Dětská literatura ve výuce anglického jazyka na základní škole

Barbora Ema Švecová

Bachelor's thesis

Children's Literature in Teaching English at Elementary School

Abstract:

The bachelor thesis focuses on children’s literature in teaching English at elementary school and how to effectively include it in lessons. The aim is to discuss the main benefits and difficulties related to reading and using children’s literature in English-learning classes. The thesis research is conducted through an analysis of literature focused on this subject and an evaluation of a questionnaire, both of which lead to the creation of a lesson plan based on a selected children’s book. The purpose of this thesis is also to show a real-life use of children’s literature in class and introduce the subject of children’s literature to teachers who would like to use it in their English classes as well. For this reason, the thesis also incorporates a chapter discussing the preparation of a lesson plan. Furthermore, the thesis addresses the question whether children’s literature is currently used in English lessons at several elementary schools in the Czech Republic.The first chapter presents a description of second-grade students and evaluates their general abilities, cooperation, and motivation to learn, which are valuable information for the creation of the plan for teaching. Furthermore, the thesis introduces the specifics of children’s literature and what this genre may bring to the teaching process. The simplicity of the language and plots are highlighted as crucial elements which can support the interest of students and their involvement in activities. Methods of reading and their use are also one of the important aspects when working with literature in a class. Especially the proper use of all the methods should be taken into consideration while teaching so students understand literary text and requirements in post-reading exercises. It is beneficial for students' motivation to be aware of the positive influence of reading. This includes language improvement but also helps to establish cultural and cognitive development of children.Chapter 3 examines the important criteria for choosing a literary text since it must be suitable for the students who are being taught. Moreover, it presents the three most used textbooks, which are frequently a core of language teaching, and inspects the presence of children’s stories in them. The following part explains why the book called The Ice Monster by David Walliams was chosen to create the lesson plan. The questionnaire evaluation shows the attitudes of English teachers towards using literary texts in their classrooms and reveals what they consider obstacles. Ultimately, the realized lesson is described, including its preparation and reactions of the students who were being taught.

Keywords

literatura dětská, výuka jazyka anglického, četba

Keywords

children's literature, English language teaching, reading

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 21. 6. 2022

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 24. 8. 2022
• Supervisor: Mgr. Helena Polehlová, Ph.D.
• Reader: prof. PhDr. Bohuslav Mánek, CSc.

University of Hradec Králové

Faculty of Education

Bachelor programme / field:
Anglický jazyk se zaměřením na vzdělávání / Anglický jazyk se zaměřením na vzdělávání, Výtvarná tvorba se zaměřením na vzdělávání