Teaching of Slovak Language and Literature (combined)

prof. PhDr. Ján Kačala, DrSc.

prof. PhDr. Peter Žeňuch, DrSc.

doc. Mgr. Jaroslav Šrank, PhD.

doc. PhDr. Erika Brtáňová, CSc.

Mgr. Adela Dúbravová, PhD.

Mgr. Eva Faithová, PhD.

Mgr. Ľubica Horváthová, PhD.

Mgr. Mária Dziviaková, PhD.

Mgr. Monika Turočeková, PhD.

Study Advisors (tutors):

Mgr. Eva Faithová, PhD., faithova1uniba.sk – study advisor for 1st and 2nd year of bachelor study in full-time form and 1st - 3rd year of bachelor study in external form

doc. Mgr. Jaroslav Šrank, PhD., srank1uniba.sk – study advisor for final years

Student Study Advisors for the Study Programme:

Adela Zemková, zemkova29uniba.sk  

Kristína Žmijáková, zmijakova1uniba.sk

Coordinator for International Mobility and Erasmus+:

Mgr. Eva Faithová, PhD., faithova1uniba.sk

The study programme Teaching of Slovak Language and Literature (combined) at the Bachelor's degree level in both full-time and external form provides students with a systematic and comprehensive education in the field of contemporary Slovak language and literature. The bachelor's degree of this study programme is primarily aimed at the continuation to the master's degree. An integral part of the study in this study programme is the component of the Common Social-Scientific, Pedagogical and Psychological Foundation of Teaching ("Teaching Foundation").

The compulsory courses Introduction to language study, Introduction to literature study and Academic text writing in Slovak language and literature develop and shape students' knowledge and skills related to linguistic and literary research and the production of a scientific text in linguistics and literary studies. Other compulsory courses in the field of Slovak language form a comprehensive body of knowledge about the system and norm of contemporary standard Slovak in all its levels (sound, lexical, morphological, syntactic, stylistic) and about the codified form of contemporary standard Slovak. The compulsory courses in the field of Slovak literature form a comprehensive body of knowledge on the history of the 20th century Slovak literature and on literature for children and youth, as well as on world literature. Knowledge of contemporary Slovak language and literature is also situated in an intercultural context and in a broader international context.

Compulsory elective courses are divided into 2 groups covering the area of Slovak language (group 1) and literature (group 2). Courses in Group 1 are focused on the application of knowledge and skills related to the lexical, morphological and syntactic levels of the contemporary Slovak language in school practice, in a communicative-presentational context and in proofreading and editing activities. Courses in Group 2 develop knowledge of literary text construction, Slovak literature and book culture after 1989 and develop reading, analytical-interpretive and evaluative skills with an emphasis on their educational and didactic application. The courses World literature II and Contexts of European cultural thought focus on intercultural contexts and the broader international context of contemporary Slovak language and literature.

In terms of the uniqueness of the study programme and its originality, the key focus is on a thorough knowledge of the system of the contemporary standard Slovak language and a solid orientation in the knowledge of contemporary Slovak literature, literature for children and youth and world literature, with regard to the relevant practical skills and competences, particularly applicable in educational practice. Emphasis is placed on linking contemporary linguistic and literary knowledge to lively school, communication and cultural and social practice as a key factor in cultivating the professional, occupational and cultural identity of today's young people. The orientation towards literature for children and youth and world literature results from the degree of their representation in the content of lower and upper secondary education.

This concept of the Bachelor's degree programme provides the student with the knowledge, skills and competences crucial for further study at the Master's degree level. The focus of the Bachelor's degree programme accepts and respects the requirements of the Slovak educational environment, is in line with global trends aimed at the humanisation of education and corresponds to the principle that education represents a particularly exposed value important for the consolidation and development of a democratic society.

STUDY PLAN - full-time form

STUDY PLAN - part-time form

The admission condition for applicants to the Bachelor's degree programme in Teaching Slovak Language and Literature (combined) is the completion of a full secondary education with a secondary school leaving certificate.

The set of knowledge, abilities and prerequisites that applicants to the Bachelor's degree programme in Teaching Slovak Language and Literature (combined) should possess is formulated as a complex of attributes that reflect the specificities of the study programme with regard to the profile of the graduate.

These include, in particular, a solid command of the Slovak language in both written and spoken form, mastery of the Slovak language and literature curriculum at secondary school level, especially gymnasium level, the ability to orient oneself in culture, the basic types of art, history and contemporary social events, and the applicant's aptitude for working with children and young people.

In accordance with the knowledge and skills requirements for high school graduates in Slovak language and literature, the applicant should demonstrate adequate cognitive, reading and speaking skills. Specifically, this concerns his/her ability in correct public speaking (standard  pronunciation, correct application of suprasegmental and paralinguistic phenomena, ability to reproduce different types of texts); memory, classification and application skills (defining concepts and explaining their nature and their correlation in a system, and applying linguistic and literary knowledge in specific linguistic analyses and literary analyses, particularly in the light of reception experiences in other art forms).

The linguistic component also includes analytical, synthetic and creative skills, including the analysis and production of different types of texts, as well as their oral presentation; information skills (use of language dictionaries, ability to proofread own texts, search, process and use information from literary sources); communication and speaking skills (appropriate communication in the given communication situation, reading comprehension, evaluation of the text in terms of content, form, linguistic devices, form/genre, style, etc. ); digital skills.

Building on the above, the literary component emphasises analytical and interpretative skills (analysing literary works from a stylistic, thematic and compositional point of view, interpreting the meaning of a literary work, and an axiological grasp of the text (evaluating the work in the context of the time of its creation, as well as from one's own point of view and in a contemporary context).

Standard prerequisites for a successful upper secondary graduate include independent problem-solving in conditions that are usually predictable but may change, responsibility for work, responsibility for managing a small team, and evaluation of the results of one's own work and the work of others.

A graduate of the Bachelor's study programme Teaching Slovak Language and Literature (combined) in both full-time and external form is primarily prepared to continue his/her studies in the Master's study programme Teaching Slovak Language and Literature (combined), or in another related study programme. In the field of subject approbation, the graduate has acquired the cross-cutting knowledge and skills in Slovak language and literature corresponding to the current state of knowledge and the needs of practice at the level required for the first degree of study. He/she possesses generally applicable competences and transferable skills that are applicable in further education and occupation. The knowledge, skills and competences which are the focus of the component of the Common Social-Scientific, Pedagogical and Psychological Foundation of Teaching ("Teaching Foundation") are an integral part of the profile of the graduate of this Bachelor's degree programme.

Graduate Knowledge:

• thorough knowledge of the system, norm and codification of contemporary standard Slovak language in all its levels,

• he/she has a comprehensive knowledge of the theory of language and linguistics, the theory of literature, the history of Slovak literature of the 20th century, literature for children and youth and world literature,

• is familiar with artistic movements, representative authors and works,

• thorough knowledge of linguistic and literary analysis, interpretation and evaluation of texts,

• has knowledge of the use of language and literature, stylistic, genre and functional factors of communication, which can be applied in an educational setting, as well as in the writing of scientific texts, in the editing of documents and in correspondence,

• basic knowledge of proofreading and editing,

• knowledge of the historical heritage of Slovak culture and its intercultural context in a broader international context.

Graduate Study Skills:

• he/she is familiar with professional and scientific sources in the field of study, is able to actively obtain relevant information and correctly interpret and apply facts,

• is able to thoroughly analyse linguistic expressions from the sound, lexical, morphological, syntactic and stylistic levels,

• can analyse a literary text at the genre, composition, thematic-motive and linguistic-stylistic level, and has interpretive and evaluative skills,

• knows the usual procedures of linguistic and literary research and can use them creatively,

• can formulate and defend professional arguments,

• has a high level of command of the Slovak language, both written and spoken, depending on the communicative situation, and has developed communication and presentation skills,

• effectively uses Slovak language and literature as an educational tool in the intent of pupil-oriented, communicative and humanistic education,

• master the proofreading skills necessary for linguistic and visual control of the text,

• can actively acquire information and the latest knowledge in the field, works effectively with information technologies, databases and dictionaries.

Graduate Competences:

• he/she is characterised by creative thinking, can solve problems flexibly and independently,

• is able to cooperate in a team,

• applies the principles of authorial ethics,

• is able to argue relevantly in professional debate and to present the content of his/her field adequately to the general public,

• is able to cooperate effectively with professionals and lay people encountered in his/her field of activity,

• can think and discuss Slovak language and literature in a broader cultural and social context,

• has a sense of focused linguistic and literary activity,

• has developed a positive attitude towards his/her field,

• is able to organise and plan their own learning,

• has developed information, media and digital literacy,

• has internalised values and attitudes key to the democratic functioning of society.

By successfully completing the first degree of the study programme Teaching of Slovak Language and Literature (combined) in both full-time and external form, the student obtains a Bachelor's degree (B.Ed.), which entitles him/her to continue to the Master's degree and to obtain a full qualification for the performance of the professional activity of a pedagogical employee in the category of pedagogical professions.

Graduates of the first degree obtain qualifications corresponding to level 6 of the Slovak Qualification Framework (SKKR) for the following occupations and professions: pedagogical assistant and text proofreader.

They can also be employed in the field of education and culture, e.g. in education as a youth work methodologist, as a leisure time animator, as a worker in an educational agency, in the publishing and media field as a proofreader and editor, as a library worker, as an organisational and administrative worker in the field of education, culture, media, art, HR and tourism, as a state administration worker in the field of education and culture. He or she may also be useful as a verbal artist (novelist, poet, etc.).

List of training schools where students of the Slovak Language and Literature Teaching (combined) programme carry out their internships:

• Základná škola, Malokarpatské nám. 1, 841 03 Bratislava

• Gymnázium L. Novomeského, Tomášikova 2, 821 07 Bratislava

• Súkromné gymnázium, Vážska 32, 821 07 Bratislava

• Základná škola s materskou školu M. Hodžu, Škarniclova 1, 811 01 Bratislava

• 1. súkromné gymnázium v BA, Bajkalská 20, 821 08 Bratislava

• Základná škola P. Marcelyho, Drieňová 16, 821 03 Bratislava

• Základná škola s materskou školou M. R. Štefánika, Grösslingová 48, 811 09 Bratislava

• Základná škola SNP, Ostredková 14, 821 02 Bratislava

• Spojená škola, Tilgnerova 14, 841 05 Bratislava

• Súkromná základná škola, Sklenárova 1, 821 09 Bratislava

• Základná škola s materskou školou, Cádrova 23, 831 01 Bratislava

• Základná škola, Kulíškova 8, 821 08 Bratislava

• Súkromná základná škola pre žiakov s intelektovým nadaním CENADA, Majerníkova 60, 841 05 Bratislava

• Základná škola, Pankúchova 4, 851 04 Bratislava

• Základná škola, Vazovova 4, 811 07 Bratislava

• Základná škola s materskou školou, Za kasárňou 2, 831 03 Bratislava

• Základná škola s materskou školou, Česká 10, 831 03 Bratislava

• Základná škola s materskou školou, Sibírska 39, 831 02 Bratislava

• Súkromná základná škola FELIX, Krásnohorská 14, 851 07 Bratislava

• Základná škola, Hlboká cesta 4, 811 04 Bratislava

• Základná škola s materskou školu J. A. Komenského, Hubeného 25, 831 53 Bratislava

• Základná škola s materskou školou, Dubová 1, 811 04 Bratislava

List of Cooperating Institutions:

• Centre for Children's Literature, Reading and SK IBBY,

• Ľ. Štúr Institute of Linguistics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, v. v. i.

Partner Foreign Universities:
Comenius University has the opportunity to send students abroad for study or internship in the framework of its partnerships (Utrecht Network, SYLFF, some bilateral agreements) to 63 foreign universities in more than 30 countries in Europe and beyond. Even wider opportunities covering practically the whole world exist under other schemes, in particular under the Erasmus+ programme and activities under the umbrella of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Slovak Republic, implemented through SAIA. These are in particular: the Central European Exchange Programme for University Studies (CEEPUS), the National Scholarship Programme (NSP), the Austria-Slovakia Action, the Visegrad Fund, etc. New mobility opportunities within the broader Erasmus+ programme are offered by the ENLIGHT University Alliance, under which Comenius University in Bratislava has established educational cooperation with eight European universities in 2020: the University of Bordeaux, Ghent University, University of Groningen, University of Göttingen, University of Uppsala, University of Tartu, National University of Ireland, University of Galway and University of the Basque Country. The universities have committed themselves to offering their students a variety of learning formats ranging from short-term physical and virtual mobility to joint study programmes, building on accredited study programmes in each country, as well as recognising each other's courses.

Partner foreign institutions within the ERASMUS+ programme, with which the Department of Slovak Language and Literature has concluded bilateral agreements:

• Masaryk University in Brno, Faculty of Education

• Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem, Faculty of Education

• University of Hradec Králové, Faculty of Education.

• Srank_VTC_EN.pdf
• Srank_VUPCH_EN.pdf
• Brtanova_VTC_EN.pdf
• Brtanova_VUPCH_EN.pdf
• Zenuch_VTC_EN.pdf
• Zenuch_VUPCH_EN.pdf