Czechs prepare to talk the EU talk

Czech civil servants are to learn English with the help of a three-year British Council-inspired scheme to promote language skills among officials working on entry to the European Union.

"English for Europe" will be offered to key ministry employees. By the end of next year, 2,000 Czech officials will have to demonstrate fluency in English, French or German.

The British Council scheme, the first of its kind, is designed to make learning English accessible to civil servants.

The British Council will establish self-study centres in the buildings of key ministries in Prague, including foreign affairs and education. English-language study aids and visits by British teachers will prepare students for exams.

Elizabeth White, deputy director of the British Council's Czech office, said the scheme would cost about £100,000 in its first year.

She said she hoped the scheme would be of interest to British Council offices in Poland and Hungary, both of which are scheduled to join the EU at the same time as the Czech Republic, probably around 2004.