JVp015 English for Special Educators - A

Faculty of Education
Spring 2026
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 2 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Kateřina Gratrix (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Martina Malášková, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Mirjana Georgieva Slavíková (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Radim Herout (assistant)
Mgr. Anna Maryšková (assistant)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Radim Herout
Language Centre, Faculty of Education Division – Faculty Branches of University Departments – Faculty of Education
Contact Person: Jitka Autratová
Supplier department: Language Centre, Faculty of Education Division – Faculty Branches of University Departments – Faculty of Education
Timetable of Seminar Groups
JVp015/CERTIFICATE: No timetable has been entered into IS. A. Maryšková
JVp015/ERASMUS: No timetable has been entered into IS.
JVp015/KombiSem01: Fri 20. 2. 16:00–18:50 B46 učebna, Fri 6. 3. 14:00–16:50 -A16 učebna, Fri 13. 3. 14:00–16:50 A45 učebna, Fri 17. 4. 16:00–18:50 A45 učebna, Fri 15. 5. 13:00–15:50 -A16 učebna, M. Slavíková
JVp015/KombiSem02: Fri 20. 2. 16:00–18:50 A51 učebna, Fri 6. 3. 14:00–16:50 E29 Skupinová pracovna, Fri 13. 3. 14:00–16:50 A35 učebna, Fri 17. 4. 16:00–18:50 E29 Skupinová pracovna, Fri 15. 5. 13:00–15:50 E51 Seminární místnost
JVp015/KombiSem03: Fri 20. 2. 16:00–18:50 E29 Skupinová pracovna, Fri 6. 3. 14:00–16:50 B46 učebna, Fri 13. 3. 14:00–16:50 A33 učebna, Fri 17. 4. 16:00–18:50 A61 učebna, Fri 15. 5. 13:00–15:50 A23 učebna
JVp015/KombiSem04: Fri 20. 2. 16:00–18:50 A25 učebna, Fri 6. 3. 14:00–16:50 A25 učebna, Fri 13. 3. 14:00–16:50 E29 Skupinová pracovna, Fri 17. 4. 16:00–18:50 A21 učebna, Fri 15. 5. 13:00–15:50 E29 Skupinová pracovna
JVp015/PrezSem01: Mon 10:00–11:50 A21 učebna, M. Slavíková
JVp015/PrezSem02: Mon 14:00–15:50 A45 učebna, M. Slavíková
JVp015/PrezSem03: Tue 14:00–15:50 A43 učebna, M. Slavíková
JVp015/PrezSem04: Tue 12:00–13:50 A61 učebna, M. Malášková
JVp015/PrezSem05: Wed 14:00–15:50 A45 učebna, M. Malášková
Prerequisites
JVp001 Entrance Test A2 - English || JVk001 Entrance Test A2 - English || JV001 Entrance Test A2 - English
A pass in JVp001 Vstupní test A2 – AJ.
Students enrolling on the course are expected to have a good A2+ level of English or higher (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 8 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Abstract
This course is designed for students of Special Education and Speech Therapy to transition from general language competence to professional independence in English. Grounded in the CEFR B1/B1+ level, the course focuses on the four primary language modalities: Reception, Production, Interaction, and Mediation. Students will develop a personal repertoire of strategies and field-specific vocabulary to communicate effectively in international academic and professional settings. Through hands-on tasks, such as creating infographics and conducting mini-activities, students move beyond "studying English" to "using English" as a tool for their future careers.
Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Mediate Professional Concepts: Simplify and explain complex special education topics (e.g., inclusion, sensory impairments) for non-expert audiences through visual and oral means.

  • Give Professional Instructions: Effectively lead and manage a group activity in English, providing clear, sequenced instructions using imperative structures.

  • Apply People-First Language: Use respectful, modern professional etiquette and "people-first" terminology when discussing disabilities and special needs.

  • Collaborate as Co-Educators: Work in pairs to design unified professional materials and co-lead demonstrations, maintaining "One Voice" in both visual and spoken delivery.

  • Reflect on Language Progress: Critically evaluate their own learning journey and professional growth through structured audio reflections.

Key topics

    • Language Learning: Learn how to take charge of your own progress. You will move from being a "student" to an "independent learner". 

    • The System of Education: Exploring inclusion vs. integration and diversity in schools.

    • Professional Etiquette: Mastering core field vocabulary and people-first language.

    • Physical Impairments: Accessibility, mobility aids, and barrier-free environments.

    • Sensory Impairments: Communication strategies and assistive technology for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Visually Impaired individuals.

    • Speech and Language Disorders: Understanding and supporting communicative challenges in children and adults.

Study resources and literature
    required literature
  • E-learning resources in IS.MUNI.CZ
    recommended literature
  • SPARLING, Thomas Donaldson; Christopher Adam RANCE and Simona KALOVÁ. English or Czenglish. Avoiding Czechisms in English. 1. vyd. . Brno: Masarykova univerzita, 2021, 319 pp. ISBN 978-80-210-9965-4. URL info
  • DVOŘÁČKOVÁ, Veronika; Dita HOCHMANOVÁ and Dita TRČKOVÁ. Anglická terminologie pro učitele Praktický průvodce (English Terminology for Teachers - Practical Guide). Praha: Grada, 2021, 223 pp. ISBN 978-80-271-2470-1. info
  • SWAN, Michael. Practical English usage. 3rd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005, xxx, 658. ISBN 9780194420983. info
    not specified
  • MURPHY, Raymond. Essential grammar in use : a self-study reference and practice book for elementary students of English : with answers. Second edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1997, 300 s. ISBN 0521559286. info
  • NAYLOR, Helen and Raymond MURPHY. Essential grammar in use supplementary exercises : with answers. 1st ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1996, 106 s. ISBN 052146997X. info
  • MURPHY, Raymond. English grammar in use : a self-study reference and practice book for intermediate students of English : with answers. 3rd ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004, x, 379. ISBN 0521532892. info
  • Hashemi, Louise. Cambridge Practice Tests for PET 1. Cambridge University Press,
  • Cambridge preliminary English Test 1 - 5. Cambridge University Press.
  • CRAVEN, Miles. Listening extra : a resource book of multi-level skills activities. 1st ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004, 136 s. ISBN 0521754623. info
Approaches, practices, and methods used in teaching

  • Continuous Assessment: Learning is spread across the semester through regular tasks, rather than a single final exam.

  • Task-Based Learning: Authentic professional scenarios, such as the "Mini-Activity Demonstration," where students act as educators for their peers.

  • The "One Voice or Unity" Rule: A collaborative framework requiring pairs to produce unified professional outputs.

  • Mediation-Focused Instruction: Moving from B1 general comprehension to the ability to translate and adapt information for specific audiences.

  • Blended Learning: Face-to-face sessions with many opportunities for pair and group work as well as class discussion; self-study grammar and vocabulary materials to prepare for the short in-class quizzes.

    • Method of verifying learning outcomes and course completion requirements

    • Compulsory Attendance: Maximum of 2 unexcused absences; attendance of at least 50% of sessions is required.

    • Task Completion: All continuous assessment tasks must be completed.

    • Minimum Score: A minimum of 45 points out of 70 (65%) is required to receive credit.

    Assessment Point Distribution: 

     Language-Learning Journey (LLJ): Individual portfolio of progress -  15 pts Grammar & Vocab Quizzes: 10 short in-class assessments (2 pts each) - 20 pts Infographic Presentation (in pairs): 20 pts  

    Individual Reflection on the Presentation (recorded): 3 pts

    Mini-Activity Demonstration (in pairs): A 10-minute practical session - 12 pts 

    Total Points: 70 pts 

    Students need at least 45 points (65%) in order to receive credit for the course. 

    Alternate completion
    Students on an Erasmus+ stay may apply for course recognition on the basis of the courses they complete abroad. 
    Language of instruction
    English
    Study support
    https://is.muni.cz/auth/el/ped/jaro2026/JV1111/seminar-PrezSem01-PrezSem03.qwarp
    Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
    Study Materials
    Information on completion of the course: Jazykový kurz na úrovni B1 SERRJ (není určen pro začátečníky).
    The course is taught annually.
    Information on course enrolment limitations: Podmínkou zápisu je úspěšné absolvování předmětu JVp001. Počet míst v kurzu je limitován kapacitou pracoviště.
    Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
    The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2018, Spring 2019, Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024, Spring 2025, Spring 2027.
    • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
    • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/ped/spring2026/JVp015