Language Acquisition - Multilingual Montessori

Sophia O’Brien-Udry on Teaching in a Bilingual Montessori School

By Gabrielle Kotkov October 21, 2022Podcast

Sophia O’Brien-Udry is a Children’s House guide at a Montessori school in New York City. Although Sophia is monolingual herself, she teaches at a bilingual Montessori school, and we talk…

Jackie Howard, Bilingual Educator and Former Montessori Child

By Gabrielle Kotkov October 21, 2022Podcast

Jackie Howard is a bilingual educator and former Montessori child living in Austin, Texas. Jackie grew up speaking Spanish and English at home, and went to a Montessori school from…

Melina Gac Levin, Founder of NYC’s First Forest School en Español

By Gabrielle Kotkov October 21, 2022Podcast

Melina Gac Levin is an educator and bilingual parent who lives in Brooklyn, NY. She is the founder of Pueblo, which supports multicultural families through parenting classes and consultations. She…

Natalia Sáez, Bilingual Education & Applied Linguistics Professor at Columbia University

By Gabrielle Kotkov October 19, 2022Podcast

Natalia Sáez is a professor and researcher at Teachers College Columbia University focusing on second language development as well as bilingual/bicultural education. Natalia is also the founder and co-owner of…

Yuna Seong, Language Program Director at Columbia University

By Gabrielle Kotkov October 17, 2022Podcast

Yuna Seong is a language educator and assessment expert living in New Jersey. She is the Director of the Community Language Program, the TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other…

Diandra Morse from Bilingual Playdate

By Gabrielle Kotkov October 17, 2022Podcast

Diandra Morse is a bilingual mom, licensed clinical social worker and child advocate living in Syracuse, New York with her husband and two bilingual sons. Diandra is Dominican American and…

What are the three types of bilingualism?

By Gabrielle Kotkov September 23, 2021Language FAQ

Researchers have identified three ways that people acquire a second language: simultaneous bilingualism, successive bilingualism, and receptive bilingualism. Simultaneous bilingualism is when you learn two languages at the same time,…

5 Ways to Support Literacy During the Summer

By Gabrielle Kotkov July 1, 2021Language FAQ

1. Visit the Library Create a library ritual: go to the library on the same day each week, or attend a weekly storytime with a friend. Many public libraries have…

What are different models of bilingual education?

By Gabrielle Kotkov July 1, 2021Language FAQ

Not all bilingual education programs are structured the same! When searching for a bilingual education program for your child, here are some things to keep in mind. The Enrichment Model…

Does bilingualism cause language delays in children?

By Gabrielle Kotkov July 1, 2021Language FAQ

NO! Bilingual children’s language development does not lag behind that of their monolingual peers. In fact, bilingualism has many positive effects on language acquisition and development. Bilingual children might appear…

What is the Sandwich Technique?

By Gabrielle Kotkov April 17, 2021Language FAQ

The Sandwich Technique is a method used in foreign language teaching, and can be used with our young children when introducing new vocabulary in the target language. For example, if…

Methods for Raising Bilingual Children

By Gabrielle Kotkov April 8, 2021Language FAQ

OPOL: One Parent One Language When parents speak two different languages, they can each speak to the child exclusively in their own language. (This is usually their native language, but…

Is it too late to raise my child bilingual?

By Gabrielle Kotkov January 17, 2021Language FAQ, Montessori FAQ

A question I hear all the time is: Is it too late to raise my child bilingual? NO! It’s never too late for a child to learn to speak another…

Can I Teach My Child a Language That Isn’t My Native Language?

By Gabrielle Kotkov December 26, 2020Language FAQ, Montessori FAQ

Yes! We can absolutely teach our children languages even if we aren't native speakers. It takes a little extra effort and dedication, but it's well worth it. Learn Together Make…

How Can We Help Young Children Prepare Their Hands for Writing?

By Gabrielle Kotkov October 27, 2020Montessori FAQ

How can we help young children prepare their hands for writing? Providing children with opportunities for purposeful movement allows them to develop the hand strength and hand-eye coordination needed write.…

What is the Sensitive Period for Language?

By Gabrielle Kotkov September 9, 2020Montessori Terms

What is the Sensitive Period for Language? Dr. Montessori described sensitive periods as a window of time in which a child’s interests are focused on developing a certain skill, like…

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