How can you immerse yourself in the Polish language while exploring the beautiful city of Krakow? Let me say, it’s not as daunting as it may seem. All you need is a couple of weeks or months, some dedication, and a lot of curiosity.
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Start Learning Polish in Krakow Right Away
You don’t need to rush and enroll in a language course straight away. No siree! You can kick start your journey to learn Polish at your own pace and in a setting that suits you. The crux of the matter is to become familiar with the language. Surround yourself with Polish media – movies, TV shows, and songs. Hang around folks who speak Polish and don’t be shy to strike up a conversation.
Begin with the alphabet and some basic words. I believe it’s about letting your brain adapt to new sounds, rhythms, and tones. It might be handy to keep a language notebook, jotting down words, sentences, or phrases that you found intriguing or useful throughout the day.
In this day and age, there are loads of resources available to help you. We're talking smartphone apps, flashcards, games, and podcasts. Pick what appeals to you and dive in.
The Challenge of Mastering Polish
I can tell you, Polish is no walk in the park. It’s primarily tricky due to its grammar, which is all sorts of complex. It has 7 cases and 5 genders – quite a brain twister, right? That’s not all, folks! The conjugation of verbs according to persons or expressing different tenses is another hurdle.
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Pronouns, prepositions, inflection, syntax, numeral inflection, various endings and a whole bunch of inflected pronouns can be challenging.
Don’t even get me started on spelling and punctuation! You need to master rules like using Ż or rz, h or ch, ó or u.
In addition to grammar, Polish has its fair share of synonyms. For instance, the words „kolor” and „barwa” are synonymous, but they’re used differently based on context.
Pronunciation is yet another stumbling block. Words like ’rezurekcja’ might seem like tongue twisters at first. Special characters in the Polish language such as ą, ę, ć, ś, ń, sz, and rz (ż) might seem tricky due to their unique pronunciation.
But don’t let this scare you off! Remember, the journey of learning a new language is a marathon, not a sprint. And with the right mindset and tools, it’s definitely doable. So, if you find yourself in Krakow, why not take the leap and dive into the beautiful Polish language? You never know, you might just surprise yourself. So where to start in Kraków?
One-Stop Polish Language Boot Camp in Krakow
Let me tell you about this unique opportunity that happens every September in Krakow. The city hosts an intensive, month-long Polish language course tailored for foreigners. If you’re keen on studying at Krakow’s renowned Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski Academy, this could be the perfect fit for you.
But, there’s a catch! This isn’t a beginner’s course. You need to have a basic undrstanding of Polish at the A2 level or above. Sorry folks, anyone below A2 level won’t make the cut.
A Peek Into the Course
The course lasts all through September and includes 120 didactic units. One unit equals 45 minutes, which makes it a packed 4 weeks with 30 didactic units per week. Expect 6 to 7 teaching units every day – intensive, right?
The course fee for a group of 10-15 participants is PLN 1,200 for those planning to study at the academy. For others, it’s PLN 1,600.
Here’s what’s included in the course fee:
- A placement test
- Course activities
- A coursebook
- Other teaching materials
- Certificate upon completion of the course
- B2 level certification exam (if you qualify)
- B2 certificate (if you pass the exam)
The Outcome
The goal of this course is to get you to level up! If you’re entering with full A2 level skills, expect to leave with a B1 proficiency. Likewise, if you start at B1, you’ll finish the course at the B2 level.
How to Get in Touch
If you’re raring to go and want more information, you can get in touch with the course head at [email protected].
If you need to know more about foreign languages at the academy, contact their Department of Foreign Languages. They’re based in Building A, Room 117, at ul. Gustawa Herlinga-Grudzińskiego 1, 30-705 Kraków. You can also call them at +48 12 252 45 70, +48 12 252 45 72, or email at [email protected].
Finally, the academy’s Recruitment Department is at your disposal. They’re located in Building C, on the ground floor, at the same address. Call them at +48 12 252 44 00, +48 12 252 44 04, or fax at +48 12 252 44 05. You can also shoot them an email at [email protected].
I think, if you’re serious about boosting your Polish language skills in an immersive setting, this intensive course is well worth considering. Being there, you’d have to put in some hard work, but I’m convinced the results will be rewarding. Happy learning!
References:
- https://en.ka.edu.pl/educational-offer/studies-in-english/
- https://www.ka.edu.pl/rekrutacja-kursy-i-szkolenia/intensywny-kurs-jezyka-polskiego-dla-obcokrajowcow/
