Literature, while perceived as beneficial, is not widely used in the ESL arena. This study set out to investigate proven benefits of using literature in ESL through a review of the current research, at the same time establishing a link between literature and narrative based on `story grammar' which biological determinism claims the human brain is hardwired to use as a language learning tool. Hypothesizing that there would be no correlation between theory regarding the presence and application of literature in ESL as presented in the current research and the practice as found in the prominent ESL course, New Headway, the study set out to identify narrative input in New Headway's Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced Levels and analyzing the way in which narrative is used to teach language skills and communicative competence. Contrary to expectations a surprisingly high level of narrative was found and the narrative was exploited in full accordance with suggestions made in the current research. The findings indicate that the incorporation of narrative in New Headway is a pedagogically informed decision by the authors to exploit the benefits of literature while at the same time catering to a very heterogeneous audience of international ESL learners. Key terms: literature, narrative, story, biological determinism, ESL course books, New Headway / English Studies / M.Ed.

Literature, while perceived as beneficial, is not widely used in the ESL arena. This study set out to investigate proven benefits of using literature in ESL through a review of the current research, at the same time establishing a link between literature and narrative based on `story grammar' which biological determinism claims the human brain is hardwired to use as a language learning tool. Hypothesizing that there would be no correlation between theory regarding the presence and application of literature in ESL as presented in the current research and the practice as found in the prominent ESL course, New Headway, the study set out to identify narrative input in New Headway's Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced Levels and analyzing the way in which narrative is used to teach language skills and communicative competence. Contrary to expectations a surprisingly high level of narrative was found and the narrative was exploited in full accordance with suggestions made in the current research. The findings indicate that the incorporation of narrative in New Headway is a pedagogically informed decision by the authors to exploit the benefits of literature while at the same time catering to a very heterogeneous audience of international ESL learners. Key terms: literature, narrative, story, biological determinism, ESL course books, New Headway / English Studies / M.Ed.

5 ABSTRACT The present paper deals with the development of reading skills of adult learners of Chinese as a foreign language (CFL) in Czech language schools and its support provided by three different Chinese language course books. Even though there are various Chinese language course books available on the market, the attention these pay to reading comprehension and its development, is still rather limited. The present master thesis proposes classroom techniques which might be used to address this problem during CFL lessons. The first chapter presents findings and recommendations based on research into the development of foreign language reading skills in general, which are, in the second chapter, subsequently followed by a summary of research findings focusing specifically on teaching reading in CFL. The demands on course books raised by researchers in both fields are then applied to reading texts and accompanying exercises included in three pre-intermediate level CFL course books, New Practical Chinese Reader (Liu et al., 2002), Boya Chinese (Lǐ et al., 2005) and Discover China (Qi et al., 2010). The outcome of the the thesis consists of 21 designed lesson plans which propose solutions to some of the issues raised in the theoretical part of the thesis. The lesson plans indicate how course book texts...

The thesis is devoted to the specificity of playing the piano preschool children. It combines the knowledge of developmental psychology, psychology of music and piano methodology with their reflection in practical teaching piano. The work is divided into five chapters, which i s based on key publications and developmental psychology of music in the Czech republic, theoretical works of contemporary piano teachers, piano course books and a survey carried out in the framework of a diploma thesis. The first chapter deals with the level of psychological development of preschool age and its reflection in piano lessons. The second chapter discusses the level of musical abilities of the child at the same age. Chapter three outlines further specifics in teaching pre-school children, dedicated to personalities of pupil and teacher as the main creators of the educational process, it refers to the methods used in teaching and not least about the role of parents in the education of their child. The fourth chapter summarizes the methodology selected piano teaching materials suitable for teaching children of preschool age. Final Chapter complements the work of the views of piano teachers on teaching preschool children.