An elementary teacher is one of the most popular teaching professions. Teaching at the elementary level of education is very interesting and diverse. It requires from a teacher a good knowledge of the developmental characteristics of children and a sensitive response to their needs and wishes, a good knowledge of a series of subject content and appropriately developed communication, musical and motor skills.
The Department of Elementary Education offers a stimulating opportunity of study at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels of education. The aim of the programmes provided is the acquisition of skills and qualifications for teaching the first to fifth grade in primary school as well as gaining a deeper, research insight into educational practice, and own reflection. The first-level university study programme Elementary Education coherently continues in the second-level study programme Elementary Education. The graduate thus acquires competences for teaching in the first and second educational period of primary school. After completing the second level of study, more creative, innovative and research-oriented students can join the programme for obtaining a doctoral degree in the elementary field of education.
The study requires considerable creative versatility from students, associated with fairly extensive knowledge of various subject areas as well as working with children aged 6 to 11. The programme prepares students in terms of knowledge, skills and understanding of effective learning, teaching, and monitoring and evaluating progress. During the first two years of study, the emphasis is on a group of pedagogical and psychological subjects, modern educational technology, pedagogical research methodology and topics from the fields of humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, music, fine arts, and sports. In the last two years of the first-level study, attention is paid mainly to special didactics of the subjects taught in the first five years of primary education, pedagogical practice and elective subjects that satisfy various personal interests and abilities of individuals. In addition to lectures, the programme includes numerous seminars, group and individual tutorials, excursions, fieldwork, teaching demonstrations in primary school, and visits to concerts, ballet and opera performances. Students also prepare music and cultural events (e.g. art exhibitions).
