Innovative Bilingual Education in Montessori Schools – How to Effectively Combine Languages and Method

In the face of dynamic social and educational changes, Montessori teachers are encountering a new challenge: how to effectively implement bilingual education in alignment with Maria Montessori’s philosophy? The project Montessori Bilingual Innovations, developed by an international team of teachers from Poland and the Czech Republic, offers a comprehensive answer to this question.

Theory and Practice in Harmony

The project is grounded in Second Language Acquisition (SLA) theories (Krashen, Gass & Selinker), as well as the experience of seasoned practitioners. It incorporates the five stages of language acquisition and shows how they can be integrated into the daily rhythm of a Montessori classroom. The teacher’s role is especially emphasized—as a language guide and model.

Tools and Methods

The program includes:

• Bilingual lesson plans in subject areas such as mathematics, science, and culture.
• Examples of using CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) in a Montessori context.
• Strategies for motivating students to actively use the second language.
• Guidelines for collaboration with foreign language teachers.

Professional Development for Educators

Trainings held in Prague and Warsaw provided participants not only with new competencies but also opportunities to exchange best practices. The program includes proposals for classroom observations, mentoring, and tools for self-assessment.