1. The Language
Immersion
Montessori Classroom

2. hos@imsnc.org
 Kateri Carver-Akers, PhD
 International Montessori School
 www.imsnc.org
2

3. Benefits of Bilingualism
 Has a positive effect on intellectual growth and
enriches and enhances a child's mental development
 Leaves students with more flexibility in thinking,
greater sensitivity to language, and a better ear for
listening
 Improves a child's understanding of his/her native
language
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4. Terms, definitions and
models
 World languages, L2, target language, heritage
language, dual language, ESL, FLE, ELE ,
immersion, bilingual programming..
4

5. Terms, definitions and
models
 World languages, L2, target language, heritage
language, dual language, ESL, FLE, EL* ,
immersion, bilingual programming, etc…
 Language Immersion Montessori (LIM) or
Montessori Language Immersion
5

6. Terms, definitions and
models
 World languages, L2, target language, heritage
language, dual language, ESL, FLE, ELE ,
immersion, bilingual programming,
 Language Immersion Montessori (LIM) or
Montessori Language Immersion
 50/50 , 80/20, 90/10, TWI (Two-way immersion),
partial immersion, 1wayI (One way immersion)
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7. Tokyo, Japan
Jakarta, Indonesia
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8. The Bilingual Montessori School of Paris
Founded in 1972, The Bilingual Montessori School of Paris is an international, multicultural, bilingual
school dedicated to guiding and nurturing childrens' full development by providing a learning atmosphere that promotes peace,
harmony and respect based upon Montessori principles of education.
The Bilingual Montessori School of Paris seeks to aid and inspire children of all races, color, creed, nationality and religion.
Listen to the child, to the child’s rhythm. Respect our environment, the self, and all of us who make up mankind.
~ Barbara Baylor Porter
L’Ecole Montessori Bilingue de Paris a été crée en 1972. C’est une école bilingue internationale et multiculturelle. Cette école
s’attache à guider, à prendre soin, et à permettre un développement complet de l’enfant, dans une ambiance d’apprentissage,
basée sur le respect, la harmonie et la paix selon la pédagogie Montessori.
L’école aide et inspire les enfants de toutes races, culture, religion et nationalité.
Ecouter l’enfant, respecter son rythme. Se respecter soi-même et les autres, respecter son environnement et
l’ensemble de l’humanité. ~ Barbara Baylor Porter
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12. Language Immersion Montessori
 Of all the Montessori schools in the US, the few
schools that have bilingual or immersion
programming use:
- “Dual teacher language model”
12

13. Language Immersion Montessori
 Of all the Montessori schools in the US, the few
schools that have bilingual or immersion
programming use :
“Dual teacher language model”
There are NO “Dual teacher language” models in all
the professional research done in the past 30 years
on second language acquisition.
13

14. Why do Montessori Schools use the
“Dual Teacher Language” Model?
a. Montessori schools clearly know their language development in early
child
14

15. Why do Montessori Schools use the
“Dual Teacher Language” Model?
a. Montessori schools clearly know their language development in early
child
b. Montessori schools know the models but made a conscious decision to
go an alternative direction
15

16. Why do Montessori Schools use the
“Dual Teacher Language” Model?
a. Montessori schools clearly know their language development in early
child
b. Montessori schools know the models but made a conscious decision to
go an alternative direction
c. Montessori schools do not know about language acquisition research or
about the various language acquisition models available to choose from
16

17. Why do Montessori Schools use the
“Dual Teacher Language” Model?
a. Montessori schools clearly know their language development in early
child
b. Montessori schools know the models but made a conscious decision to
go an alternative direction
c. Montessori schools do not know about language acquisition research or
about the various language acquisition models available to choose from
d. Montessori schools know the models but do not know how to implement
their chosen model
17

18. Why do Montessori Schools use the
“Dual Teacher Language” Model?
a. Montessori schools clearly know their language development in early
child
b. Montessori schools know the models but made a conscious decision to
go an alternative direction
c. Montessori schools do not know about language acquisition research or
about the various language acquisition models available to choose from
d. Montessori schools know the models but do not know how to implement
their chosen model
e. Montessori school know the research and desired model but have various
constraints:
- facility
- funding
- staffing
- solid long term plan for bi-literacy
- parent buy-in
- fears
f. … 18

19. How do L2 programs choose a
model?
Desired outcome
Student population
19

20. Why do Montessori Schools use the
“Dual Teacher Language” Model?
a. Montessori schools clearly know their language development in early
child
b. Montessori schools know the models but made a conscious decision to
go an alternative direction
c. Montessori schools do not know about language acquisition research or
about the various language acquisition models available to choose from
d. Montessori schools know the models but do not know how to implement
their chosen model
e. Montessori school know the research and desired model but have various
constraints:
- facility
- funding
- staffing
- solid long term plan, ( for bi-literacy),
- parent buy-in
- fears
f. … 20

21. 9 Elements for Successful Language
Acquisition Environments & Montessori
Environments
 Differentiation
21

22. 9 Elements for Successful Language
Acquisition Environments & Montessori
Environments
 Differentiation
 Highly contextualized and highly interactive environment
22

23. 9 Elements for Successful Language
Acquisition Environments & Montessori
Environments
 Differentiation
 Highly contextualized and highly interactive environment
 Affective Filter
23

24. 9 Elements for Successful Language
Acquisition Environments & Montessori
Environments
 Differentiation
 Highly contextualized and highly interactive environment
 Affective Filter
 Monitoring
24

25. 9 Elements for Successful Language
Acquisition Environments & Montessori
Environments
 Differentiation
 Highly contextualized and highly interactive environment
 Affective Filter
 Monitoring
 Literacy focus and knowledge of grammar
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31. 31
A Montessori Journey: 1907-2007 published by NAMTA

32. 32

33. 9 Elements for Successful Language
Acquisition Environments & Montessori
Environments
 Differentiation
 Highly contextualized and highly interactive environment
 Affective Filter
 Monitoring
 Knowledge of grammar and strong literacy
 Intentional Language
 L2 teaching strategies
33

34. 9 Elements for Successful Language
Acquisition Environments & Montessori
Environments
 Differentiation
 Highly contextualized and highly interactive environment
 Affective Filter
 Monitoring
 Knowledge of grammar and strong literacy
 Intentional Language
 ESL or L2 teaching strategies
 Modeling
34

35. 9 Elements for Successful Language
Acquisition Environments & Montessori
Environments
 Differentiation
 Highly contextualized and highly interactive environment
 Affective Filter
 Monitoring
 Knowledge of grammar and strong literacy
 Intentional Language
 ESL or L2 teaching strategies
 Modeling
 Cultural Competency
35

36. 1 GREAT Reason why Bilingualism
supports the Montessori Philosophy
Peace Education
Bilingual cultural ambassadors
Bilingual cultural diplomacy
36

37. 1 GREAT Reason why Bilingualism
supports the Montessori Philosophy
 Peace Education
Bilingual cultural ambassadors
Bilingual cultural diplomacy
1. Respect and Recognition of Cultural Diversity and Heritage
2. Global Intercultural Dialogue
3. Justice, Equality and Interdependence
4. Protection of Human Rights
5. Peace and Stability
37

38. Language Immersion Montessori
LANGUAGE
ACQUISITION
MONTESSORI
38

39. Elementary Language Immersion
Montessori
80/20 immersion model
English usage
Target
Language
English
Langauge Arts

40. The ‘How-to’ of LIM
 Program development
 Characteristics of successful immersion programs
 Language Immersion Montessori teachers
 Target Language usage and best practices in a LIM
 Parent Education
 Materials
 Measuring Outcomes
40

41. Program development- over 6 yrs.
41
Avg. Total # 7 14 22
7 returning
3rd years
7 returning
2nd years
7 returning
2nd years
Prep
Space &
Materials
6-8
rising 1st
yrs.
7-8
rising 1st
yrs.
8
rising 1st
yrs.
6 months Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
Lead -FT 1 Lead 1 Lead 1 Lead
Avg. Total # 9 16 24 1 Assnt 1 Assnt
6.5 to 9.5
hrs
Prep
Space &
Materials
8 to 10
2.5 - 3 yr.
olds
6 to 8 3
yr. olds
8 3
yr. olds
3 months Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6
Lead -PT 1 Lead 1 Lead 1 Lead
1 Assnt 1 Assnt 3 Assnts
3.5 hrs /day 6.5 hrs/day 9.5 hrs 6.5 hrs/day 6.5 hrs/day 6.5 hrs/day
Primary Classroom
3-6 yr. olds
Lower Elementary
6-9 yr olds
Program Dir. yr. 1 PT ; yrs 2-3 FT
PT English Teacher
PT Music / P.E./ Art
STAFFING
Staffing

42. 42
Prep
Space &
Materials
3 months
Lead -PT
Primary Classroom
3-6 yr. olds
Staffing
Program development- year 1

43. 43
Program development- year 2
Avg. Total # 9 16
9 returning
4 yr olds
Prep
Space &
Materials
8 to 10
2.5 - 3
yr. olds
6 to 8
new 3 yr.
olds
3 months Year 1 Year 2
Lead -PT 1 Lead 1 Lead
1 Assnt 1 Assnt
3.5 hrs /day 6.5 hrs/day
Primary Classroom
3-6 yr. olds
Staffing

44. 44
Program development- year 3
Prep
Space &
Materials
6 months
Lead -FT
Avg. Total # 9 16 24
8 returning
5 yr. olds
NOTE: length
of day:
6.5-9.5 hrs
9 returning
4 yr. olds
8 returning
4 yr. olds
Prep
Space &
Materials
8 to 10
new 2.5 - 3
yr. olds
6 to 8
new 3 yr.
olds
8
new 3 yr.
olds
3 months Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
Lead -PT 1 Lead 1 Lead 1 Lead
1 Assnt 1 Assnt 3 Assnts
3.5 hrs /day 6.5 hrs/day 9.5 hrs
Primary Classroom
3-6 yr. olds
Lower Elementary
6-9 yr olds
STAFFING
Staffing

45. 45
Program development- year 4
Avg. Total # 7
Prep
Space &
Materials
6-8
rising 1st
yrs.
6 months Year 1
Lead -FT 1 Lead
Avg. Total # 9 16 24
8 returning
5 yr. olds
NOTE: length
of day:
6.5-9.5 hrs
9 returning
4 yr. olds
8 returning
4 yr. olds
Prep
Space &
Materials
8 to 10
2.5 - 3
yr. olds
6 to 8
new 3 yr.
olds
8
new 3 yr.
olds
3 months Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4
Lead -PT 1 Lead 1 Lead 1 Lead
1 Assnt 1 Assnt 3 Assnts
3.5 hrs /day 6.5 hrs/day 9.5 hrs 6.5 hrs/day
Primary Classroom
3-6 yr. olds
Lower Elementary
6-9 yr olds
Program Dir. yr. 1 PT ; yrs 2-3 FT
PT English Teacher
PT Music / P.E./ Art
STAFFING
Staffing

46. 46
Program development- year 5
Avg. Total # 7 14
7 returning
2nd years
Prep
Space &
Materials
6-8
1st yrs.
7-8
rising 1st
yrs.
6 months Year 1 Year 2
Lead -FT 1 Lead 1 Lead
Avg. Total # 9 16 24 1 Assnt
6.5 to 9.5
hrs
Prep
Space &
Materials
8 to 10
2.5 - 3
yr. olds
6 to 8
3 yr. olds
8
3 yr. olds
3 months Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
Lead -PT 1 Lead 1 Lead 1 Lead
1 Assnt 1 Assnt 3 Assnts
3.5 hrs /day 6.5 hrs/day 9.5 hrs 6.5 hrs/day 6.5 hrs/day
Primary Classroom
3-6 yr. olds
Lower Elementary
6-9 yr olds
Program Dir. yr. 1 PT ; yrs 2-3 FT
PT English Teacher
PT Music / P.E./ Art
STAFFING
Staffing

47. 47
Program development- year 6
Avg. Total # 7 14 22
7 returning
3rd years
7 returning
2nd years
7 returning
2nd years
Prep
Space &
Materials
6-8
rising 1st
yrs.
7-8
rising 1st
yrs.
8
rising 1st
yrs.
6 months Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
Lead -FT 1 Lead 1 Lead 1 Lead
Avg. Total # 9 16 24 1 Assnt 1 Assnt
6.5 to 9.5
hrs
Prep
Space &
Materials
8 to 10
2.5 - 3 yr.
olds
6 to 8 3
yr. olds
8 3
yr. olds
3 months Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6
Lead -PT 1 Lead 1 Lead 1 Lead
1 Assnt 1 Assnt 3 Assnts
3.5 hrs /day 6.5 hrs/day 9.5 hrs 6.5 hrs/day 6.5 hrs/day 6.5 hrs/day
Primary Classroom
3-6 yr. olds
Lower Elementary
6-9 yr olds
Program Dir. yr. 1 PT ; yrs 2-3 FT
PT English Teacher
PT Music / P.E./ Art
STAFFING
Staffing

48. Characteristics of successful
immersion programs
- Teaching literacy in the target language first
- Teaching literacy in one language at a time
- Teach literacy in native language second
- All lessons take place in one language
- Restrict entry after 1st grade
- Well developed curriculum with materials
- Family commitment
- Enrollment retention
48

49. Language Immersion Montessori
teachers – lessons learned
 Speak target language at near native fluency
 Speak English
 Experience teaching the language – desired
 Experience with children
 General / college educational requirements of the school
 Montessori certification
 Good computer skills
 Teaching to read in target language
 Knowledge of children’s songs from the culture
 Excellent intentional language
49

50. Target Language Usage and
Best Practices
- Different policies on L2 usage according to levels

51. Target Language Usage and
Best Practices
- Different policies on L2 usage according to levels
- Policies on speaking English– students, teachers, parents

52. Target Language Usage and
Best Practices
- Different policies on L2 usage according to levels
- Policies on speaking English– students, teachers, parents
- All written material in the classroom - target language
- Cursive vs. Print

53. Target Language Usage and
Best Practices
- Different policies on L2 usage according to levels
- Policies on speaking English– students, teachers, parents
- All written material in the classroom - target language
- Cursive vs. Print
- Conference Reports and Communication

54. Target Language Usage and
Best Practices
- Different policies on L2 usage according to levels
- Policies on speaking English– students, teachers, parents
- All written material in the classroom - target language
- Cursive vs. Print
- Conference Reports and Communication
- Use traditional Montessori names of works and terms

55. Target Language Usage and
Best Practices
- Different policies on L2 usage according to levels
- Policies on speaking English– students, teachers, parents
- All written material in the classroom - target language
- Cursive vs. Print
- Conference Reports and Communication
- Use traditional Montessori names of works and terms
- L.I. Strategies for the classroom

56. Target Language Usage and
Best Practices
- Different policies on L2 usage according to levels
- Policies on speaking English– students, teachers, parents
- All written material in the classroom - target language
- Cursive vs. Print
- Conference Reports and Communication
- Use traditional Montessori names of works and terms
- L.I. Strategies for the classroom
- Flexibility

57. Target Language Usage and
Best Practices
- Different policies on L2 usage according to levels
- Policies on speaking English– students, teachers, parents
- All written material in the classroom - target language
- Cursive vs. Print
- Conference Reports and Communication
- Use traditional Montessori names of works and terms
- L.I. Strategies for the classroom
- Flexibility
- All lessons of the same content delivered in target language

58. Target Language Usage and
Best Practices
- Different policies on L2 usage according to levels
- Policies on speaking English– students, teachers, parents
- All written material in the classroom - target language
- Cursive vs. Print
- Conference Reports and Communication
- Use traditional Montessori names of works and terms
- L.I. Strategies for the classroom
- Flexibility
- All lessons in target language
- A Plan for Bi-literacy
- A Plan for specials ( P.E. Music Art etc)

59. Parent Education
 Will my child feel at ease in a LIM classroom?
 Will my child loose his/her English?
 Will my child learn to read in English?
 How well can s/he speak? Read? Write?
 How much will s/he retain after leaving Primary?
 What if I do not speak the language?
---
Use media to demonstrate: video & audio recording
Use scholarly research on language acquisition
59

60. Materials
 MAKE, MAKE and make some more!
 Hire a separate PT person for this
 Be efficient in design and with resources
 Standardize: fonts, colors, styles
60

61. Most all works made on labels
61
in
le pin
le v in
le lapin
le jardin
ein
la pein ture
le cein ture
le rein
le pl ein
ain
la m ain
le tr ain
le pain
le poulain

62. 62

63. Measuring outcomes
 Have a plan to document fluency
 Have a plan to document writing
 Use tools that measured outcomes and that are
normed by age, state or nationally
 Do OPIs – and other tools for measuring language
acquisition
63

64. GRACIAS
DANKE
MERCI
64