Enhanced English
At the Montessori School of Como, English language teaching is integrated with an intercultural approach, which develops across all school levels, from the nursery to secondary school. This approach aims to provide students with advanced language skills and a deep understanding of different cultures, thus preparing the global citizens of tomorrow.
Nursery
At the nursery, a bilingual teacher is present every day and works alongside the educators to guide the use of materials and practical life activities in English. Daily lessons include role play, mimed songs, and play situations, all conducted in English.
Children's House
At the Children’s House, a native or bilingual teacher works full-time, assisting the classroom teachers. The teacher uses sensory and practical life materials to help children acquire English through games, stories, role-play, songs, and hands-on activities. This approach supports children’s language sensitivity, encouraging natural learning.
Primary School
In primary school, students have 9 hours of English per week, of which 3 hours are dedicated to curriculum-based workshops. The remaining hours include Cosmic Education activities and the Intercultural Project. The student groups are divided based on age:
- Starter Group: Grades I and II
- Intermediate Group: Grades III and IV
- Advanced Group: Grade V
The activities promote a natural and continuous exposure to the English language, respecting individual timings and children’s choices.
Middle School
In the lower secondary school, students dedicate 8 hours per week to English: 3 hours are part of the regular curriculum, and 5 hours are with a bilingual teacher. Of these, 2 hours are for language enhancement, and 3 hours are for CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) lessons in subjects such as history, geography, and science, taught in English.
Cross-cultural understanding is a key element of the Montessori method.
Through projects like Erasmus+ and the eTwinning platform, students have the opportunity to interact with peers from other European countries, participate in digital partnerships, and take part in study trips. This environment fosters understanding and acceptance of cultural differences, promoting personal and social growth for students.
The intercultural approach is reflected daily in school activities, encouraging students to reflect on their own identity and understand the relativity of perspectives, thus developing curious, open, and respectful personalities towards diversity.
