This diploma thesis focuses on foreign language teaching to children with specific learning difficulties (LD) at Czech lower secondary schools. It aims to define learning difficulties and describe their causes and manifestations in developing individual foreign language skills and sub-skills. Moreover, the work with these children in the school environment is mentioned and the Czech system of educating them is compared to the French one. The practical part surveys the opinions of foreign language teachers on this subject and analyses the techniques they use with these pupils. Special attention is paid to the differences in the approach of teachers at schools with classes specialized in the tuition of children with LD, schools with extensive language teaching and schools with no specialization. The results indicate that the majority of teachers agree with the integration of pupils with LD into mainstream schools and they favour their exemption from second foreign language study. The individual types of schools differ mainly in the approach towards the presentation of new grammar, in the types of exercises used for the development of communication skills and in the forms of testing and evaluation. Only negligible variations were discovered in other areas of research. KEYWORDS specific learning...

PhD (English) / Department of English / See the attached abstract below

In response to the covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the Swedish National Agency for Education and the Public Health Agency of Sweden recommended that all upper secondary schools in Sweden would temporarily transition to distance education. A report was simultaneously ordered by the Swedish School Inspectorate, which would monitor the effects the distance education had on Swedish upper secondary schools. The report found that many areas of the Swedish upper secondary school had suffered during the period of distance education. The purpose for this essay is to examine how the findings of the report corresponds with the experiences in German teaching at upper secondary level, one year after the publishing of the original report. An interview with a teacher of German was conducted, who had spent the last three semesters teaching German in an upper secondary school, which mostly was spent via online teaching due to the recommendations from the Public Health Agency. The findings suggest that most of the negative consequences highlighted by the report coincide with the experiences in teaching of German as a foreign language, although many of the findings also apply to other parts of the schoolsystem as well. The findings, furthermore, seem to indicate that certain aspects of what was highlighted by the report could potentially affect foreign language teaching especially, as language learning depends on interactional factors to be successful. The gradual return of present learning has also created a situation of hybrid learning, which only seem to affect certain parts of the school system, German teaching included. To combat similar situations with negative effects in the future, this essay aims to discuss ways in which to actively work towards a teaching approach that is affected to a lesser extent than have been monitored during the covid-19 pandemic. Ways in which to improve future teaching include actively fostering good motivational practices and adapting to working methods which combine the positives of both present and online teaching practices.

Title of the master's thesis: Augmented reality (AR) and its possibilities of use in education: Evaluation of the contribution of AR for teaching vocabulary in German based on a comparison of classical and experimental learning methods Abstract: This master's thesis focuses on the use of augmented reality (AR) in the context of education. AR currently represents a dynamically evolving technology. The aim was to explore the benefits of using AR for foreign language teaching, to compare the possibilities of didactic application with the traditional way of teaching and to find out whether learning with AR is a motivating factor stimulating students' interest and a tool for better understanding and memorizing through visualization and acting on emotions. The theoretical part of the work presented the characteristics of augmented reality, its types and areas of use and compared it with virtual and mixed reality. It briefly mentioned the history of AR, the advantages and negative aspects of the use of this method, the current state of research in language didactics and cases of the use of AR in education in the Czech Republic and abroad. In the practical part, a web interface was created using the Model Viewer tool, which allows users to view 3D objects in augmented reality. Then, quantitative research was...

The aim of this thesis was to study English teachers' approaches, methods and beliefs that link to teaching grammar to students in Sweden. The research has revolved around how frequently grammar is taught, what approaches are used and what methods are favored by English teachers in Swedish secondary and upper secondary schools. The respondents were 51 teachers recruited through a convenient sampling in the Facebook group “Nätverk för lärare i engelska”. The study used a mixed method with a survey as the data collection instrument. The results show that English teachers in secondary schools and upper secondary schools in Sweden occasionally use grammar teaching. On a four-grade scale ranging from Very Occasionally to Very Often the mean response was 2.36. In terms of preferred approach, the results indicated that a planned approach was preferred by a small margin. These results are in contradiction to previous research on English grammar teaching in Sweden which shows that teachers prefer an incidental approach to grammar teaching. The present study indicates that teachers favored interactive methods of grammar teaching. The two most favored methods were the Task-Based method where students complete tasks in pairs or groups, and the Communicative Language Teaching where students learn through discussions. Analyzing teachers’ beliefs on grammar teaching, the present study focused on the open-ended questions in the survey. The responses indicated that context to grammar teaching is extremely vital according to the teachers who responded to the survey. As previously mentioned, the present study contradicts previous studies in terms of preferred approach to grammar teaching. However, the present study coincides with previous research in terms of preferred methods both in international research but also in Sweden specifically, which is that teachers prefer interactive methods of grammar teaching that involve inductive learning.

No description available.

Chapter one of this study outlines some of the problems encountered in education today, with particular reference to the 'relevance gap'. This is taken to mean that the education which learners receive does not adequately prepare them for life, i.e. academic life, social life and their later career. The South African scenario is described briefly, with the focus on English language teaching and learning. The importance of English language skills is underlined. This chapter also includes a discussion on the writer's awareness of the problem, the research proposal, aims and method of the study plus a definition of terms. The next chapter argues that the curriculum is at the centre of the education endeavour and indicates that a relevant curriculum is one that (a) is dynamic, (b) focuses on the learner, (c) considers the context within which and for which the learning takes place and (d) includes all the relevant role-players and stakeholders in its design and development. A set of guidelines for developing and implementing a relevant curriculum, are then suggested based on this assumption. This is followed by a description of the traditional curriculum model, as proposed by Robert Zais (1976), and the outcomes-based approach to curriculum design, development and implementation proposed by William Spady (1993). The latter formed the basis for the development of Curriculum 2005 currently being implemented in South Africa. This section serves to illustrate the differences between these two approaches with regard to the principles underlying the approaches and the elements which determine the structure of the curriculum. In chapter four the researcher attempts to evaluate the traditional curriculum and the outcomesbased approach descn"bed in Chapter 3 on the basis of the guidelines for a relevant curriculum outlined previously, i.e. to what degree do these two models satisfy the need for: * a dynamic curriculum which is true to life and responsive to changes within society; * a focus on learner needs and aptitudes; * a careful consideration of the context within which and for which the learning is taking place; and * the inclusion of the relevant stakeholders and role-players in its design, development and implementation. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Didactics).

Ce travail se donne pour objectif d’étudier le potentiel que présente le support pictural pour ce qui de développer l’expression orale en FLE. Les oeuvres d’art sont censées constituer, dans ce cadre, un déclencheur de la créativité et de l’imagination incitant les apprenants à s’exprimer de façon authentique, spontanée et, plus généralement, individuelle.Afin d’appréhender cette problématique, l’auteur analyse d’abord les valeurs éducatives de la peinture, relatives à la créativité et à l’imagination. Ensuite, il se concentre sur l’importance de l’intention personnelle dans la communication, d’un côté, dans le processus de l’élocution, et de l’autre, dans les échanges communicatifs. Enfin, la dernière partie des considérations théoriques embrasse une perspective résolument didactique, en analysant de manière critique les pratiques pédagogiques actuelles, en ce qui concerne l’exploitation du support pictural.La partie empirique comprend un compte rendu d’une recherche action, menée auprès d’un groupe d’étudiants polonais de FLE, afin de vérifier les conclusions théoriques. Le projet pédagogique, sous forme d’un entraînement à la créativité, recourt largement au support pictural, en visant à rendre les étudiants plus autonomes et plus authentiques dans leur manière de penser et de s’exprimer en FLE. Le projet permet de recueillir de riches données, analysées ensuite sous l’angle du potentiel didactique de la démarche appliquée.En somme, tant les considérations théoriques que l’étude empirique semblent confirmer la thèse que les tâches basées sur l’interprétation des oeuvres picturales stimulent le développement d’une compétence orale réellement personnalisée, tout en accroissant la créativité des apprenants. / This PhD dissertation aimed at examining stimulating aspects of painting in thedevelopment of the speaking skill in French as a foreign language. Following the assumed thesis, the author believes that a personalized contact with works of art activates in learners deposits of creativity and imagination, making them conducive to expressing their thoughts and beliefs in an authentic and spontaneous way, and in a broader perspective – personally.The theoretical part of the dissertation explores educational values of painting in its impact on creativity and imagination. It also discusses the role of personal communicative intention, analyzed from the perspective of speaking and communication. The final remarks in this part focus on the practical applications of works of art in the classroom and on a critical analysis of various techniques which resort to paintings.The empirical part of the dissertation documents a comprehensive action research carried out among a group of Polish students studying French philology. A research project designed by the author in the form of creativity training refers to paintings, and is supposed to foster students’ autonomy and authenticity in thinking and self-expression. The study provided an extensive collection of data, which have been analyzed for their applicability in the classroom.Concluding, both the theoretical considerations and the empirical research seem to justify the thesis that tasks based on interpreting paintings not only stimulate the development of students’ personal communicative competence, but also support their creativity. / Celem niniejszej pracy doktorskiej było zbadanie stymulacyjnych walorów malarstwaw zakresie kształtowania sprawności wypowiadania się w języku francuskim jako obcym. Zgodnie z przyjętą tezą, osobisty kontakt z dziełami sztuki wyzwala u uczących się pokłady kreatywności i wyobraźni, skłaniając ich do wyrażania odnośnych myśli i sądów w sposób autentyczny i spontaniczny, a mówiąc ogólniej – osobisty.Teoretyczna część pracy rozpatruje walory edukacyjne malarstwa w aspekcie jego oddziaływania na kreatywność i wyobraźnię, a dalej zajmuje się rolą osobistej intencji komunikacyjnej analizowanej z perspektywy wypowiadania się i komunikacji. Końcowe refleksje tej części rozprawy skupiają się na dydaktycznym wykorzystaniu dzieł oraz na krytycznej analizie różnorodnych praktyk dydaktycznych opartych na obrazie.Z kolei część empiryczna referuje obszerne badanie w działaniu przeprowadzone wśród grupy polskojęzycznych studentów filologii romańskiej. Zaproponowany przez autora pracy projekt dydaktyczny w formie treningu kreatywności odwołuje się do malarstwa, co ma sprzyjać rozwojowi autonomii i autentyczności w myśleniu i wypowiadaniu się studentów. Badanie pozwoliło na zebranie bogatych danych, które zostały przeanalizowane pod kątem dydaktycznego potencjału zastosowanego podejścia.Podsumowując, zarówno rozważania teoretyczne, jak i badania empiryczne, wydają się potwierdzać tezę, iż zadania oparte na interpretacji dzieł malarskich nie tylko stymulują rozwój osobistej kompetencji komunikacyjnej uczniów, lecz również wspomagają ich kreatywność.

Ce travail se donne pour objectif d’étudier le potentiel que présente le support pictural pour ce qui de développer l’expression orale en FLE. Les oeuvres d’art sont censées constituer, dans ce cadre, un déclencheur de la créativité et de l’imagination incitant les apprenants à s’exprimer de façon authentique, spontanée et, plus généralement, individuelle.Afin d’appréhender cette problématique, l’auteur analyse d’abord les valeurs éducatives de la peinture, relatives à la créativité et à l’imagination. Ensuite, il se concentre sur l’importance de l’intention personnelle dans la communication, d’un côté, dans le processus de l’élocution, et de l’autre, dans les échanges communicatifs. Enfin, la dernière partie des considérations théoriques embrasse une perspective résolument didactique, en analysant de manière critique les pratiques pédagogiques actuelles, en ce qui concerne l’exploitation du support pictural.La partie empirique comprend un compte rendu d’une recherche action, menée auprès d’un groupe d’étudiants polonais de FLE, afin de vérifier les conclusions théoriques. Le projet pédagogique, sous forme d’un entraînement à la créativité, recourt largement au support pictural, en visant à rendre les étudiants plus autonomes et plus authentiques dans leur manière de penser et de s’exprimer en FLE. Le projet permet de recueillir de riches données, analysées ensuite sous l’angle du potentiel didactique de la démarche appliquée.En somme, tant les considérations théoriques que l’étude empirique semblent confirmer la thèse que les tâches basées sur l’interprétation des oeuvres picturales stimulent le développement d’une compétence orale réellement personnalisée, tout en accroissant la créativité des apprenants. / This PhD dissertation aimed at examining stimulating aspects of painting in thedevelopment of the speaking skill in French as a foreign language. Following the assumed thesis, the author believes that a personalized contact with works of art activates in learners deposits of creativity and imagination, making them conducive to expressing their thoughts and beliefs in an authentic and spontaneous way, and in a broader perspective – personally.The theoretical part of the dissertation explores educational values of painting in its impact on creativity and imagination. It also discusses the role of personal communicative intention, analyzed from the perspective of speaking and communication. The final remarks in this part focus on the practical applications of works of art in the classroom and on a critical analysis of various techniques which resort to paintings.The empirical part of the dissertation documents a comprehensive action research carried out among a group of Polish students studying French philology. A research project designed by the author in the form of creativity training refers to paintings, and is supposed to foster students’ autonomy and authenticity in thinking and self-expression. The study provided an extensive collection of data, which have been analyzed for their applicability in the classroom.Concluding, both the theoretical considerations and the empirical research seem to justify the thesis that tasks based on interpreting paintings not only stimulate the development of students’ personal communicative competence, but also support their creativity. / Celem niniejszej pracy doktorskiej było zbadanie stymulacyjnych walorów malarstwaw zakresie kształtowania sprawności wypowiadania się w języku francuskim jako obcym. Zgodnie z przyjętą tezą, osobisty kontakt z dziełami sztuki wyzwala u uczących się pokłady kreatywności i wyobraźni, skłaniając ich do wyrażania odnośnych myśli i sądów w sposób autentyczny i spontaniczny, a mówiąc ogólniej – osobisty.Teoretyczna część pracy rozpatruje walory edukacyjne malarstwa w aspekcie jego oddziaływania na kreatywność i wyobraźnię, a dalej zajmuje się rolą osobistej intencji komunikacyjnej analizowanej z perspektywy wypowiadania się i komunikacji. Końcowe refleksje tej części rozprawy skupiają się na dydaktycznym wykorzystaniu dzieł oraz na krytycznej analizie różnorodnych praktyk dydaktycznych opartych na obrazie.Z kolei część empiryczna referuje obszerne badanie w działaniu przeprowadzone wśród grupy polskojęzycznych studentów filologii romańskiej. Zaproponowany przez autora pracy projekt dydaktyczny w formie treningu kreatywności odwołuje się do malarstwa, co ma sprzyjać rozwojowi autonomii i autentyczności w myśleniu i wypowiadaniu się studentów. Badanie pozwoliło na zebranie bogatych danych, które zostały przeanalizowane pod kątem dydaktycznego potencjału zastosowanego podejścia.Podsumowując, zarówno rozważania teoretyczne, jak i badania empiryczne, wydają się potwierdzać tezę, iż zadania oparte na interpretacji dzieł malarskich nie tylko stymulują rozwój osobistej kompetencji komunikacyjnej uczniów, lecz również wspomagają ich kreatywność.

Chapter one of this study outlines some of the problems encountered in education today, with particular reference to the 'relevance gap'. This is taken to mean that the education which learners receive does not adequately prepare them for life, i.e. academic life, social life and their later career. The South African scenario is described briefly, with the focus on English language teaching and learning. The importance of English language skills is underlined. This chapter also includes a discussion on the writer's awareness of the problem, the research proposal, aims and method of the study plus a definition of terms. The next chapter argues that the curriculum is at the centre of the education endeavour and indicates that a relevant curriculum is one that (a) is dynamic, (b) focuses on the learner, (c) considers the context within which and for which the learning takes place and (d) includes all the relevant role-players and stakeholders in its design and development. A set of guidelines for developing and implementing a relevant curriculum, are then suggested based on this assumption. This is followed by a description of the traditional curriculum model, as proposed by Robert Zais (1976), and the outcomes-based approach to curriculum design, development and implementation proposed by William Spady (1993). The latter formed the basis for the development of Curriculum 2005 currently being implemented in South Africa. This section serves to illustrate the differences between these two approaches with regard to the principles underlying the approaches and the elements which determine the structure of the curriculum. In chapter four the researcher attempts to evaluate the traditional curriculum and the outcomesbased approach descn"bed in Chapter 3 on the basis of the guidelines for a relevant curriculum outlined previously, i.e. to what degree do these two models satisfy the need for: * a dynamic curriculum which is true to life and responsive to changes within society; * a focus on learner needs and aptitudes; * a careful consideration of the context within which and for which the learning is taking place; and * the inclusion of the relevant stakeholders and role-players in its design, development and implementation. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Didactics).