Cognitive Approach to Language as a Meaningful and Eff ective Way of Teaching

Abstract

Th e contribution is a response to the absence of a cognitive approach to language in school. It points out the advantages in this way oriented language teaching and at the same time draws attention to the potential of cognitively focused didactics of the mother tongue. In this concept, the student realizes that he learns about the world through language, thus revealing the meaning of language teaching. Th is awareness of meaning can become a facilitator of fulfi lling the upbringing and educational goals of the Czech language as a learning subject. A cognitive approach to a language also gives the teacher a diagnostic tool to reveal the cognitive processes of pupils and students. It indicates what they focus their attention on, what their interests and value orientation are. Awareness of the cognitive function of language is enhanced by reading appropriately chosen texts, especially artistic, folklore and culturally shared texts in general. Ordinary everyday communication and public speeches also off er a non-negligible cognitive value. Texts and exercises will be presented in the contribution, which vividly illustrate the educational and upbringing contribution of the cognitive approach to language.