Language Catcher, language lessons with Katka Vanderpool. Speak without fear

English, French and Czech for foreigners with Katka Vanderpool. In person in Prague or online from anywhere.

Hi, I’m Katka

I’ve been teaching languages for over ten years. I have a master’s in education and state exams in English and French. I’ve spent time in France and Great Britain and a lot of it in the US, so I bring into lessons the way people there actually talk.

I teach teenagers and adults, from complete beginners to advanced. Most of them come to me wanting the same thing: to stop translating in their head and finally speak. So I build each lesson around what you need and what you enjoy.

And we laugh a lot. What makes you laugh is what you remember.

10+: years teaching
100+: students
3: languages

Katka Vanderpool in a black blazer, sitting on steps and smiling with her arms spread wide

What I can help with

English

From your first sentences to fluent conversation. General or specialised, for work, travel or school.

French

For beginners and advanced learners. Lots of speaking, a pronunciation that won’t give you away, and French culture along the way.

Czech for foreigners

For anyone living in Czechia or about to move here. I explain the grammar simply, in English or French if you like.

The A2 exam

One of my specialities: getting you ready for the Czech exam you need for permanent residence.

Exams and tutoring

The maturita (the Czech school-leaving exam), state language exams, tutoring and help with academic papers.

Job interviews

We’ll practise a job interview or a presentation in a foreign language, so you know what to say and how to say it.

I teach teenagers and adults, one-on-one, in pairs or in groups of three. In person in Prague, or online via Teams.

See the prices

How I teach

Every lesson picks up where the last one ended. Before we start, I check what went well last time, what didn’t, and how you feel today.

Speaking

You do most of the talking. We learn new words in conversations about things you care about, so you use them straight away.

Phrases for your life

Sentences you’ll actually use: at work, at the doctor’s, at a government office, or in the pub when you want to order another round.

Grammar without stress

I build new rules on what you already know from your own language or others. I keep explanations simple and you try them out in speech right away.

Pronunciation

We work on the sounds that trip you up, on stress and on sentence melody, so people understand you the first time.

Culture

How people in the country talk and live, what they laugh at, eat, listen to and watch. Among the locals you’re no longer just a tourist.

Materials

Every student gets their own Google Drive folder with interactive boards, pictures for new words and optional homework.

Student reviews

What students mention most is that the lessons are tailored to them and that they’re fun. I’ve left the reviews in Czech and English, just as they were written.

„Když ke Kate přijedu, má perfektně připravenou lekci ‚ušitou na míru‘. Mně jako unikátní osobnosti a mojí aktuální úrovni znalostí, o nichž si vede detailní přehled. A nejen to. Jezdím k ní skoro sto kilometrů autem a leckdy na lekci dorazím v ne úplně optimálním rozpoložení (D5, no comment). Kate dokáže operativně lekci přizpůsobit. Dostal jsem nabídky na výuku francouzštiny tam, kde bydlím, bez dojíždění, a za nižší cenu. Odmítl jsem. Neměnil bych ani za nic. Výuka s Kate je zábava.“

Petr D.French

„Kate je přátelská, milá a pečlivá. Všechny hodiny připravuje tak, aby byly zábavné a přesně na míru seděly mým potřebám. Vyhovuje mi i časová flexibilita a možnost doučování online. Nemohla jsem vybrat lépe!“

Denisa H.online lessons

“I’ve had many Czech classes and tutors, so I can say from my vast experiences that Katka is a superb tutor. She’s helped understand how I learn more which is very useful.”

Lisa N.Czech

„Kate je PECKA! Byla jsem začínající student AJ a za rok mě tato skvělá učitelka naučila mluvit a pochopit jazyk. Její hodiny jsou vždy kreativní, zábavné a hlavně postavené na míru. Její způsob výuky je ojedinělý a opravdu dokonalý, hlavně funguje. Měla jsem tu čest setkat se s ní osobně a její energie a úsměv mi dává chuť do života. Vždy se těším na její hodiny. Je mi 50 let a vůbec není čas ztrácet čas.“

Karolína V.English

“Learning foreign languages has never come easy to me, particularly a language as difficult as Czech. I’ve attempted to learn on a few separate occasions, but I never seemed to progress. Then I started going to Katka: her methodology and tailored lessons made learning interesting and fun, and the structure she brought made the concepts easier to grasp. And possibly most importantly, she took my language goals into consideration which also formed the basis of our lessons. And after less than a year of lessons with Katka, I achieved my goal of passing the A2 permanent residency exam! Moc děkuji Katko!”

Connor J.Czech, A2 exam

„Jsem šťastná, že mohu s Katkou svou angličtinu zlepšovat. Katka je velmi milá a sympatická lektorka, která vede výuku zábavnou a krásně srozumitelnou formou. Obdivuji, jak dokáže skvěle improvizovat, pokud se na cokoliv zeptám a potřebuji něco probrat mimo plán. Zároveň si cením, jakou má se mnou trpělivost a moc hezky umí motivovat ke studiu. Vždy se těším na další lekce a přeji mnoho dalších spokojených studentů.“

Jarka V.English

“Kate is absolutely BRILLIANT. I took Czech courses with her for 7 months and looked forward to each of the lessons. She adapted her classes to my specific needs, showed flexibility in real-life versus online lessons and helped me learn Czech faster by making links to other languages I know. I really loved our time together and cannot recommend her highly enough to anyone interested in learning.”

Ann V.Czech

“Katka has been such an incredible teacher to my partner and I, and I’m so thankful to have her. With a personal approach and understanding of our needs, she takes time to tailor each lesson making sure each builds on the last in a way that we’ll remember best. Her resources and instruction have been invaluable, and her flexibility and feedback have made learning a very daunting language really fun and always engaging. I’m looking forward to continuing my Czech studies with Kate, well beyond preparation for the A2 exam, and thank her so much for her support and encouragement since we started together in January. Karim and I can’t speak highly enough of Kate and how she structures her lessons and time with us, like hanging out with a friend and leaving more confident in something she makes so attainable. Huge thank you for this, Katka!!”

Rebecca H.Czech, A2 exam, as a pair

“Czech classes with Kate are so wonderful, I really can’t recommend her enough! I always look forward to our lessons, and I really appreciate how much effort she puts into them. She’s amazing!!”

Barrie A.Czech

“I cannot speak too highly of Katka as a teacher. She is enthusiastic, positive and professional. Her lessons are well-organised and she always keeps them on track without getting diverted into small talk. She gets her points across clearly and simply, making it easy to learn. Most amazingly, she makes grammar fun. She is a truly inspiring teacher.”

Andrew Y.Czech

“Káťa is an amazing person! Up to now, I’ve had two English teachers. Káťa is my third and it’s a whole different level with her. She’s so positive all the time, she’s super funny and her teaching style is terrific. You can tell she loves what she does and she gives everything to it. Káťa is perfectly prepared for every single lesson. Because of her, I’m not that scared to speak in English anymore. Those phrases and slang words she’s taught me so far, that are really usable in a common conversation. I just love it! So if you are looking for a great teacher, choose Káťa! You’ll definitely never regret it!”

Leona V.English

“After 6 years of living in Prague and many many Czech teachers, Katka is the one who finally made me keep with it. Her lessons are fun and interesting and she always comes prepared with tons of different types of materials for all styles of learning. You can tell that she really loves her job and her students. She is so positive and supportive, I can’t recommend her enough. On top of that, she helped me successfully prepare for the A2 exam. I would recommend Katka to anyone looking for a highly experienced teacher who makes learning fun at the same time.”

Meleana S. M.Czech, A2 exam

„Moc jsem si to zatím užil a bavilo mě to, a hlavně jsi mi hrozně pomohla, jak s reparátem, tak s maturitou, myslím, že jsem se docela hodně naučil a hlavně jsem se přestal bát mluvit.“

Tomáš V.maturita

„Lekce s Káťou vždy stojí za to. Je opravdu skvělá učitelka. S angličtinou jsem začínal od úplných základů a vždy byla pozorná a trpělivá. Vidím u sebe obrovský pokrok. Vřele doporučuji!“

Lukáš L.English

“I had a fantastic experience with Kate! Her personalized approach to teaching is truly impressive. She was able to adapt her lessons to my learning style, making the sessions both effective and enjoyable. Apart from that, Kate is a wonderful person. She’s always friendly, positive, energized, and creates a warm learning environment. I highly recommend her to anyone looking to learn or improve their Czech language skills.”

Mohamad D.Czech

“Katka is by far the best Czech teacher I have come across, who has helped me pass the dreaded A1 level exam. Each class that she comes up with is highly customized and formulated to the student’s preferences and personal traits! She spends a good amount of time getting to know you and this clearly reflects in how the lectures come along. Every bit of the learning process is absolute fun and entertaining! Thanks a lot for all the effort you have put in, Kate! And looking forward to many more classes. Absolutely recommended!”

Himanshu C.Czech, A1 exam

“Katka is an exceptionally effective teacher who always creates an exciting and fun educational environment. In our first lesson I mentioned that I wanted the focus to be on practical, conversational Czech that stretched beyond the limits of what I already knew how to do and what I’d been taught in the somewhat dry classrooms of other group courses: order taxis, get my round in at the bar and decide what to eat in a restaurant. Oh, and sometimes remember the genders of common words. I would recommend her without a second’s hesitation, prevarication or deviation because she has completely smashed that target in a very short time and challenging Covid circumstances. Tens of Czech-speaking friends have commented on how much Czech I’m now able to confidently and fluently produce. Much of that is testament to Katka’s brilliant skill as an educator and creator and curator of content specifically tailored to drive towards learning aims. Díky za všechno, co jsi mě zatím naučila, Katko. Těším se na pokračování naší dlouhodobé spolupráce!”

Marc M.Czech

“Katka is a fantastic teacher! She is always happy, and makes learning a comfortable and fun experience. She always works to find engaging new ways to explain and practice the various grammatical concepts and new vocabulary. She is also a flexible teacher, and tailors the lessons to the individual needs and preferences of each student. Since starting lessons with her, I feel so much more confident in my abilities in Czech, and she has helped me not only to improve my linguistic skills, but also to adjust to life in Prague. If you are looking for a language teacher, I cannot think of anyone more qualified for the job. No matter what your needs or goals, Katka will work with you to achieve them and make sure you have a lot of fun along the way! Thanks for everything, Katka!”

Liana E.Czech

“Not understanding the local language leaves you at a disadvantage if you plan to live abroad. For non-Slavic language learners Czech can be one of the more difficult. When I moved to Prague in 2013 I naïvely assumed I would be able to ‘pick up’ the language by proximity. I soon found language lessons would be necessary. After trying group lessons with limited progress, I decided to try private lessons and was lucky to find Katka. She offers a personalized approach to learning the language that is tailored to each individual student. She is an encouraging coach when the nuances of Czech grammar become frustrating. Improvement may be difficult to appreciate week-to-week, but in the long view the growth has been tremendous. As a testament to a great teacher, I can now communicate in Czech and am preparing for the citizenship exams with her guidance. Cannot recommend enough!”

Alex D.Czech

“Kate is a fabulous teacher who always comes prepared with interesting and fun lessons! She is so knowledgeable when it comes to the language, that she makes even something as difficult as Czech grammar easy to understand. She’s super encouraging and always finds fun tips and tricks to help me remember things. Highly recommend!”

Amanda M. B.Czech

“Thanks to Kate is my English getting better. Kate prepared me for state exam one year ago. She enriches me with her perfect English every week. Her lessons are always funny and natural. I would say that Kate is 100% prepared for each lesson. In addition to that Kate usually adds something special that interests me a lot and is also able to motivate you in your daily life. Thank you, Kate!”

Markéta K.English, state exam

„Hodiny s Kaťou oproti jiným jazykovým lekcím, co jsem absolvovala, vynikaly osobním přístupem a uvolněnou atmosférou. Káťa umí navrhnout hodiny na míru Vašim zájmům a potřebám. Nikdy jsem z hodiny neodcházela smutná, že mi jazyk nejde nebo zahlcená gramatikou či slovíčky. Hodiny byly vždy zábavné a odcházela jsem se spoustou tipů na různé filmy, písničky a podcasty, které mi pomáhaly s učením jazyka. S Káťou bylo fajn, že se člověk necítil jako ve škole pod tlakem, že řekne něco špatně. Naopak mi Káťa pomohla s mojí nejistotou z konverzace. Káťu vřele doporučuji. Je to nejmilejší učitelka jazyka, jakou jsem poznala.“

Gábi P.

„Kate je skvělý člověk a vynikající lektorka s individuálním přístupem, která je vždy perfektně připravena na každou lekci. Výborně se přizpůsobuje potřebám studenta a vždy se mu snaží vycházet vstříc. Výuka s ní je dost často spíš zábava a relax než strohá lekce angličtiny, zkrátka ‚škola hrou‘ v praxi. Kdyby to Jan Amos viděl, asi by měl orgasmus.“

Jaroslav F.English

“For me it is really important to get along with the person I spend time with! And I just totally fell in love with the way Katka is teaching! My relatives and friends noticed that I made a huge progress in Czech. The lectures are organized with her own methodology, with professional and individual approach. I enjoyed the lessons with Katka a lot and I can highly recommend them!”

Alisa A. J.Czech

“Katka is an extraordinary and effective teacher who always creates an exciting lesson. Great choice start to improve my English with Katka.”

Šárka V.English

“What can I say about my 5 lessons with amazing Kate? Kate is incredible teacher who taught me a lot during only 5 lessons. Her form of teaching me was super fun. I really wanted to keep talking to her every week. I really enjoyed every single lesson and I would like to have another and another but now I am too busy so maybe we will continue in the summer. I am super excited. THANK YOU, Kate!”

Barča V.English

“Great, educative and useful lessons for practical use such as preparing for a job interview. Highly recommended Learn & Teach with Kate.”

Tomáš F.job interview

„Kateřina je super, velmi přátelská a empatická. Hodiny AJ mne posouvají kupředu a vidím u sebe jasný progres. Určitě doporučuji.“

Vendula K.English

„Když mám zhodnotit naše hodiny po dobu nějakých 4 let, napadají mě jen samý skvělý věci. Díky tobě jsem se měla možnost naučit skvělý fráze, slangy a další super vychytávky. Navíc hodiny nebyly formální, jako to jiní dělají. Díky tvému kamarádskému a optimistickému přístupu byla vždy uvolněná atmosféra, a já tak neměla vůbec pocit, že mám hodinu konverzace. Jseš skvělej člověk a jsem moc ráda, že jsem měla právě tebe a mohla jsem tě poznat! Mám tě moc ráda!!“

Lucie M.

„Katka mi byla doporučená jako skvělá učitelka. Ale toto? Takhle se dá učit cizí jazyk? Naprosto vše předčilo mé očekávání. Kate je naprosto úžasná, výjimečný individuální přístup podpořen ohromujícími zkušenostmi. Kate, thank you for the incredible experience and my knowledge of English.“

Petr J.English

“Language lessons with Katka are much more than grammatical immersion. Katka’s attention to detail and empathetic approach to her students’ needs and goals create a sustainable and immediately applicable development to my personal language journey. Her care and dedication to each of our individual processes truly accelerate the growth of my skills, while making each class exceptionally enjoyable and entertaining. She truly is on the forefront of her industry.”

John

“I admire that Katka tries to use students’ interests and has practical experience. Katka’s classes are both fun & funny and she is always open to learning new stuff.”

Petr P.

„Katka má osobní přístup ke každému studentovi, bere v potaz jeho zkušenosti, věk, jeho nejúčinnější metodu zapamatování. Prokládá učivo zábavnými hrami, písničkami nebo doplňovačkami. Snaží se do vás dostat jazyk na vaši potřebnou úroveň. Ještě k tomu je milá, sympatická a je s ní legrace, je stále dobře naložená.“

Jana H.

„Kačenka už mě učí od mých 15 let a myslím si, že mně velmi pomohla s mojí angličtinou. Už se nebojím mluvit, tak jako dřív. Nikdy jsem nezažila hodinu, která by mě nebavila. Je to prostě skvělá učitelka. Vždy když něco nechápu, tak se mi to snaží vysvětlit zábavnou formou, díky které si to lépe pamatuju. Díky, Kači!“

Denča M.English

„Kačí je takové naše sluníčko, díky kterému jsem se přestala bát angličtiny. Je to skvělá učitelka, která ví, jak na to. Její hodiny jsou zábavné, vždy děláme, co zrovna potřebuji nebo mě baví. Nebyla jediná věc, se kterou mi Kačenka nepomohla. Jestli se chcete těšit na hodiny angličtiny nebo jiného jazyka, určitě bych neváhala ani vteřinu.“

Terka M.English

„Já jsem nadmíru spokojena, přímo nadšena mou učitelkou angličtiny Káťou Vanderpool. Vydává ze sebe při každé lekci to nejlepší a prožívá ji s Vámi. Nic jí neunikne a každou maličkost s Vámi procvičí do detailu. Je velmi pohotová, má skvěle propracovaný systém a ani pomůckami nešetří. Je poznat, že tráví hodně času přípravami na každou lekci. Každému bych Káťu doporučila. Navíc konverzace s ní je, jako když mluvíte s rodilým mluvčím. Jen tak dál, Kate!“

Alena M.English

„Ráda bych doporučila lektorku Káťu. Na každou naši lekci se těším. Káťa je přátelská a vždy se snaží vyjít vstříc mým požadavkům. Jsem ráda, že ji mám.“

Hana K.English

“Katka is an amazing teacher! She individualizes each class to the student(s) and allows for learning tangents and improvisations when students have questions. I highly recommend her!!”

Leah M.as a pair

„Kolik jazyků umíš, tolikrát jsi člověkem! Pomáháme nejen zvířátkům, ale našim přátelům, kterých si vážíme za to, co umí a co pro nás dělají. Proto bychom rádi doporučili všem, kteří se chtějí dále posouvat a vzdělávat se v jazykových dovednostech, naši ‚bestteacherever‘ Katku. Proč právě Katie? Dostala nás svým osobním přístupem, funny programem, cool hláškami a hlavně vždy nice náladou! Díky které se vždy, i po náročném dni plném operací, na hodiny těšíme!! Navíc vše probíhá z pohodlí domova po skypu. So, don’t be shy and contact her now!!!“

Mirka & David B.as a pair, online lessons

“The English lessons are very relaxed, without stress. Katka knows how to create a laid-back atmosphere. We both like to laugh, so it is really great.”

Dagmar B.English

“Your services are really good. Every lesson was different with different exercises (grammar, listening, reading etc) which is great. And when I talked you respond immediately on my mistakes and you told me right sentence or phrase which is also great. You can prepare lesson precisely for students needs and I really like your new system. The only thing that I had problems with was my slow netbook and sometimes bad connection but I know that isn’t your fault.”

Pavel D.

“Good teacher at the listening of their student, adapt the classes following the level of the student and also what he expect from the lesson, use different support and method for learn and with this the student can’t be bored by the classes.”

Alexandre A.

„Hello Kate, jsem moc rád, že si mě mohla učit, fakt je to s tebou zábava a hodně naučíš.“

Tommy V.

More reviews on Facebook

Katka in a yellow jacket and wide jeans in front of a pink background, smiling and looking up

What it costs

Lessons come in bundles of five. The more bundles, the bigger the discount.

Lesson length

How many of you

5 lessons

1 bundle

CZK 5,950

CZK 1,190 per lesson

Base price

Choose 5 lessons

15 lessons

3 bundles, 3% off

CZK 17,315

CZK 1,154 per lesson

You save CZK 535

Choose 15 lessons

25 lessons

5 bundles, 5% off

CZK 28,263

CZK 1,131 per lesson

You save CZK 1,487

Choose 25 lessons

40 lessons

8 bundles, 7% off

CZK 44,268

CZK 1,107 per lesson

You save CZK 3,332

Choose 40 lessons

The first lesson costs the same as one lesson from a bundle, so CZK 1,190. Then you decide whether to carry on.

In pairs or groups of three, each person pays CZK 5,575 for a bundle of 60-minute lessons, or CZK 8,550 for 90 minutes. Just you: CZK 5,950, or CZK 8,925 for 90 minutes.

You can mix bundles and buy anywhere from 1 to 8 at once. If I come to you, I charge CZK 475 per hour of travel.

How to start

A few minutes
First, write to me: which language, and when you’re free.
A short call
Then we talk about what you need and where you are now.
First lesson
Next comes the first lesson. You pay just for that one and see if my style suits you.
5 lessons and more
If it does, you pick a bundle and a regular time that works for you.

Lesson rules

48 hours: That’s how far ahead you can cancel or move a lesson. A lesson cancelled later counts as taught.
Mon to Thu: I teach from 8 am to 7 pm. If you need a different time, we’ll work it out.
1 move: In each bundle you can push one lesson to the next week. With more bundles, several lessons in a row.
7 days: To pay the invoice. You pay by bank transfer, always before the first lesson of a new bundle.
CZK 475: Travel fee per hour when I come to you.

A missed lesson without notice, arriving late, or cancelling less than 48 hours ahead: I’m afraid that lesson counts as used.

If payment is 8 to 14 days late, there’s a CZK 400 fee. After 15 days I release your reserved slot and we’ll need to book a new one.

In the payment message, write your surname and a code, for example 15_60 for fifteen 60-minute lessons. The account number and variable symbol are on the invoice.

Online lessons need a stable connection. If the tech fails on my side, we move the lesson to your usual time.

For students under 18, I stay in touch with their parents about scheduling.

I’ll email you the invoice as a PDF. You can pay for several bundles at once.

Common questions

Didn’t find your answer? Write to me.

How fast will I see progress?

Usually sooner than you expect, and mainly where it matters most: in conversation. After a few lessons you’ll notice you translate less in your head and speak more freely. A lot depends on how often we meet.

Can I try one lesson first?

Of course. You pay for the first lesson like any regular lesson, and then decide whether you want a bundle.

How many lessons should I buy?

After the first lesson, the smallest bundle is 5 lessons. You can buy up to eight at once, which is 40 lessons. For 15, 25 or 40 lessons you get 3, 5 or 7% off.

How many lessons a week is ideal?

It depends on how much time you want to put in and how our calendars look. If we both have room, several times a week works too, intensive lessons included.

Can I cancel or move a lesson?

Yes, at least 48 hours in advance. In each bundle you can push one lesson to the next week, either to your usual time or another one that suits you.

How many people can join one lesson?

One to three. Some people want the lesson all to themselves, others learn with a friend or a family member at a similar level. In two or three it’s cheaper, and a bit of friendly competition only helps.

Where do lessons take place?

Online via Teams or another platform. Or in person in Prague: in a café near me, at my place, or I can come to you for a small fee.

Can I switch between online and in person?

Yes, if we plan it ahead. Switching to online is always easy. In person works best when the place is close to me or on my way from another lesson. We can change the location if it’s a similar distance.

Will I get any materials?

Every student has their own Google Drive folder with interactive boards, pictures for new words, optional homework and anything we share during lessons.

Can you prepare me for the A2 exam for permanent residence?

Yes, it’s one of my specialities, and my students pass it. I also prepare people for the maturita, state exams in English and French, and job interviews.

When and how do I pay?

Before the first lesson of each new bundle. I’ll send you a PDF invoice and you pay by bank transfer within 7 days.

What will you need from me?

Your name, email and phone number, where you’d like the lessons (if you’re in Prague), a Gmail address for our shared Google Drive folder, and an address for the invoice.

Write to me

katerina.vanderpool@gmail.com +420 733 395 686

Prague and onlineIn person in Prague, online via Teams from anywhere.

Mon to Thu, 8 am to 7 pmAnother time? Write to me and we’ll sort it out.

I’ll reply soonI’ll write back and we’ll set up a short call.

FacebookLanguage Catcher on Facebook