Foreign Language Learning

in a Montessori 6-12 Classroom

Foundational Course for Practitioners

with Jana Winnefeld

May 20 - June 24, 2024

Monday

Online on Zoom

16:30 - 18:00 CET

6 weeks

Montessori education can work well in many (subject) areas in the 6-12 classroom, but what about a foreign language (L2)? There must be a way, right?

There is this dream of autonomous L2 learning, of connecting Montessori with the L2. However, our experience with this pressing question can be different and problematic. How can Montessori and L2 acquisition be integrated successfully so that the L2 becomes an integral part of the Montessori environment? Is it even possible?

Yes, it is & it can be much more than that too: Helping children to become autonomous in the L2 and in L2 learning and then seeing it play out and function in your Montessori classroom can be such a rewarding and joyful process. Come join the course to discover how to create an environment where children can thrive in the L2.

Meet your lecturer

Jana Winnefeld

Jana is currently working at the Montessori Campus Dietzenbach close to Frankfurt (Germany) and teaches English as a foreign language in Montessori classrooms for children aged 6-10.

She trained as an AMI 6-12 Montessori guide. In the past, Jana worked at the University of Hildesheim in the areas of general teacher training and “Teaching English as a Foreign Language”. She also conducted research on Task-based Language Teaching in a Montessori environment.

Together with two colleagues, she developed a module for foreign language learning for the Deutsche Montessori Gesellschaft (German Montessori Society) as part of their Montessori diploma course.

Jana’s passion lies in combining Montessori, learner autonomy, and what we know about L2 acquisition, taking that into the Montessori classroom, and sharing about it in teacher training. Jana loves elephants, Yoga, and English children’s books.

“I look forward to being with you on this journey! I would love to let you in on my learnings and help you create an environment where your children can develop L2 skills and autonomy in your Montessori classroom.”

Join our introductory course and discover:

How Montessori and L2 acquisition can be integrated successfully so that the L2 becomes an integral part of the Montessori environment
What elements are necessary for successful L2 acquisition
What your role and the children’s role in L2 learning is
How you can cater to the needs of the 6-12 child
What language learner autonomy is and how to help children develop it
How you can offer meaningful activities in the L2 including small and bigger projects for beginner and more advanced kids in your classroom

Foreign Language Learning in a Montessori 6-12 Classroom

347 EUR

per person

Foundational Course

✔ Orientation meeting on May 14

✔ 6 online sessions from May 20

✔ Recordings of the sessions

✔ Access to a private FB group

✔ Certificate of attendance

✔ Support materials

✔ Small group of 30 participants

Schedule

MAY 20 - JUNE 24, 2024

6 x consecutive weeks

Mondays

4:30 - 6:00 PM CEST (GMT+2)

Click here to check your local time

Orientation meeting: May 14

4:30 - 5:00 PM CEST (GMT+2)

MEETINGS ONLINE
Live Sessions will be held on Zoom
PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUP
You will receive additional support in a closed FB group which will be available during the time of the program.
RECORDINGS
Zoom meetings will be streamed into the FB group in case you cannot attend one of the Zoom lives.
SHARED MATERIALS
We will be using Padlet or Google Docs - you will receive training on how to use these tools during the Orientation meeting.
CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE
Issued by Montessori Institute Prague

Maybe this is you:

You love Montessori education, perhaps you are Montessori trained but..
...you are not sure how to offer an L2 in a Montessori way. Maybe you have tried it, but have been struggling because autonomy in the L2 is not as easy as you thought or the kids just do not seem to be speaking in the L2.
You have been told that everything in the 6-12 Montessori classroom can just be done in the L2 but you realize...
...in your day to day practice that something is missing. Acquiring an L2 seems to require something else/more and you don't know where to turn to.

You love Montessori education, perhaps you are Montessori trained but..
...you are not sure how to offer an L2 in a Montessori way. Maybe you have tried it, but have been struggling because autonomy in the L2 is not as easy as you thought or the kids just do not seem to be speaking in the L2.
You have been told that everything in the 6-12 Montessori classroom can just be done in the L2 but you realize...
...in your day to day practice that something is missing. Acquiring an L2 seems to require something else/more and you don't know where to turn to.
You are an L2 teacher who has been hired by a Montessori school...
...but you are not Montessori trained and are wondering how L2 learning could work in such an autonomous environment. Or you would simply like your learning environment to become more autonomous with regards to the L2.
You have a group of children who have very different L2 skills...
...and you would like to learn how to cater to their different needs.

You are an L2 teacher who has been hired by a Montessori school...
...but you are not Montessori trained and are wondering how L2 learning could work in such an autonomous environment. Or you would simply like your learning environment to become more autonomous with regards to the L2.
You have a group of children who have very different L2 skills...
...and you would like to learn how to cater to their different needs.

No matter where you are on this journey, if you see yourself in description above or you have any questions with regards to L2 in Montessori, autonomous L2 learning and L2 acquisition, this course is for you.

What will you get?

Theoretical background on the “how” and the “why” of offering an L2 in Montessori.

It will give you confidence when introducing the L2 in your classroom and when sharing with colleagues or parents.

Insights on how to speak to the children’s intrinsic motivation...

...and how to support them to lose fear of dealing with the L2. The aim is to enjoy working with and communicating in the L2.

Possibility to find a community or a “buddy” among the participants.

You can stay in touch with them and consult your questions even after the course is over.

Clarity on how the advantages and beauty of Montessori education can be applied to the L2

Understanding and tools of how to increase your kids’ language skills and autonomy

Opportunity to try out meaningful language activities for children aged 6-12 and practical ideas ready to take into your classroom

Bonuses

Support provided via the closed FB group during the 6-week course.

Possibility to discuss your pressing questions related to the topics selected for this introductory course.

What will you get?

Theoretical background on the “how” and the “why” of offering an L2 in Montessori.

It will give you confidence when introducing the L2 in your classroom and when sharing with colleagues or parents.

Insights on how to speak to the children’s intrinsic motivation...

...and how to support them to lose fear of dealing with the L2. The aim is to enjoy working with and communicating in the L2.

Possibility to find a community or a “buddy” among the participants.

You can stay in touch with them and consult your questions even after the course is over.

Clarity on how the advantages and beauty of Montessori education can be applied to the L2

Understanding and tools of how to increase your kids’ language skills and autonomy

Opportunity to try out meaningful language activities for children aged 6-12 and practical ideas ready to take into your classroom

Bonuses

Support provided via the closed FB group during the 6-week course.

Possibility to discuss your pressing questions related to the topics selected for this introductory course.

Foreign Language Learning in a Montessori 6-12 Classroom

347 EUR

per person

FOUNDATIONAL COURSE

✔ Orientation meeting on May 14

✔ 6 online sessions from May 20

✔ Recordings of the sessions

✔ Certificate of attendance

This Program is suitable for:

Anyone currently working with a second language in the 6-12 Montessori classroom:

Montessori trained and untrained guides
L2 specialists working in a Montessori setting or other autonomous classroom setting
Classroom assistants

Anyone who has an open (growth) mindset of what children are capable of doing...

...in a foreign language and who is willing to move from merely instructing to communicating, facilitating, and advising.

Anyone who is open to possibilities and to additions for L2 learning in Montessori...

...that are in line with Montessori and what we know about L2 acquisition. The aim is to foster L2 skills as well as language learner autonomy.

Anyone willing to be an active agent in their learning...

...and wants to think, discuss, reflect their own work and collect inspiration from others.

This Program is not suitable for:

Those who look for an in-depth course of “how to” where all the steps are provided for them.

In six sessions, a complex subject like L2 acquisition and learner autonomy in Montessori cannot be covered in an extensive way but the course will provide you with a foundation you can build on.

Those who cannot devote at least 60 minutes a week for preparation for live sessions.

There will be reflections required to do in between the live sessions (approx. 30 minutes anytime before the session and 30 minutes to reflect after).

Over the course of six sessions we will:

Get to know the basics of L2 acquisition and how to foster the development of speaking skills in the L2
Discover how to work with kids who have little to no skills in the L2 & how to work with more advanced L2 learners.
Gain understanding of language learner autonomy and identify ways to support it.
Learn about the importance and the “how” of project work in the L2.
Try out meaningful practical activities you can use in your classroom.
Discuss what a prepared environment for L2 acquisition in Montessori entails.

Foreign Language Learning in a Montessori 6-12 Classroom

347 EUR

per person

FOUNDATIONAL COURSE

✔ Orientation meeting on May 14

✔ 6 online sessions from May 20

✔ Recordings of the sessions

✔ Certificate of attendance

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the sessions be recorded and provided for replay?

Yes! Recordings of the live sessions will be available in the closed Facebook group till August 31, 2024.

Can I attend this course even if I do not have any experience with L2 teaching or with Montessori?

Yes, of course. The course director will provide everything needed for you to be able to follow the content of the course. You do not have to have any previous experience with L2 teaching or Montessori. Nevertheless, this course is not an introduction to Montessori but an introduction of how you can offer an L2 in a Montessori environment (or another autonomous classroom).

Are there going to be any assignments?

No and yes. No, there will be no graded assignments during the program or at the end of it. No, you will not have to turn anything in. But you will need to answer for yourself questions related to the session's topic before the online session and then reflect upon your experience after the session is over. The main principle is the following: THE MORE (THINKING) YOU PUT IN, THE MORE YOU GET OUT OF IT. The estimated minimum of work outside the session is 60 minutes - approximately 30 minutes anytime before the session and 30 min anytime after the session.

DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION?

Feel free to contact us!