Bilingualism

Knowledge of two languages at the level of a native speaker (or close to it) of each is one of the most beautiful gifts we can give children. This happens naturally and organically in families where parents or caregivers speak different languages. However, if there is only one language in your home, a kindergarten, where some teachers speak only a foreign language, can come to the rescue. It's worth taking advantage of the preschool age, which is extremely receptive to language learning, to introduce your child to more than one speech. So-called language immersion involves listening to natural, authentic utterances in concrete situations from everyday life that the child understands. As in the case of learning native speech, the child first becomes accustomed to the language, gradually begins to understand it, and only after some time, when he is ready to do so, begins to use it actively.

As with learning the native language, it is important not to expect immediate results from your child. Assimilating a language, native as well as foreign, takes time. A toddler who has constant contact with a foreign language will sooner or later begin to use it to communicate with the outside world.

Since the beginning of our activity, we have focused on immersion of children in English. The native speakers are with the children all the time, they don't just show up for short lessons. They work with the children on their own time, accompany them on walks and at meals, run circles and present Montessorian materials. This creates plenty of opportunities to soak up English, and we watch with joy and satisfaction every day as our preschoolers communicate more and more boldly and naturally in English.