British Centre

About the British Center

The British Centre offers specialised services in English language teaching and learning, language exams and international certificates. The Library of the British Centre is open to the public and is developed with an objective to provide English language teaching and learning materials corresponding to all required language levels. The whole range of the library stock can be found in the catalogue.

Contact

Palacký University Library - British Centre
Biskupské nám. 1
771 11 Olomouc
GPS: N 49°59.59616', E 17°26.01220'
Telephone: 585 631 874
Email: bc@upol.cz

Opening Hours

MondayClosed
Tuesday9 – 12, 13 – 17
Wednesday9 – 12, 13 – 17
Thursday13 – 17
Friday9 – 15
Saturday9 – 12
SundayClosed

Changes in the standard opening hours

Tuesday 1. 1.New Year Day
Friday 19. 4. and Saturday 20. 4.Easter
Wednesday 1. 5.Public holiday
Wednesday 8. 5.Public holiday
2. 7. – 17. 8.Summer holiday
Saturday 24. 8.Closed
Saturday 31. 8.Closed
Saturday 28. 9.Public holiday
21. 12. – 31. 12. (+Wednesday 1. 1. 2020)Christmas holidays

Staff

Manager
Mgr. Zuzana Hanelová		585 631 877
585 636 352 (pondělí)		zuzana.hanelova@upol.cz
Mgr. Lenka Hanáková585 631 873lenka.hanakova@upol.cz
Mgr. Marcela Koupilová585 631 874marcela.koupilova@upol.cz

Membership and Fees

Membership

Both the Library and Multimedia Study Room are open to the general public. Anyone can become a library member at any time of the year. There are no professional or age limitations.

A passport and a one passport size photo are needed in order to issue a membership card. We are sorry we do not accept credit cards.

Fees for Services

Registration fee for public
(membership for 12 months, no further fees for lending materials)		400.- CZK
Registration fee for the Palacky university students and employeesFree
Registration fee for holders of UP alumni card
(membership for 12 months, no further fees for lending materials)		100,- CZK
Photocopying, A4 format1.20 CZK
Printouts1.20 CZK

Advanced English Courses

Since the C1 Advanced English (CAE) preparation course is in great demand, the British Centre of Palacký University Library opens new courses that can prepare you for this exam.

1) February-to-May Course
It consists of 16 ninety-minute lessons. Tuesday from 17:00 to 18:30, room 1.57 in Palacký University Library (the Armoury, ground floor). Beginning of the course: 12 February 2019.
Price: 4.000 CZK (it includes a textbook as well as a mock test on 30 March).
Registration

2) Saturday Course
It consists of 7 ninety-minute lessons every other Satruday from 9:00 to 10:30, room 1.57 in Palacký University Library (the Armoury, ground floor). It focuses on successful passing of the C1 Advanced English exam and provides the candidate with useful strategies. It starts on 16 February 2019 and finishes on 25 May 2019.
Price: 2500 CZK (including a textbook, different from the one used in Feb-to-May Course, as well as a mock test on 30 March and familiarization with the computer-based format of the exam)
Registration

3) Both the courses can be combined at the reduced price of 5.500 CZK. Thus the preparation for C1 Advanced English exam can be intensified even more. This combined form consists of 23 ninety-minute lessons, two different textbooksa a mock test (simulation of paper-based format of the exam) and familiarization with the computer-based format.
Registration

Employees and students of Palacký University and holders of Palacký University alumni cards have 5% discount.

The fee may be paid in cash at the British Centre or to the bank account no.19-1096330227/0100, VS = 999616011. Write name of the course participant into the space for message for recipient.

Cambridge Exams

ONLINE REGISTRATION

As a partner of the British Council we organize the Cambridge Exams, the world's best-known qualifications for learners of English. The exams cover all four language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) and assess the candidates' ability to use a variety of structures and functions in authentic situations.

More informations on exams, dates, registration terms and certificates

Parent/legal guardian's consent with the test day photo for exam taker under 18 years of age

List of useful textbooks and tests

Framework

The particular levels of the most frequent Cambridge Exams can be found here. A summary of the 2015 changes to the Cambridge English exams First and Advanced can be found here.

Applications and Certificates

For all exams you can register online here.

For institutions we offer the possibility of bulk registrations here. To get access to this portal you need to send an email request to pcp.registration@britishcouncil.cz, inluding your company details (invoice details), contact name and contact email address.

Online registration guide for institutions

Parent/Legal Guardian´s consent with the test day photo for CESOL exam taker under 15 years of age

Computer-Based Exams

Cambridge Exams PET, FCE and CAE are now available to be taken as a computer-based test. Other than the method of completing them, the exams are exactly the same, and they both lead to the same internationally recognised Cambridge ESOL certificate.

Get familiar with a computer-based test

Extended Certification

The ‘Extended Certification’ will give candidates additional credit for the language skills they have demonstrated and a clearer picture of how results relate to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

A candidate who performs particularly well in the exams can get credit at a higher level on the CEFR. For example, candidates who get grade A in ‘Cambridge English: First‘ receive a ‘FCE’ certificate indicating that they are at C1 level (instead of B2). Candidates can also receive credit for their English language skills, even if they do not achieve a passing grade. So a candidate who does not get enough marks for a grade C in ‘Cambridge English: Advanced‘ can still be awarded a certificate showing performance at level B2 if they show this level of ability in the exam.

Pretests (Mock Tests)

ONLINE REGISTRATION

Pretests (mock tests) are available to anybody interested in content and structure of the general Cambridge Exams (KET, PET, FCE, CAE, CPE). Led by experienced tutors, you can test your performance as if you were doing the real exam.

More information (in Czech)

Catalogue

The catalogue of the British Centre Library offers a unique collection of literature suitable for all individuals interested in improving English language and in English studying and/or teaching.

What We Offer

  • course-books at all levels
  • language courses on DVD
  • fiction, readers, and talking books
  • feature films
  • songs and music on CDs, multimedia CD-ROMs
  • Business English on all levels
  • English for Special Purposes
  • British Studies
  • British magazines
  • materials for Cambridge Exams
  • materials for TOEFL Exams
  • methodology books
  • literature for English language teaching
  • language tests on all levels with keys

Language Levels

  • Beginner
  • Elementary
  • Pre-Intermediate
  • Intermediate
  • Upper-Intermediate
  • Advanced
  • Proficiency

Partnership

If you have any suggestions or proposals, please contact us.

British Council

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. Established in 1934, British Council has offices in more than 100 countries worldwide. The British Council runs programmes in the arts, science, sport, governance and English language to increase appreciation of the UK's creative ideas and achievements and build mutually beneficial relationships between people in the UK and other countries.

The British Council projects for ELT teachers and students include LearnEnglish, Teaching English or LearnEnglish Mobile.

The British Council also supports the British Centre in book ordering and provision of periodicals.

More information on current projects

Partner Libraries

The British Council cooperates with ten regional partner libraries. The libraries have different status and standards regarding membership.

The list of partner libraries

Publishers

In the Library, you will find the latest ELTL materials thanks to co-operation with representatives of British publishers focused on English Language Teaching and Learning. We also have available British publishers’ catalogues and price lists for reference.

The list of publishers (with contacts)

Useful Links

British Council - Information on projects and services of our main partner

Language School UPLIFT - Language School of the Faculty od Arts, Palacký University

Cambridge English - Information on Cambridge Exams

English in Britain - Accredited courses in UK

Education UK - British education online

Flo-Joe - Preparation to FCE and CAE

IELTS - Preparation to IELTS

TeachingEnglish - A platform designed for English teachers