Primary School Teacher Training

Our teachers must not be mere signposts that only point the way yet fail to progress themselves. Comenius

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The five-year Master's study programme aims to provide quality education and qualifications to future primary school teachers. The individual courses aim to develop various competences (field specific, field didactic, pedagogical, psychological, communicative and other) necessary for future primary school teachers. They build on a model of personal development, in the centre of which lie the pedagogical and psychological disciplines (School pedagogy, Developmental psychology, Pedagogical psychology, Inclusive special education, Social pedagogy, Pedagogical communication and School and classroom management). There are also many integrated multidisciplinary topics included, like Introduction to pedagogy and psychology, Pedagogical and psychological diagnostics, etc.

The content-specific courses reflect the multidisciplinary and complex nature of primary school education. The aim in this dimension is to develop such pedagogical content knowledge that allow the graduates to have a deep understanding of the subject matter and to view the subject matter from the perspective of ways in which it can be mediated to pupils in the classrooms. A wide spectrum of teaching approaches and methods is presented and open to further innovation. In all disciplines, an emphasis is laid on language culture and communicative competences.

A system of reflected teaching practice aims to systematically develop the students’ professional competences based on reflection of educational reality and also self-reflection.

The study programme also includes such courses (and topics) that emphasise the international dimension of education: comparative education, world literature etc. A rich variety of literary sources (primary and secondary), including journal articles, are available to students and discussed in the courses.

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After successfully completing his/her studies the graduate is able to:

  • make full use of knowledge (general, discipline-specific, pedagogical, psychological and field didactic) and skills to realise the set curriculum (FEP BE)
  • reflect on their own teaching practices and attitudes; to explain and justify their approach to teaching and instruction; to plan and realise their own personal and professional development
  • make use of pedagogical and psychological diagnostics to develop understanding of the children and their needs; to differentiate and individualise instruction with respect to individual pupils
  • guarantee favourable conditions for the process of pupils’ learning, motivation and activation; to provide a safe, positive and stimulating environment (emotional and social) in the classroom
  • apply rich knowledge in the area of Czech language and literature, mathematics, natural and social sciences, art and music, in education
  • make full use of pedagogical and psychological competences in education; to exploit various sources of information including modern technologies
  • effectively participate in interactions with all participants in education; pupils, parents, colleagues, school partners
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Knowledge, skills and attitudes acquired within the study programme form the basis for entering the teaching profession. The graduate of the programme has mastered the content of the basic disciplines as well as the didactic dimension. They are a qualified primary school teacher. They are also qualified to work as an educational specialist in other educational institutions (free-time activity centres, environmental educational centres, methodical centres, etc.).

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The study programme is planned over ten semesters. Students are required to acquire 300 credits in required, selective and elective courses, in order to be allowed to enrol for the final state examination. Compulsory courses constitute the basis of the professional development programme and amount to 285 credits (including credits for courses that support the development of the Master's thesis). The remaining 15 credits are awarded for courses that the students select according to their interests. All students are required to participate in one course that focuses on internationalisation so that the acquired subject-specific knowledge and skills are viewed in an international context, and also the development of language competences and skills in world languages is supported (e.g., taking a course in a foreign language, an international stay, an international summer school, attending an international conference).

The students are guided by the study catalogue that is available on the faculty’s web page.

The focus of the study programme lies in pedagogical, psychological and primary field-didactic disciplines (Czech language, mathematics, foreign language, physical education, arts, music, technical education, elementary natural and social science, etc.).

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The programme components are integrated with students’ reflected teaching practice. Teaching practice modules are included in all semesters of the study programme; their content is structured based on the content of parallel courses in pedagogy, psychology and didactics. The introductory modules aim to provide basic information for students. The subsequent modules of teaching practice aim to help develop the students’ interaction skills, nurture their personal and social development and to gain experience with the target population of pupils. The final modules of continuous teaching practice provide the students with opportunities to practise the conceptual and procedural knowledge acquired in pedagogical as well as content-specific courses.

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The final state examination consists of: Education and Psychology, Czech language and literature with didactics, Mathematics with didactics, Master's thesis defence. An optional component can be included: the Didactics of English/German/Russian/French language for primary schools. Further information is available on the web pages of the respective departments. Guidelines for authors of Master's theses are available on the web pages of the Department of Primary Education.

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The programme’s graduates may (provided they fulfil further requirements) continue to study in the doctoral study programme Education.

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Students
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Field of study specifications

Field of Study: Primary School Teacher Training
Abbreviation: ZS15
Code: 7503T047
Type: Master's degree programme
Degree: Mgr.
Accreditation: to 31/12/2024
Programme: M7503 M-ZS5 Teacher Training for Primary Schools
Faculty of Education
Field of study guaranteed by:
Faculty of Education
Field guarantor:
doc. Mgr. Jiří Havel, Ph.D.

To study successfully in the Primary School Teacher Training the students are expected to have knowledge and skills in many different fields.

In the domain of the Czech language and literature, students are expected to be able to express themselves in a coherent and cultured manner without speech impediments, to have mastered the rules of the written form of the Czech language, to be an avid reader and to have solid knowledge of literary and historical context of important literary works (especially of Czech history since the beginning of the 19th century).

In the domain of mathematics, applicants are expected to have mastered secondary school curriculum (solving equations and inequations, theory of divisibility and geometry). Concerning foreign language competences, an entrance level of A2 is expected (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) in English, German, French or Russian. Students then continue to study the chosen language and its didactics further.

The applicants are also expected to possess skills in the domains of music, art and sport:

In the music domain, knowledge of basic concepts is expected, music notation reading and writing in treble and bass clef, major and minor scales, basic intervals, triads and diatonic functions; the ability is also expected to repeat simple melodic and rhythmical units, accurately sing simple songs and enunciate correctly. As to playing the piano, the applicants are expected to have mastered technical exercises and pieces from standard courses for beginners. The recommended level of proficiency is corresponds to six years of basic music school. The ability to play other musical instruments is not developed within the Primary School Teacher Training and cannot substitute playing the piano.

In the domain of arts, the students are expected to be interested in arts and culture and to have an elementary insight into the history of art and also elementary knowledge about art and relevant skills (drawing, painting, sculpting).

Within the domain of technical and informatics education, the emphasis lies on practical activities with technical and natural materials and also on working with digital technologies.

Within the physical education and health education domain, the programme includes activities and theory of athletics, gymnastics, games, psychomotorics and health-oriented physical education. Students also undergo training in skating, swimming and other summer and winter sports. No qualifying sport limits are set as part of the entrance examination; however, only students not exempt from physical education may enrol to study in the programme.

Further information will be provided at the Department of Primary Education, Faculty of Education, Poříčí 31 on Consultation days or in the consultation hours of the programme’s supervisor.