In early childhood, young children can learn multiple languages naturally and easily, without conscious effort. All they need is to be immersed in environments where the languages are used for daily life.
At Guidepost Montessori, we offer Spanish and Mandarin immersion in select Toddler and Children’s House classrooms. In each classroom, Spanish or Mandarin is the language Guides use during conversation, to lead classroom routines, and to conduct lessons on materials.
features of guidepost montessori's language immersion classrooms:
Native speakers & natural language fluency
Our immersion classrooms feature Guides who are not only Montessori-trained, but are also native Spanish or Mandarin speakers, and the daily classroom experience is conducted fully in Spanish or Mandarin.
This constant exposure to native Spanish or Mandarin allows children to learn the language with a native accent and natural intonation.
Dual-language literacy
Though all main lessons and classroom management conversations are held in the second language, English vocabulary lessons, as well as lessons for older children who are ready to learn to read and write in English, are given by a Montessori-trained native English speaker who works with students one-on-one or in small groups.
The result is literacy skills in both their first and second language.
Lifelong executive functioning & social-emotional benefits
When children learn a second language, they have to regularly make “mental switches” to go back and forth between both language. This increases a child’s cognitive flexibility—their ability to be nimble, look at problems from new angles, and not get bogged down by setbacks.
In addition to advanced executive functioning, bilingual children also show a head start in empathy and other social-emotional skills.
Learn more about the Spanish Immersion program
Learn more about the Mandarin Immersion program
In this video, we join Madden for a fun day in her toddler classroom at Guidepost Montessori at Las Flores in southern California.
Madden engages with practical life activities (food preparation, cleaning tables, etc.) and other Montessori lessons, as well as dancing, singing, and playtime with her friends—all in Mandarin!
at guidepost montessori, we believe every child is tremendously capable.
But what’s even better, the children believe it too.
Every child at Guidepost Montessori knows they can accomplish real things and engage in real learning. Not because someone tells them so, but because they choose it, experience it, and succeed at it every single day.