The Importance and Role of the Mother Tongue in Teaching English at Primary Schools

Abstract

This bachelor thesis focuses on the topic of the usage of mother tongue in English language teaching in Czech primary schools, specifically in which cases teachers use it and for what reason they do so. The theoretical part describes the different methods and approaches in English language teaching, also providing their historical context. Other chapters look at the connection between the CEFR document and FEP BE document. It also presents their stances and guidelines on the usage of the mother tongue in English language teaching. Then the theoretical part defines the term English lesson, describes what it constitutes of and in which instances teachers use their mother tongue. There is also a chapter describing the cognitive development during middle childhood and links it to English language teaching. The practical part presents the findings of conducted observations and interviews, aiming to pinpoint in which instances English teachers use Czech language and what is the reasoning behind these cases.