The Attitude of Future Primary School Teachers towards National Values

Abstract

In the context of world globalization nowadays, issues of nationality arise again. They become relevant in the condition of country integration and mixing of nations. The current problem is important enough to be researched, as Lithuania is becoming a more cosmopolitan state, the need for usage of foreign languages increases and nations internationalize. The aim of the research is to explore future primary school teacher’s attitudes towards national values. There were 93 students questioned in the 2012 at Lithuanian University of Educational Sciences. The analysis of the research results show that students have all the national values: they are proud of their nationality, religion, traditions, proud of their beautiful language, their honourable Lithuanian state, beautiful nature and architectural buildings. Majority of the students said that it’s very important residential place, because of its beautiful nature, their relationship with the people living here, because it’s theirs birthplace, because of architectural monuments and their parents’ real estate. However, more than half of the students doubt it they will be able to find good job based on their education, more than a third said it’s difficult to live here. Worrying factor could be focusing on the personal, material issues, not facing essential issues. Nowadays young people are more focused on personal values rather than societal values. The research displays that the majority of the students knows Lithuanian anthem, believes that it is very important to respect Lithuanian flag, to celebrate religious holidays and ethnic festivals, but only every five students expressed positive attitudes toward of folk songs, representing national values as a phenomenon. Some respondents indicated not very profound meaning of national values: they know only few folk songs, can’t tell the ethno music importance nowadays education.