Czech language competence among foreign pupils in Czech schools (focus on reading comprehension)

The present thesis discusses certain aspects of Czech as a foreign or second language. The theoretical section includes a definition of the term foreign pupil in the context of Czech education, an overview of the legislative framework of foreign pupils' education and a discussion of language education on the international level with a focus on Czech as a foreign language. Last but not least, the significance of reading literacy is assessed with regard to its use in language education. The thesis aims to establish the level of reading comprehension skills in foreign pupils of primary schools who are in their second stage of basic education. The assessment was carried out by means of a didactic test closely based on the language competence criteria as set out in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The results of the research were analysed according to several criteria influencing the foreign pupil's involvement in Czech language classes, and subsequently compared to the results achieved by pupils who are native speakers of Czech