Martina Staviaov

Discussions
Practical language
Can the 21century generation (Generation Z) still learn from the old timers? Does "digital nativeness" also
come with the necessary skills for life?Please, share your views with your classmates.

The world changed so much since I was a child. It's almost unbelievable how much. We have all the
information easily accessible and it seems to me that children do not feel the need to learn why to
learn something when I have Google in my phone?! They rely on those technologies too much and
spend too much time with it. Some of the children even do not know how to play with toys or with
the others. They don't go out. When I was working in suburban camp this summer and some of the
children have never been to the forest behind their house... (which is not their fault).. it makes me
very very sad and worried. We should teach them what is real life about, that we should LIVE our
lives.. more like our parents and grandparents were raising us. But even some adults are already
addicted to the internet and the social sites. Some of them probably can't enjoy what they do or
have without posting its picture on Facebook. There is something sick about all of this. I wouldn't
let the children use phone or computer until they know how to play, how to write and read and until
they really need it. I would support their creativity and curiosity instead.
So can the 21century generation still learn from the old timers? Of course! At least that the life
won't end during a power cut!
How do you/would you motivate your students to want more? Should we use the good old method of the
carrot and the stick? Should the motivation be tailor-made for a particular person/personality type?
Please share your views and experiences with your classmates.

I think that the teacher plays a very important role in motivating his students. Both his personality
and his methods. When the teacher is enthusiastic about his subject, it's very likely that he would
transfer this to his students. But of course, enthusiasm is not all, he should know his students well,
so that he can adjust the lessons to the group. (In my opinion, someone is born as a great teacher,
the others must grow into it - during their practice.)
Another important thing is the inner motivation of a particular student. Sometimes it can be really
hard to motivate someone and vice versa with some of the students it's very easy.
Halloween is an American/British holiday. It is not our holiday. Should we celebrate it or ignore it? What do
you say?

I don't think that we should celebrate it, not even that we should ignore it. It's up to everyone and
his decision. To be honest, I do not celebrate any feasts except for Christmas (and I like that one
only because of the time spent with my family, relaxing, eating and drinking, but still it is strange
for me to celebrate a Christian festival even though I am not a Christian). So I am probabaly not the
right person to answer that question. But I think that it can be a very nice topic for an English lesson
(especially for very young learners).
The English language is overtaking the world's other languages. Should we be worried? What can we do to
preserve the languages of the non Anglo Saxon nations?

I don't think that we should be worried about such things and I don't think that English will
substitute our or any other national language. In my opinion, it's good that there is some
international language. It connects people, I'd say. But, it starts to be some basic knowledge and
many employers require their employees to know English. So those who do not speak English can
have problems in their jobs.

It's been 26 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia. How do you
feel about the changes? Should some things have been done differently?
Please, share your ideas with your classmates.

As I just turned 24, it is impossible for me to somehow evaluate the situation before and after the
revolution. But I have to say that I am happy that I was born after this event. I can't imagine living
in communist society at all. Even though there are some people who always try to convince me, that
life was easier, better in many ways, etc., I don't like the idea of communism.
English for Scientists
TOPIC 1: EXPECTATIONS AND FIRST IMPRESSIONS
When I first read about this subject I thought that it might be a good opportunity to gain new
vocabulary and to meet some interesting people. And I think that it works for me. I really like the
thought of project we are supposed to work on the Reservoir thing. I mean that it is always much
better to apply new vocabulary or knowledge (or approach) to something particular rather than to
stay in a 'theoretical area'.
What I didn't expect is practising pronunciation or some language skills what we do with James.
And I really enjoy this. I've already used corpora twice and I've found it really useful.
But as I don't have much free time during the week, I'd appreciate to know the topic of the
discussion and homework earlier (on Friday so that I could work on it during the weekend).
TOPIC 2: WRITING
I don't think that I have or use some regular pattern of how I write. It depends a lot on what am I
going to write and whether I know the topic. When I am not too familiar with the topic, it takes me
a lot of time to write something. At first I have to do a research on the topic and find my own point
of view or opinion and then I can start writing. When I write, I need silence, my notebook and my
bed.
I usually start with the main ideas and I add the beginning and the closing part later. I never write
something important in one day. The first day I write whatever comes to my mind. The next day I
go through it and try to develop the interesting ideas. The last day I usually go through it once again
and try to correct grammar and spelling mistakes.
TOPIC 3: THE SKILL OF PRESENTING AND PUBLIC SPEAKING
Not many people can give an excellent presentation. I think that you need a lot of experience,
knowledge, personal charm and also an interesting topic to be able to make an excellent
presentation. Some people seem to be born to speak in public and they are very good at it. I am not
sure whether shy and insecure people can ever reach that point.
As for the presentation itself I mean the slides, it's very nice when there is not all that you are
talking about. Once, I was at a lecture called Basics of Pedagogy. And the lecturer was hiding
behind the computer and reading one slide after another. I felt like even I could do better without
any preparations it was that bad (and ironical as she was talking about how to teach). So every
time I am supposed to give a presentation, I try to avoid all those things.
What is really important is enthusiasm. When there is an enthusiastic speaker is very likely that he
would transfer the enthusiasm (or at least interest) to his audience. But of course, enthusiasm is not
all you need. Another important thing is intelligibility. You always need to adjust the language to

the group we will use different language while talking to the panel of scientists and different
language with the school children.
As for me, I need to know the topic very well to be able to give some presentation and I feel quite
comfortable while giving a presentation at high school. But speaking in front of university teachers
is much harder and I will probably never feel enough experienced and skilled to do that.
TOPIC 4: BIOSKETCHES
Martina Staviaov is a master student of Biology and Geography with a view to
Education at the Faculty of Science at Masaryk University in Brno. She also studies English with a
view to education in the bachelor degree program at the Faculty of Education.Her current research
follows her bachelor's thesis about the natural conditions and flora of the selected area in BrnoBystrc.

British History
Why do you think the Anglo-Saxon rule of England is called the Dark Ages?

I think that it's because it was a dark, difficult and dangerous era of British history. I can't imagine
how hard it was for local people to cope with all the problems so many invaders were coming
there with their own ideas, religions, arms, habits etc. And there is one more thing I can't stop
thinking about food. It is essential that people grow more than they consume or need for
themselves so that they can start supporting the others moving into the towns. And I don't think that
they were this successful in growing when all the newcomers appeared, all the towns were being
found and everyone was in some of the wars. So I think that many people had to starve, or I really
wonder how did they support themselves, all the soldiers etc.
It is said that no castles had been built before the Norman conquest.
Why did the building of castles come only with the rule of William The Conqueror?

I think that the castles were some next step in the development of the society (and administration,
etc.). There were those hill forts, stone walls and other buildings or structures as protection against
enemies. But later it was more convenient to build some bigger permanent settlement . They
become the strategic points not only in the times of war, but also they could easily "centralize" the
power and the castles became the centres of administration. Maybe, it was even built to impress the
vassals with their power and abilities.
The well-known reason why Henry VIII kept divorcing and remarrying for 6 times is that he demanded a
male heir to protect the Tudor dynasty on the English throne. Can you think of any other reason?

As I don't believe that all the written sources from the past are reliable and truthful, it's hard to say.
But I think that Henry has been just a teenager when he married his first wife (who was his brother's
widow and even that is strange) and he didn't really love her. Then he fell in love with another
woman, so he wanted to marry her. Unfortunately, she was unfaithful to him, which might have
destroyed his faith in love, hurt his ego etc. Maybe he didn't respect women anymore. Maybe he felt
like he can do whatever he likes as he is a king. Maybe he just never loved anybody. I don't know, I
haven't been there.
In his Treatise of Government (1690) John Locke wrote:

All men are naturally in a state of perfect freedom to order their actions and dispose of their possessions and
persons as they think fit without asking the leave or depending upon the will of any man.
How do you understand his words? ..

This sentence is very long. Even though he writes about freedom, this part: ..dispose of their
possessions and persons... can be interpreted differently. I don't like such compliated sentences as
I'm getting lost in them. But I think that he considered all people equal.
Didactics
What do your lesson plans look like? Are they very different from those you made during your first year of
teaching?

I teach only a few private lessons a week. It doesn't take me much time to prepare my lessons as I
know the students well. That's great, because I can prepare activities or songs right for them and I
know that they will like it. When I have English conversation lesson, I prepare only some topics or
vocabulary. For other lessons, I have more notes (what to revise, pages, activities,..) as we work
with a book, too. I've never taught any big class, but I know that I'd prepare lessons differently for a
whole class than I do now for individuals.
Should students be given lists of vocabulary for each textbook unit or should they rather produce them
themselves?

I'd give the students a list of vocabulary. Firstly, there usually is a list at the end of the textbook. So
I'd go through it with my students, I'd explain things which are not clear (and give some examples).
Secondly, there are always some students who are not that interested in languages and it's probably
better for them just to memorize it. Those, who want to learn more will always make their own lists,
anyway (e.g. with vocabulary connected to something they are interested in).
Do the learning styles exist?

I have to say that I am little confused. People do have different learning styles, of that I am sure.
But maybe it's probably more important while we learn something at home. Some people need
silence, others listen to the music. Some people need to say things aloud, someone needs to walk,.. I
sometimes do all of those things. Sometimes I even need to eat something while learning. It
depends on the current state of my mind, I'd say.
The teacher should combine various activities during the lessons, so that every student can develop
all of the skills (I mean writing, speaking, listening and reading). And even if there was a strong
visual learner, he needs to hear English, too. So he can't just stay with some visual methods only.
I'm still confused.