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Foreign languages

At GRATA school, children have a great opportunity to get wrapped up in mastering a foreign language while working in a Montessori class. It happens naturally and easily.

The acquaintance and study of the English language, which is the second language of communication at school, begins on the very first day a child arrives at school.

The Montessori environment creates the perfect environment for learning a second language as it contains the key elements of language development.

Principles of approaching language at our school:

  • An individual approach to each child

In a Montessori classroom, children have the opportunity to move at their own pace. Realizing that each child is different both in the pace and in the ways of learning a language, the Montessori teacher closely observes the child and offers him lessons in accordance with his capabilities. The teaching of every child a foreign language can vary in speed and methods.

  • Language is part of the educational environment

In a Montessori class, a foreign language is part of the educational environment. Coming to class, children begin communicating with an English-speaking teacher throughout the day. Here throughout is much better

The child adds vocabulary through active interaction with English-speaking teachers. Communication takes place while working with materials in various areas of the class, in the process of cooking, going for walks and lunch. Thus, children have the opportunity to receive the active language in real life situations.

In each class of our school, there are two teachers working with children who are fluent in English.

  • The adult speaks only one language in the class

At our school, English speaking teachers always speak only English with children and adults in class. Thus, children become more motivated to communicate in a foreign language and can see clear separation of linguistic structures.

  • Early immersion of children in the language environment

Learning a language is easier during early childhood. Dr. Montessori has defined a "sensitive period" for language learning in children from birth to six years of age. At this age, children can easily learn a new language from their environment. At our school, children are introduced to a foreign language and gain experience of communication in it starting from pre-school.

  • Self-correction of errors

Children learn to correct mistakes on their own in a Montessori class. An adult only gives the correct example and carefully guides them. This gives children confidence in their abilities and the desire to speak a new language.

  • Learning grammar

From an early age, children absorb language grammar through interaction with English-speaking teachers in various situations throughout the day. Older children begin to learn parts of speech with grammar symbols in the Casa dei Bambini class with Montessori materials and continue their immersion in English grammar in the Elementary class.

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English in preschool programs of the GRATA school:

The main task in the program for children under six years old is to remove the language barrier through the establishment of friendly relations with native speakers.
Communication in English in class creates a natural immersion situation, children easily absorb unfamiliar speech just by listening throughout the day. All the new words - from animal figures, kitchen utensils, to mathematical concepts, polite phrases - do not need to be memorized from a textbook. The teacher always describes what he is doing, and children easily absorb these structures and phrases with the help of experience.
As a rule, by the age of six, children easily make contact with native speakers, begin to understand English well, answer with simple phrases, and ask simple questions. 

English at GRATA Elementary School:

In the Elementary program, hours are already purposefully allocated for teaching English. Lessons are held both directly in the Montessori environment using the grammatical material from class, and in separate groups, where children learn the language in accordance with their level of knowledge. We consider the acquisition of the skill of oral speech as an important aspect in the study of the language, therefore, in the annual learning program, offsite English sessions, cooking master classes and an English theater studio are planned. 

Other foreign languages ​​at GRATA school:

English is the main foreign language in the school's programs. When children develop an interest in another language, we consider the possibility of introducing it as an additional one. At the moment, our school has weekly Chinese lessons as part of Extracurricular activities in the Elementary class.

The benefits of a second language:

Language itself is not just means of communication. It is also a tool that opens up the opportunity for us to communicate, expands boundaries and changes the environment for the better. 
Knowing a foreign language broadens the possibilities of children in traveling around the world, allows them to fulfill their cognitive interest through communication with people from other countries. 
In addition to communication, knowledge of a language is inextricably linked to the study of different cultures, which provides a deep understanding of the differences between people and what unites them. 
In the long term, learning languages ​​from an early age gives you confidence that in the future your child will need less effort to learn the language required in high school or when choosing a place to study. 
At our school GRATA, children have a great opportunity to get wrapped up in learning (Even most adult native speakers don’t “master” their languages, let alone young kids using it as a second language) a foreign language while working in a Montessori class. It happens naturally and with almost no effort.