The perfect moment for children to acquire language is during the ‘sensitive period’ of development, from birth until around six years of age. In a Montessori classroom, children acquire spoken language by relating the words they hear, to the work they are doing with their teachers, or in small groups.
Living language is a part of their daily life; they are able to register and absorb sounds, then repeat words with a perfect accent, as in singing a song.
In each of our classrooms there are two teachers, one always speaks French, and one always speaks English. This time-tested bilingual formula is unique, and creates an ideal dual language environment for learning. Many of our international children become comfortable communicating in a third, or even fourth language.
The children, currently representing over 20 different nationalities, relate and respond effortlessly to each other, and their teachers, in all disciplines.