žaloudek at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Since the Winter Semester of 2017–2018 the Language Department has been responsible for organizing English language courses for university employees within the Lifelong Learning education programme.

Since the Winter Semester of 2019–2020 the Language Department has also been in charge of organising and administering these courses.

The courses take place in the Faculty of Science lecture rooms in Buildings A, B, and C. The OJZ classroom is part of the OJZ office in Building A and can be found on the 3rd floor above the FSci USB Department of Student Affairs.

Person responsible: Mgr. Kateřina Kortusová

Useful:

• Lifelong Learning courses on jcu.cz website
• FSci Lifelong Learning language courses (USB E-learning website – Moodle)