SESSION 3B

Amin Zargarian
Implications of Montessori method in Text-based and Enquiry-based language teaching to adults

Abstract
This paper applies the findings of a previous research study on knowledge-building in Text-based teaching to another context-based, student-centred method, namely the Enquiry-based teaching approach. In order for this transition, I have adopted a number of suggested teaching/learning principles from the Montessori method of education. As Montessori suggests (1948/1967, pp. 1-2 in Lillard 2005/2007, pp.114), “The secret of success [in education] is found to lie in the right use of imagination in awakening interest, and the stimulation of seeds of interest already sown.” Although a majority of Montessorian principles and texts concentrate on child learning, most of the humanistic and individual implications of Montessori’s philosophy of teaching apply to adults at a similar level. I will set out to bring some evidence and examples from classroom application of the method in language teaching to adults. The intersection of text-based and enquiry-based language teaching will be examined through a Montessorian lens.

Bio
Amin Zargarian completed his education in English Translation in his home country, Iran. Having taught for almost 10 years prior to his migration to Australia, he completed his Masters of Arts in Applied Linguistics at the University of Adelaide in 2013. His main areas of interest are language, teaching, education, philosophy and psychoanalysis. He has been teaching in Kaplan International for the past two and a half years and he is particularly keen to apply theory and practice in the shaping of knowledge.