The thesis deals with the importance of intercultural content in teaching English and French in primary school. It emphasizes the significance and importance of teaching and learning culture alongside with the language, since these two concepts are inseparably connected. Language goes way beyond vocabulary and grammar structures, because it includes the entire value system of a particular speaking area, which is essential for profound knowledge and understanding of a foreign language.
The first part of the thesis establishes the theoretical framework, which means that the terminology is explained and the most important concepts are presented, like culture, interculturality and cultural awareness. Further on, the thesis explores the connection between these concepts and foreign language learning and teaching. Then, the thesis presents the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), where it points out the importance of culture and interculturality in foreign language learning and explores the recent changes of the 2018 document in this field.
The second, empirical part of the thesis presents some examples of primary school textbooks for English and French from the point of view of intercultural content. It presents the included topics, categorizes them and states whether the textbooks encourage the comparison with the source culture, or not.
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