Balancing in the land of bouncing Czechs: Problems with learning English... ;-)

After 12 years of living in Czech Republic, and 6 and a half years of teaching at SGO, I think I have a fairly good idea of some of the more common problems that Czechs have when learning to speak English - which is also helped by the fact that my Czech has also improved, thus helping me to sympathise with some of the students.

As the New Year begins, and Maturita draws near, allow me to make some things clear, especially for my current students - though I'm sure some ex-students might appreciate this too ;-) The following is a list of the more regular errors - it is not an exhaustive list (I'm working on that!) - but I really believe that if every student could correct these faults, then their English would be so much better :-)

Informations - this word has never, ever existed - the problem is when Czechs translate it, they usually begin with the word 'many...(informations)...' - delete 'informations' from your brain! Try using 'a lot of', or 'much' or even 'some' instead...and it will help.
walking in the nature - this could be an embarrassing mistake, as it sounds like 'walking in the natural', which to an English person would sound like 'walking naked'! Now, some students just might go walking naked in the...countryside (the correct word, of course!) - but it is quite rare, especially in this weather! So...please use the word 'countryside'. You can like nature, you can enjoy it, but don't go for a walk in it :P
no 'must' in the past tense!! Very simply - must is used in the present or future...NEVER in the past...unless you're story-telling (and then it gets a bit more complicated...)
'he say me/he said me', 'he tell me' – please, please, please...stop saying this!! 'He said to me...', or 'He told me...' Work on your tenses ;-)
No – 'the' London/'the' England – or most place names...there are only a few exceptions...(the USA, the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom etc...) but not for a capital city!! Cut it out of your vocabulary!
the difference between 'recipe' & 'receipt' - usually mixed up because of the Czech word 'recept' - which, depending on the context can mean both of the aforementioned words...or even (the one they always seem to forget!) 'prescription' - yes, that piece of paper you get from the doctors for your medicine which you can't remember the name of ;-)
correct use of 'inspiration' – not 'inspirated by' – someone can be an inspiration, you can be inspired by someone/something...but 'inspirated'...uh-hu...no!!
not 'in these days' – just 'these days' or 'nowadays' - English people NEVER say 'in these days' - learn one of the other options...
no 'at first' – use 'first of all' or 'to begin with' - 'at first' can be used in some story-telling...but mostly, Czechs are looking for the other options...
the difference between 'action' & 'event' - a problem because of the Czech word 'akce'... - Action is something active - like Bruce Willis or Chuck Norris - it's action... an Event is the thing that is happening...the event is a football match, the action is the football (unless you're an Aston Villa fan, then that won't make any sense at all to you!) - a wedding is the event...the action...that's the kissy-face part ;-)
no such word as 'sympatik' !!! - Best to say that someone is 'kind or friendly'...the problem is the word 'sympathetic', which has a different meaning to what the Czechs usually mean...
'nice' – increase your vocabulary!! It's worth looking on the internet to discover the history of the word 'nice'... ;-) It used to mean 'nasty'! But it is lazy English to use it too much (even some teachers can't stop over-using it!) - and if I have to mark an essay & see 'nice' 4 or more times, then I know it shows a lack of vocabulary & ability to express oneself...use other words. For example - NO man wants to be called 'nice'...'handsome,brave, warrior' are much better...and what young woman wants to be called 'nice'? Surely 'beautiful, lovely, gorgeous' are better? ;-)
pronunciation: comfortable/vegetable etc - yes, I know...even teachers have problems with this!! But please learn how to say these words correctly...and even argue with your teachers, if you have to! You have MY permission, as I've told them about it! :D
Bird, Beard, Bear, Beer!! Use the correct word! - it is amazing how many times students mix these words up, and in Maturita I am told that I have a 'bird' on my face, there is a Great Beer Lake in Canada, a 'beard' is singing in the tree, and would I like to go to the pub for a 'bear'?!
careful of getting words/phrases mixed up: 'ozone lawyer' - this can be amusing to make such mistakes - but it can happen when you stretch your vocabulary...so, don't be afraid!
mental/physical/spiritual etc – explain - again, a problem because of the word 'psychický' - which means that Czechs can mix up physical with mental...very simply:mental - thought/thinking...physical - body...spiritual - spirit/soul...
travel – 'by foot' is old-fashioned...keep it simple...in England we...walk ;-)
to live/stay somewhere - a problem because of the word 'bydlet' - but we 'stay' in a hotel or with friends...and we always 'live'...at home... ;-)