Role of a teaching assistant in the matter of support for pupils with barriers in learning

The aim of this dissertation is to describe the role of teaching assistants in the matter of support for pupils with barriers in learning at primary school. In the theoretical part, the main focus is on legislative anchoring of teaching assistant's position, on establishing the responsibilities and the content of teaching assistant's work, on methodical support which is provided by schools' headmasters or particular organisations, on support for teachers and on discovered benefits that are secured by the role of teaching assistant. Everything mentioned is placed in contrast with the scholar system in Great Britain, especially with the way the local authorities deal with the post of teaching assistant. The empirical part of the dissertation explore the cooperation of teaching assistant and teacher by using the method of in-depth interview with teaching assistants and observation their work in class. The result of the dissertation is showing the evidence of teaching assistant's importance in educational process and his/her help and support for teacher. KEYWORDS Teaching assistant, teacher, cooperation, pupil with special educational needs, conditions for a teaching assistant in the Czech Republic and in Great Britai