Interpersonal relationships in class from the view of some primary school teachers from Slovenia, India and Iceland

• Main Author: Mirtič, Anamarija
• Format: Thesis
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: Razredni pouk; Indian; Iceland
• Online Access: http://pefprints.pef.uni-lj.si/975/; http://pefprints.pef.uni-lj.si/975/1/ANAMARIJA_MIRTI%C4%8C.pdf

This thesis is an attempt of gaining insight into teacher's understanding of interpersonal relations and social acceptance of pupils in class. I decided to further research this topic since the relations among pupils in class are important and affect their schoolwork, effectiveness in groups and various factors with regard to the progress of individuals. I was offered an opportunity of staying in India and Iceland and working at their schools. I was interested in the way the teachers from various cultural spheres understand the importance of interpersonal relations and social acceptance of individuals among their peers in class. Eighteen teachers took part in this research: Six Slovene teachers, six Indian teachers and six Icelandic teachers, who teach pupils from 1st to 6th class of elementary school. I was interested in the way the teachers recognize the relations among pupils in class, what are their strategies to improve interpersonal relations in class and in what way they help social unaccepted pupils. During my practical work in Slovene schools I noticed that teachers often used social games for the regulation of interpersonal relations, this is why I wanted to find out if this method is used also by Indian and Icelandic teachers. The analysis of the answers, given by the teachers who took part in the research, shows that teachers from all three elementary schools, in Slovenia, India and Iceland, emphasize the importance of conversation for the improvement of interpersonal relations. Indian teachers lay emphasis also on sincere concern and loving relation towards pupils. According to the majority of teachers, an important method for the evaluation of interpersonal relations in class is observation. The teachers also use social games to improve interpersonal relations and to include rejected and disregarded children.