Education for interculturalism is one of the key educational objectives in the context of increasing immigration. This master’s thesis focuses on developing intercultural competencies in literature classes. At the beginning of the thesis, we outline the changes in a world characterized by migration. Society is faced with the challenge of preparing individuals for life in a modern, globalized, and multicultural world. Intercultural competence is one of the key challenges of our time for integration into contemporary society. The thesis emphasizes the development of intercultural competencies through literature classes, particularly by reading picture books that open discussions on stereotypes, prejudice, identity, and acceptance. These books directly engage readers with messages of tolerance and understanding of immigrants, fostering interculturalism. Literature classes thus provide a space where students can identify with literary characters and develop empathy through storytelling. Interdisciplinary connections and varied teaching methods also play an important role, encouraging students to actively participate and co-create the learning process. The empirical part of the study was conducted at a multicultural primary school, where a series of literature lessons were implemented on a primary level. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with immigrant students, their parents, class teachers, and the school counselor. The interviews revealed that immigrant children experience intercultural differences in diverse ways — some perceive them as challenges, others as sources of distress. Both parents and teachers emphasized the importance of support, open communication, and a school environment that promotes inclusion. Despite the efforts of the school staff, inclusion often depends on the capacities and dedication of individuals. Based on the collected data and analysis of professional literature, the thesis proposes guidelines for literature teaching that fosters intercultural understanding and encourages intercultural enrichment.
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