272 research outputs found
Model of the Development of Language Competences for Tourism
No full textAbstractThe article describes a proposed concept and implementation of individual intensive personalized language courses, such as Course of Meetings and Guiding in Eco and Geotourism, for the students of Management of Tourism within the project of Interdisciplinary, information-cognitive, linguistic and modular development of study (IKLIM) run at the Faculty of Informatics and Management in Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic. The author explores aims, identification of participant's needs, content, study materials development, distribution of study materials and evaluation of the individual courses in compliance with the requirements of the Common European Reference Framework for languages and overall project goals. All these highly specialized courses are run in three different languages: English, German and Spanish
Use of the Internet as a prevention tool against cognitive decline in normal aging
No full textBlanka Klimova Department of Applied Linguistics, Faculty of Informatics and Management, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic Abstract: Recent demographic trends indicate that older people appear to be one of the fastest growing population groups worldwide. In the year 2000, people older than 65 years represented 12.4% of the population. This number is expected to rise to 19% by 2030, particularly in developed countries. Therefore, there is sustained effort at both national and international levels to prolong the active life of these people as long as possible. Since the present older generation at the age of 55 years is already digitally literate, the use of technologies is one of the solutions. The purpose of this study is to discuss the role of the Internet in the prevention of cognitive decline in normal aging. The author examines clinical studies that exploit the use of the Internet, including online training programs, in the prevention of cognitive decline in healthy older individuals. The findings of the clinical studies indicate that the use of the Internet, especially online cognitive training programs, may have a positive effect on the improvement of cognitive functions in healthy older adults. Nevertheless, larger sample longitudinal randomized controlled clinical trials aimed at the prevention of cognitive decline among healthy older adults are needed. Keywords: healthy older individuals, Internet, prevention, cognitive functions, trainin
Acceptance and Use of Mobile Devices and Apps by Elderly People
No full textInternational audienceCurrently, there is an increase in the number of older generation groups. These demographic changes obviously cause serious social and economic problems. Therefore, there is a need to prolong an active life of elderly people, who want to lead active, fulfilling and quality life in a sense of their inclusion, socialization and independence. This can be achieved not only by continuous support from their family members, but current trends show an important role of information and communication technologies (ICT) in this process. The purpose of this study is to explore the acceptance and use of mobile technology, specifically mobile devices and applications by elderly people, both from the technical and sociological point of view. The methods used in this study include a method of literature review of available sources, a method of comparison and evaluation of the findings from the selected studies on this topic. The findings show that although there is a number of mobile apps for the elderly on the market, they do not usually meet specific needs of these people such as their physical and cognitive impairments or relevant technical specifications of mobile device designed for this group of people. In addition, since the use of mobile technologies by elderly people is quite a new field of research, there are almost no research studies which would prove acceptance of these mobile apps. Therefore, there is a need of vast and detailed research in this area and also find a solution to this complex technological and sociological issue
Mobile Phones and/or Smartphones and Their Use in the Management of Dementia – Findings from the Research Studies
No full textPart 1: Adoption of Smart ServicesInternational audienceNowadays, there are significant changes in the number of elderly people all over the world. This accelerating trend in the rise of elderly inevitably results in serious economic and social changes accompanied with a number of aging diseases such as dementia. The aim of the review study is to examine the exploitation of mobile phones and/or smartphones and their benefits and limitations for patients with dementia. The methods of this review involve literature search of accessible studies dealing with the topic on the exploitation of mobile phones and/or smartphones in dementia found in three acknowledged databases Science Direct, Web of Science, and MEDLINE. Furthermore, the results of the detected studies were compared and evaluated. The results of this article show that the use of mobile phones and/or smartphones by patients with dementia can provide support for the activities of daily life. In addition, they can reduce both mental and economic burden of their caregivers and help doctors in their assessments and diagnoses. Nevertheless, more original research studies, especially in the area of the effectiveness of their use should be conducted. The same is true for sustainable support in the use of mobile phones by patients with dementia
The Role of Feedback in EFL Classes
No full textAbstractEnthusiastic ELT teachers are always looking for new and effective approaches and methods which would contribute to the overall improvement of their students’ learning and their performance. One of the most effective ways of discovering this is collecting students’ responses in the form of feedback. Such responses can provide critical and constructive information about the current course, teacher performance, difficulties or challenges students experience/have experienced during the course and indicate steps which should be taken for the improvement of one's performance in future. Therefore the aim of this article is to emphasize the importance of feedback and focus on its different forms, such as formal and informal; or continuous and end-semester feedback. In addition, the author of this article explores specific benefits and constraints of four types of feedback at the example of teaching a Course of Academic Writing at the Faculty of Informatics and Management in Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
Cognitive decline in normal aging and its prevention: a review on non-pharmacological lifestyle strategies
No full textBlanka Klimova,1,2 Martin Valis,2 Kamil Kuca3,4 1Department of Applied Linguistics, Faculty of Informatics and Management, University of Hradec Kralove, 2Department of Neurology, 3Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, 4Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic Abstract: The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of the selected non-pharmacological lifestyle activities on the delay of cognitive decline in normal aging. This was done by conducting a literature review in the four acknowledged databases Web of Science, Scopus, MEDLINE, and Springer, and consequently by evaluating the findings of the relevant studies. The findings show that physical activities, such as walking and aerobic exercises, music therapy, adherence to Mediterranean diet, or solving crosswords, seem to be very promising lifestyle intervention tools. The results indicate that non-pharmacological lifestyle intervention activities should be intense and possibly done simultaneously in order to be effective in the prevention of cognitive decline. In addition, more longitudinal randomized controlled trials are needed in order to discover the most effective types and the duration of these intervention activities in the prevention of cognitive decline, typical of aging population groups. Keywords: cognitive impairment, healthy older individuals, intervention, benefit
Bilingualism as a strategy to delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease
No full textBlanka Klimova,1,2 Martin Valis,2 Kamil Kuca3,4 1Department of Applied Linguistics, Faculty of Informatics and Management, University of Hradec Kralove, 2Department of Neurology, 3Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, 4Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic Abstract: The purpose of this study is to explore original studies which provide evidence about the effects of bilingualism on the delay of the onset of dementia, specifically Alzheimer’s disease (AD). A literature review was conducted in the world’s acknowledged databases: Web of Science, Scopus, and MEDLINE. Altogether, 14 original studies focusing on the research topic were detected. These included six prospective cohort studies and eight retrospective studies. Both types of studies suggest different conclusions. The findings from the prospective cohort studies state that there is no association between bilingualism and the delay of the onset of AD, while the retrospective studies claim the opposite. Despite the negative results of the prospective cohort studies, more research should be conducted on bilingualism and its impact on the delay of the onset of AD, since the brain studies have brought positive findings as far as the enhancement of cognitive reserve is concerned. Keywords: older people, evidence, effectiveness, review, cognitio
Czech ERASMUS Students and their EAP Needs
No full textAbstractThis article examines the specific language difficulties and needs met by Czech ERASMUS students at the Faculty of Informatics and Management of the University of Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic in the course of going and studying abroad. The author thus questions the what to teach in EAP courses so that students can achieve their study objectives. She also addresses the issue of learning styles so that relevant teaching strategies for the teaching of EAP skills could be set
Games in the Teaching of English
No full textAbstractGame is a natural means for children to understand the world around them. Therefore, it should be part and parcel of their learning, including the learning of foreign languages. The aim of this article is thus to give a description of game, its classification and benefits for English teaching. In addition, the right timing for the implementation of game into the teaching is considered. The author also describes different ways of using games in language classrooms. In conclusion, she provides a list of tried and tested books and websites for ready-made games
Teaching English Abstract Writing Effectively
No full textAbstractThe knowledge of formal writing is very important in present global world. However, it is the skill which usually receives little attention. Therefore the aim of this article is to demonstrate how to teach formal writing, particularly the writing of abstracts in English. The author of this article provides clear guidelines how to write an abstract in English while reflecting on the most common errors the Czech students and academics make when they write their abstracts in English. In addition, she presents a video which supports her statements about writing a good abstract in English
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