In this thesis the activities of civic sector organisations (CSOs) in the field of foreign children's education in the Czech Republic and in the Netherlands are described. The aim is to analyze conditions which are in the field of foreign children's education in both countries, and methods and instruments which are used by CSOs. In the Netherlands there is a lot of experience with immigrants from all over the world so know how of Dutch CSOs can serve as an inspiration for Czech CSOs since in the CR there is lack of experience with immigrants. In both countries a qualitative research was done. The research was made on the basis of knowledge acquired in specialised literature. It includes semistructured interviews with CSOs members, and in the case of the Netherlands interviews with employees of two Dutch schools and with an expert on foreign children's education. In the research the information from CSOs websites were used and author's experience with volunteering for one of Czech CSO is used as well. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

Current practice in language teaching based on communicative approaches emphasizes the development of language skills. Opportunities are created for students to develop their language skills through social interaction based on pair and group work. Such interaction requires the use of interpersonal skills. If students do not feel confident about their interpersonal skills, they may be reluctant to take part in communicative activities, which require social interaction. Interpersonal skills are also important if students are to use their language skills in real life situations effectively and confidently. Gender and cultural differences related to interpersonal communication may have an impact on how successful students learn a foreign language. The study explores student confidence in interpersonal skills, the role that gender may play in interpersonal relationships, and also in fostering cultural activities that are aimed at the development of interpersonal communication. Such relationships have potential implications on the teaching of a foreign language in the classroom situation. This research was conducted at a Japanese university where the researcher is a lecturer and had full access to all the resources he needed. The same research was also conducted at Chinese, Russian, and Ghanaian universities, as well as at an international school in Saudi Arabia. Data was collected using questionnaires. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative methods in order to gain an in-depth understanding of the problem, and to probe the issues involved more extensively. Quantitative data was collected by means of a questionnaire that consisted of multiple-choice questions. Qualitative data was gathered by means of open-ended questions. Questionnaire results were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The research findings indicate that some students may lack confidence in social situations where the use of interpersonal skills is neglected. This research also found that females may be more comfortable and adept in interpersonal exchanges owing to some biological and cultural reasons. Findings also indicate that cultural differences that impact on interpersonal communication situations did not entirely support the findings from the literature review, particularly concerning the use of nonverbal communication by Japanese students. Recommendations based on research findings, are given concerning the development of interpersonal skills. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Didactics and Curriculum Studies)

В работе предпринято исследования российско-китайской межкультурной коммуникации и культурных различий. На основании компонентного анализа теорий лингвистики, социолингвистики, психолингвистики и лингвокультуры, посредством исследования влияния российско-китайской межкультурной коммуникации и культурных различий на преподавание иностранных языков дать общие предложения по повышению уровня преподавания иностранного языка. / The work undertakes research on Russian-Chinese intercultural communication and cultural differences. Based on the component analysis of the theories of linguistics, sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics and linguistic culture, through the study of the influence of Russian-Chinese intercultural communication and cultural differences on the teaching of foreign languages, to give general proposals for improving the level of teaching a foreign language.

Основной целью межкультурного перевода является содействие межкультурной коммуникации, то есть задача переводчика – познакомить носителей одной культуры с другой. В соответствии с этой целью переводчик должен соответствующим образом относиться к культурным элементам переводимого текста. В процессе перевода переводчики часто сталкиваются с проблемой лакун. Лакуна – это лингвистический или культурный факт, который имеет место в одной культуре, но отсутствует в другом языке или другой культуре. Актуальность исследования заключается в поиске решения феномена лакун в китайско-российской межкультурной коммуникации. В первой главе были объяснены понятия культуры, межкультурной коммуникации и перевода через обобщение и сравнение трактовок европейских и китайских исследователей. Во второй главе были проанализированы различия значений обыденных и символических реалий в России и Китае (религиозная символика и фразеология, цветовое восприятие, сфера питания, реклама, деловая переписка и др). В третьей главе были классифицированы основные проблемы перевода и межкультурной коммуникации, а также даны рекомендации по их устранению. / The main purpose of intercultural translation is to facilitate intercultural communication, i.e. the translator's task is to introduce native speakers of one culture to another. In line with this goal, the translator must treat the cultural elements of the text being translated accordingly. Translators are often confronted with the problem of cultural gaps in the translation process. A cultural gap is a linguistic or cultural fact that takes place in one culture but does not find a corresponding language or culture in the other culture.The relevance of the research is to find a solution to the phenomenon of cultural gaps in Sino-Russian intercultural materials in the light of naturalisation and legitimation theories. Based on these principles, specific approaches to dealing with cultural deficits are proposed. The first chapter explained the concepts of culture, intercultural communication and translation by summarising and comparing the interpretations of European and Chinese researchers. The second chapter analysed the differences in the meanings of everyday and symbolic realities in Russia and China (religious symbolism and phraseology, colour perception, food, advertising, business correspondence, etc.). In the third chapter, the main problems of translation and intercultural communication were classified and recommendations for their elimination were given.

The study explored the body image of Professional Black South African women, cultural expectations, and their experiences in Westernised working milieus, utilising a phenomenological approach and qualitative exploratory design, located within Constructionism. Data were collected through purposive sampling (and snowballing) through individual face-to-face voice-recorded semi-structured interviews with 11 participants in/around Gauteng. Analysis was done through content analysis utilising thematic networks (Attride-Stirling). Major findings: Western values have influenced participants; Lower weight and thinness do not automatically correspond with assumptions about HIV/AIDS, instead correspond with healthier lifestyle choices; Body shape not weight or size was the prominent area of focus for most participants; Clothes size determines perception of overweight; Overweight has consequences. Forty-five per cent of participants were content with their bodies, 18% dissatisfied/unhappy, 18% satisfied, one happy, one apathetic. Tswanas were generally smaller-figured; Zulus, Northern Sotho/Pedi, Xhosa in general traditionally expected full-bodied women. Overt expectations in the workplace were not found. / Psychology / Master of Arts (Psychology)

This thesis deals with problems of biological and cultural determinants influencing perception of beauty. It attempts to find out if there is a common biological basis of perception of beauty or if beauty represents merely a sociocultural construct - product of a specific culture. With respect to biological determinants it concerns biological processes significantly influencing perception of beauty. In this context, these processes include probably innate evolutionary adaptations, effects of brain cognitive systems and neural correlates processing perceptions of beautiful objects. In connection with cultural determinants it presents studies emphasizing cross-cultural differences in perception of beauty. Further subject of the thesis is an aesthetic conception of subjective and objective beauty and related concept of beauty based on mathematical relations. In this connection, the creation of universally beautiful objects based on fixed mathematical rules as well as the possibility of exact measurement of beauty are discussed.

The study explored the body image of Professional Black South African women, cultural expectations, and their experiences in Westernised working milieus, utilising a phenomenological approach and qualitative exploratory design, located within Constructionism. Data were collected through purposive sampling (and snowballing) through individual face-to-face voice-recorded semi-structured interviews with 11 participants in/around Gauteng. Analysis was done through content analysis utilising thematic networks (Attride-Stirling). Major findings: Western values have influenced participants; Lower weight and thinness do not automatically correspond with assumptions about HIV/AIDS, instead correspond with healthier lifestyle choices; Body shape not weight or size was the prominent area of focus for most participants; Clothes size determines perception of overweight; Overweight has consequences. Forty-five per cent of participants were content with their bodies, 18% dissatisfied/unhappy, 18% satisfied, one happy, one apathetic. Tswanas were generally smaller-figured; Zulus, Northern Sotho/Pedi, Xhosa in general traditionally expected full-bodied women. Overt expectations in the workplace were not found. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)