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Influence of Phonetic Literacy on the Perception Ability of Czech Learners of English
Kaňák, Jakub ; Červinková Poesová, Kristýna (advisor) ; Farrell, Mark Robert (referee)
The thesis covers the main points of L2 acquisition with the main focus on L2 perception and production. The relevant theories concerning acquisition of L2 phonology were outlined and some important points stressed, namely, the role of L1 phonology on L2 perception and subsequently production. The subjects of final stop devoicing and pre-fortis shortening were mentioned with relation to Czech speakers of English. In the practical part, the thesis provides an account of a perceptual experiment that focused on the perception of word-final /t/ and /d/ phonemes of English by Czech students of English phonetics. It was found that Czech students are susceptible to their L1 phonology in distinguishing the voicing contrast word-finally. No significant overall correlation was found between the knowledge of pre-fortis shortening and the performance in a subsequent perceptual test. Key words: speech perception, phonetics, phonology, second language acquisition
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John Steinbeck's treatment of loneliness - a biographical and fictional experience - an analysis of loneliness in Tortilla Flat, Cannery Row and Of Mice and Men
Purkrábková, Petra ; Ženíšek, Jakub (advisor) ; Farrell, Mark Robert (referee)
"Every man's work, whether it be literature, or music or pictures or architecture or anything else, is always a portrait of himself." (Butler) The aim of this thesis is to put forward the importance of the author behind the book and to see clearly the effect of an author's life upon his work. The theme in focus is loneliness. This theme is to be analyzed in a dual manner. Firstly as an account of Steinbeck's own experience of loneliness. Secondly as a theme of focus in the novels; Of Mice and Men, Cannery Row and Tortilla Flat. Where applicable, a correlation between the author's own experience of loneliness and the struggle of his characters is to be highlighted. This thesis is separated into five parts. The initial part is a brief definition of loneliness which serves the purpose of introducing the theme of study. It also states the terms that will be used throughout the thesis. The second part is an analysis of Steinbeck's own experience of loneliness as obtained through a compilation of his letters. These two parts conclude the theoretic background of John Steinbeck and his intimate relation to the phenomenon of loneliness. The further three parts are analyses of the three listed novels. The focus is on each applicable character and his/her portrayal of loneliness. By analysing each individual...
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Teaching English Pronunciation in Contemporary Czech and British Textbooks
Pokludová, Martina ; Farrell, Mark Robert (referee) ; Červinková Poesová, Kristýna (advisor)
This thesis aims at exploring and comparing to what extent commonly used contemporary English textbooks for secondary schools produced by Czech and British publishers support teachers in teaching pronunciation. The theoretical part summarizes the changes in the approach to pronunciation teaching within nine well-known foreign language teaching methods and briefly describes current trends in pronunciation teaching as an outcome of a continual development. The practical part presents the result of qualitative, quantitative and methodological analysis of the selected set of four Czech and four British textbooks, comparing their attitude to the teaching of pronunciation.
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Garden in Children's Literature - its presentation, role and symbolism in The Secret Garden and Tom's Midnight Garden
Jílková, Klára ; Chalupský, Petr (advisor) ; Farrell, Mark Robert (referee)
In my diploma thesis, I deal with the topic of the garden as it is presented in Frances Hodgson Burnett's The Secret Garden and Ann Philippa Pearce's Tom's Midnight Garden. In the beginning, I discuss the reasons for the attractivity of this topic among children's authors in general, and introduce Burnett and Pearce. In the following chapters I focus mainly on the role of the gardens in the characters' lives, showing the positive effect they have on the characters, helping them to gradually change for the better. I concern myself with several themes, including the way and the circumstances in which the two gardens are discovered, the setting of the stories, and the magical aspects of both gardens. I also deal with the differences in the perception of time and with the interconnectivity of time levels in the stories. At the end of this thesis there is a chapter devoted to the way both authors present their gardens and on the means they use for their descriptions.
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Teaching English to Adults: Needs Analysis
Kohoutová, Ivana ; Hofmannová, Marie (advisor) ; Farrell, Mark Robert (referee)
The main goal of this thesis is to explore the particularities of teaching English as a foreign language to adult learners in the Czech Republic, within the framework of the European Union. Language education of adults is explored in the context of lifelong learning. Three types of language courses for adults (In- house Courses, Exam Courses and In-company Courses) are described and the needs of adult language students are analysed via Needs Analysis Questionnaires. The results of the analysis are interpreted with regard to teacher's work and attitudes to adult language learners. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
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