Search

This bachelor thesis aims to explore ways in which environmental topics might be integrated into the ESL classroom to improve students' communication skills. The theoretical part is concerned with teaching methods that combine content and language instruction, introduce relevant topics and create an authentic environment for language learning. It further analyses the content and main objectives of Environmental Education as a cross-curricular subject and identifies communication skills as an essential element of soft skills. The thesis examines their possible development through engaging students in discussions about environmental issues. The practical part consists of planning individual lessons whose content derives from topics of Environmental Education and emphasis is placed on communication activities. The lessons were thereafter implemented in an Elementary School ZŠ Drtinova and reflected on using Korthagen's ALACT model. Based on the teaching experience, the practical part contains recommendations for similar lessons. The thesis suggests that English language teachers are in a unique position to promote environmental awareness and improve students' language skills simultaneously.

This thesis deals with the possibilities of using the programme Philosophy for Children to fulfill the objectives of the cross-curricular subjects at Primary school. The theoretical part includes a summary of the objectives of elementary education, then it describes the cross-curricular subjects of the Framework Education Programme for Elementary Education and Philosophy for Children and their interconnection. In the practical part, seven lessons using methods of Philosophy for Children, taught in the 5th year of Primary school, are described and they are analyzed from the philosophical point of view and from the point of view of including the cross-curricular subjects. In the reflection, these lessons are evaluated and the possibility of developing certain skills of pupils in case of longer-term using of this programme is mentioned.