The Montessori’s Values in Teaching English to Young Learners (TEYL)

Abstract

Teaching English to Young Learner (TEYL) becomes so popular today since the needs of facing globalization era. The Montessori Method one of the best educational methods for children based on the child development theory of Dr. Maria Montessori. The essence of the Montessori Method is to make the child an independent learner. This research uses descriptive qualitative method which aims to describe the implementation of Montessori’s values into Teaching English to Young Learners at Aisyiyah Kindergarten, Karanganyar. The subjects of this research are English teacher and 26 students in this school. Based on the results of the research, it was concluded that the application of Montessori's values in TEYL is able to increase students' interest and enthusiasm in learning English.

Criticizing Montessori’s Method of Early Childhood Education using Islamic Psychology Perspective

“…Because of the uniqueness of the Montessori's method and the achievement of educational indicators applied by this method, over the past decade, the use of the Montessori's method has increased rapidly in early childhood programs in public and private schools. The method has now been used by more than three thousand early childhood education programs, including contemporary teaching practices based on Montessori's material and practice (Adisti, 2016).…”

“…(Tsubaki & Matsuishi, 2008). This is because the children have a very absorbent mind about science, but this ability makes children able to teach themselves (Adisti, 2016;Kramer, 1988;Tsubaki & Matsuishi, 2008). This is also as expressed by Montessori as follows:…”

“…For her, the children's readiness for their own development period should be the basis of Montessori's education, so that it can produce educational methods that are appropriate for the stages and needs of children individually. In fact, according to her, children have the freedom to choose the type of learning activities in a structured environment (Adisti, 2016;Tsubaki & Matsuishi, 2008). The purpose of all learning methods and educational theories of Montessori is to help children become independent and productive human beings when they are adults (Harjaningrum & Wicaksono, 2007).…”

“…Educators often assume that someone is in a state of discipline only when he/she is made like a mute person and made motionless like a paralyzed person. According to Montessori, this method is not disciplining, but nullifying humans (Adisti, 2016).…”

“…In terms of the independence of children means they are free to do things that make them free from adult interference. For children, independence means being able to do something entirely by themselves (Adisti, 2016). Independence which is based on the freedom to be self-active, is the foundation for the values of perseverance in a task, resilience in doing something so that they can do it well.…”