Multilingual Montessori
Gabrielle Kotkov
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Multilingual Montessori is a podcast focused on multilingualism, multiculturalism, and child-rearing through the lens of Montessori education. Hosted by Gabrielle Kotkov, an AMI Montessori guide and TESOL instructor, the show explores practical and philosophical aspects of raising children in multilingual environments. Each episode offers insights drawn from Montessori principles to help parents and educators support language development and cultural awareness. Listeners can find additional resources on the podcast's website and Instagram.
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67. How Do I Keep a Minority Language Playgroup in the Minority Language? 06.08.2026 23Min.In this episode of the Multilingual Montessori Podcast, Jenna has a recap of her trip to Ireland! We discuss the revitalization efforts that have been made in the last few decades to bring the Irish language back to a place of prominence in Ireland, and Jenna even shares a phrase in Irish that she learned.Gabrielle is also thrilled to share that her new workshop, Parenting Multilingual Children, is now available! Check it out here.This month, we’re answering a question from a US-based parent who wants to start a Spanish language playgroup with families in her area, but is concerned that the children will speak to each other in English, especially those who know each other from school. Tune in to hear our advice to her!Have a question you'd like us to answer on the podcast? Submit it here!Things we mention in the episode:Gabrielle's Parenting Multilingual Children WorkshopFollow Multilingual Montessori:WebsiteInstagramConsultationsSupport the Podcast -
66. Bilingualism at Three (and a half!) 09.07.2026 25Min.Today’s conversation is the fourth in a series of check-ins with my good friend and bilingual mom, Samantha! We previously checked in when Samantha’s daughter was 12 months, 15 months, and 18 months old. (If you missed our previous conversations, you can go back and listen to them: they are episode 50, episode 56, and episode 59.) And then...I took a hiatus from the podcast! Now it's been two years since our last check-in, and Samantha's daughter is three and a half years old. She has been attending a Montessori school and speaking a lot, in both English and Italian. Listen in to my conversation with Samantha to hear about how bilingualism is going in their family now that her daughter is three.Things we mention in the episode:Parenting Multilingual Children WorkshopItalian Audiobooks: https://www.ilnarratore.com/it/ and https://www.libraccio.it/Follow Multilingual Montessori:WebsiteInstagramConsultationsSupport the Podcast
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65. Should you be speaking only the minority language at home? 07.05.2026 23Min.In this episode of the Multilingual Montessori Podcast, we have a Broadway-themed episode! Jenna and Gabrielle are both working on Broadway shows this season, and Jenna is taking her kid to see the Broadway production of Frozen in Germany soon.Gabrielle is also thrilled to share that her new workshop, Parenting Multilingual Children, is now available! Check it out here.This month, we’re answering the question: Should you be speaking only the minority language at home? And does this answer change based on where you're located, or what the minority language is?Have a question you'd like us to answer on the podcast? Submit it here!Follow Multilingual Montessori:Parenting Multilingual Children WorkshopWebsiteInstagramConsultationsCourses and Workshops
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64. Can kids learn language from a screen? 09.04.2026 36Min.In this episode of the Multilingual Montessori Podcast, we have an Olympics recap! Gabrielle is back from volunteering at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and has learned a lot of new vocabulary. And Jenna has an update on the big kindergarten decision and where her child will be going to school next year!This month, we’re answering the questions: Why isn’t television considered high-quality language input? What makes it different than reading a book out loud to kids? And can screens ever be beneficial for language learning?Things we mention in the epidode:- Muzzy commercial on YouTube- "The Parents Aren't All Right" - The Daily- Snack Homiez SNL skit on YouTubeHave a question you'd like us to answer on the podcast? Submit it here!Follow Multilingual Montessori:WebsiteInstagramConsultationsCourses and Workshops
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63. How do you define fluency? 05.03.2026 40Min.In this episode of the Multilingual Montessori Podcast, we're talking about dual language programs in the NYC public school system, how we define fluency when talking about multilingual people, and answering the question: Is it possible to raise a child bilingual when only one parent speaks a second language?Things we mention in the episode:- How the 'Italian Fairy' Spends Her Day Teaching Children to Sing (NY Times)- Globalskolen: Online education for Norwegian children abroad- The Bilingual Brain by Albert Costa- The Bilingual Edge by Kendal King and Alison MackeyHave a question you'd like us to answer on the podcast? Submit it here!Follow Multilingual Montessori:WebsiteInstagramConsultationsCourses and Workshops
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62. Language Acquisition vs. Language Learning 05.02.2026 29Min.In this episode of the Multilingual Montessori Podcast, we're talking about the Winter Olympics (Gabrielle is going to be there as a volunteer!), the recent NY Times Social Q about non-English speaking children, and answering the question: What if your child blatantly says no to learning your language?You can learn more about Gabrielle on Episode 20: How Multilingual Montessori Came to Be.You can learn more about Jenna on Episode 46: Jenna Clark Embrey, Dramaturg at Lincoln Center Theater.Have a question you'd like us to answer on the podcast? Submit it here!Follow Multilingual Montessori:WebsiteInstagramConsultationsCourses and Workshops
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61. What if my child asks me to switch languages? 08.01.2026 25Min.Welcome back to the Multilingual Montessori Podcast! We're returning in 2026 with new episodes and a new co-host, and we'll be here every month to answer your questions about raising and teaching multilingual children from a Montessori perspective.You can learn more about Gabrielle on Episode 20: How Multilingual Montessori Came to Be.You can learn more about Jenna on Episode 46: Jenna Clark Embrey, Dramaturg at Lincoln Center Theater.Have a question you'd like us to answer on the podcast? Submit it here!Follow Multilingual Montessori:WebsiteInstagramConsultationsCourses and Workshops
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60. Co-Teaching in Oaxaca, Mexico 18.12.2024 59Min.In this episode, I interview a former teaching team about their time working in a bilingual Montessori classroom together in Oaxaca, Mexico! Charlotte Peck is a 3-6 Montessori educator and certified Positive Discipline Parent & Early Childhood Educator. Charlotte has over 13 years of experience working in non-profit youth organizations, public and private education, and Dual Language Montessori programs in the U.S. and Mexico. Guadalupe Tinoco, or Lupita, is a 3-6 Montessori educator living in Oaxaca, Mexico. Lupita has worked in Education for almost 20 years and now runs a own Montessori program in Oaxaca called Ambiente Montessori with a dear friend. Charlotte and Lupita met when they were the English and Spanish teachers, respectively, in a bilingual Montessori 3-6 classroom in Oaxaca, Mexico. During our conversation, they shared the structure of their bilingual classroom, what worked and what they needed to adjust as they went along, and what their co-teaching experiences were like. Charlotte also shares what life outside the classroom was like for her as an American living in Mexico, and Lupita shares what it has been like to start her own Montessori program. Follow Charlotte on Instagram: @montessoricharlotte Follow Ambiente Montessori on Instagram: @montessori.ambiente Follow Multilingual Montessori: Website Instagram Consultations Support the Podcast -
59. Bilingualism at 18 months: Everyone is "Nonni" 17.10.2024 44Min.Today’s conversation is the third in a series of check-ins with my good friend and new bilingual mom, Samantha. We previously checked in when Samantha’s daughter was 12 months and 15 months. If you missed our first two conversations, you can go back and hear them (they are episode 50 and episode 56). We recorded this update back in the spring, when Samantha’s daughter was 18 months old, right after her family returned from a trip to Italy to visit her partner’s family. I hope you enjoy this 18-month check in with Samantha! Follow Multilingual Montessori: Website Instagram Consultations Support the Podcast -
58. The Three Trimesters of Language Development 05.09.2024 1Std. 6Min.Mariana Bissonnette (she/her) is an internationally recognized speaker, author, AMI 0-6 trained Montessorian and AMI 3-6 Trainer-in-Training working with parents, teachers, trainees, and school leaders in implementing Montessori on either side of the classroom doors. She is also the founder of The PEACE Program (Parent Education and Child Empowerment) where she supports families, Montessori educators, and Montessori schools. Mariana’s work centers on the depth of the Montessori method in service of the child’s liberation from oppressive systems that constrain their ability to develop as they are trying to. Our conversation today focuses on language development, particularly in the first 18 months of a child’s life. Mariana talks about the three trimesters of language development, which I found endlessly fascinating. She also shares her own experiences learning multiple languages and raising Montessori children with her husband, who is also a Montessori educator. We also talk about her book, Babies Build Toddlers, and how we can best support children in the early years. Follow Mariana: Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Follow Multilingual Montessori: Website Instagram Consultations Support the Podcast -
57. Montessori Toddlers with Nichole Holtvluwer 10.05.2024 1Std. 17Min.Nichole Holtvluwer is a mom and Montessorian with over two decades of experience working with young children. Nichole currently lives and works as a Montessori Toddler Guide at Hala Kahiki Montessori School on the island of Lāna’i, part of the Hawaiian archipelago, with her husband and their 3yo daughter and 7yo dog. You may know Nichole as Radicle Beginnings on Instagram, where she shares lots of information and inspiration about supporting babies and toddlers using Montessori principles. Nichole is a hopeful enthusiast who believes when young children are respected and understood by the adults who surround them, they have the power to change the course of our world. We recorded this conversation back in February, and we covered topics including toddlers, multilingualism, and moving halfway around the world for Montessori. Episode 19: Siri Panday, Director of Education for Toddler and Primary at Marin Montessori School NPR Codeswitch Podcast: Saving a Language You're Learning to Speak Follow Nichole: Website Instagram Follow Multilingual Montessori: Website Instagram Consultations Support the Podcast -
56. Bilingualism at 15 months: Italy with a Baby 20.04.2024 37Min.Today’s episode is the second in a series of check-ins with my good friend and new bilingual mom, Samantha! In our first conversation, I introduced you to Samantha and her one-year-old daughter, who is learning both English and Italian at home. We talked about the joys and challenges Samantha was experiencing with her daughter’s bilingualism, and what her daughter’s language use was like as she turned one year old. So if you didn’t get a chance to listen to that first episode, I encourage you to go back and listen to that one first! That was episode number 50, from November 1st, 2023. Today’s episode is our next check-in, for 15 months old! Since our last check-in, Samantha and her family traveled to Italy to spend time with her in-laws, and her daughter got to experience Italian culture, food, and language in Italy for the first time. I hope you enjoy this 15-month check in with Samantha! Follow Multilingual Montessori: Website Instagram Consultations Support the Podcast -
55. The Montessori Child with Simone Davies and Junnifa Uzodike 07.02.2024 53Min.My guests for this episode are Simone Davies and Junnifa Uzodike, the authors of the upcoming book, The Montessori Child. They are both accomplished Montessorians and authors, and just generally lovely people. We had a great conversation about their work and their upcoming book, and I know you’re going to enjoy it. Simone Davies is the author of “The Montessori Toddler” and co-author of “The Montessori Baby” and “The Montessori Child” books, comprehensive guides to raising children in a Montessori way. Simone is an AMI Montessori educator based in Amsterdam. She also has a popular blog, instagram and podcast “The Montessori Notebook” and is mother to two young adults. Simone currently runs parent-child Montessori classes in Amsterdam at her school Jacaranda Tree Montessori. Junnifa Uzodike is an AMI 0–12 trained teacher, a wife, and mother to four children, all raised with Montessori principles from in-utero. Junnifa is the founder and head of school of Fruitful Orchard Montessori school in Abuja, Nigeria, serving children from 15 months to 12 years old. She is the co-author of The Montessori Baby and The Montessori Child books, and sits on the board of Association Montessori Internationale. Their new book, The Montessori Child, comes out on March 5th, 2024, and is now available for pre-order. And if you pre-order it, you can get access to digital bonuses through the publisher that include a collection of poetry and songs curated by Simone and Junnifa, illustrated clothing labels for drawers, an observation sheet for when difficult situations arise, and more. And if you would like to win a copy of the book, be sure to take my podcast listener survey! As I enter a new year of podcasting, I would love to learn more about you, the listener, and what you'd like to hear from the podcast - even if this is the first time you’re listening! To thank you for taking the podcast listener survey, you'll be entered to win your choice of e-book from guests on the Multilingual Montessori podcast, including The Montessori Child by Simone and Junnifa. Show notes for Episode 55 Podcast Listener Survey -
54. Inside a Dual Language Public Montessori Charter School 10.01.2024 34Min.Alexandra Torres Guerrero is the Interim Principal at Latin American Montessori Bilingual Public Charter School in Washington DC, where students learn in both English and Spanish. Alex was born in Bogotá, Colombia and has lived in the DC area since 2007. She is AMI-trained at the 0-3 and 3-6 levels, and is currently doing her AMI Administrators Certificate training. She has worked at LAMB for the past 12 years and recently became the school’s interim principal. LAMB is a really unique school because it is a public Montessori charter school, and so I was excited to have the chance to chat with Alex about the dual language structure of the school, how they serve the student and parent community, and the joys and challenges that come with joining the Montessori method with the public and charter schools frameworks. Take the Podcast Listener Survey (and be entered to win one of three e-books written by past and future podcast guests!) Show notes for Episode 54 Follow Multilingual Montessori: Website Instagram Consultations Support the Podcast -
53. Indigenous Montessori Education with Trisha Moquino 13.12.2023 47Min.Trisha Moquino is a member of the Cochiti, Kewa, and Ohkay Ohwingeh Tribal Nations. She is the Co-Founder, Education Director and Elementary Keres Speaking Guide at Keres Children's Learning Center, an Indigenous Language Immersion Montessori school in Cochiti Pueblo, NM. Trisha also helps in the continued development of KCLC’s Indigenous Montessori Institute, an anti-racist teacher training grounded in our Philosophy of Indigenous Education. In this conversation, Trisha shares what it’s like to be a part of a heritage language immersion school and why language revitalization efforts are so important for the Cochiti Pueblo community and other Indigenous communities. She also shares why she felt that Montessori was the best pedagogical fit for the language revitalization efforts of the Keres Children’s Learning Center, and why it was important to create a training center for Montessori guides that is grounded in anti-racism and an Indigenous philosophy of education. Show notes for Episode 53 Follow Multilingual Montessori: Website Instagram Consultations Support the Podcast -
52. Literacy Learning with Zil Jaeger 29.11.2023 50Min.Zil Jaeger (they/them) is a Montessori educator, consultant and coach, with a passion for literacy and a commitment to anti-bias, antiracist education. They are Montessori trained at the 3-6 and 6-12 levels, with multiple literacy certifications. They believe that classrooms should be spaces of joy, critical engagement, and community-minded learning. An advocate for literacy learning, Zil is devoted to translating research into effective classroom strategies. They love supporting teachers, caregivers, and schools to empower children in their learning. In this conversation, Zil shares insights into the sciences of reading, and how we can support literacy learning in Montessori environments according to the latest research. They also share their memories of going to Montessori school as a child, and their experience being the parent of a child attending a public Spanish-language immersion elementary school in Portland, Oregon! Zil is offering listeners of the Multilingual Montessori Podcast a 15% discount on their shop with code LITERACY. Show notes for Episode 52 Follow Zil: Website Instagram Follow Multilingual Montessori: Website Instagram Consultations Support the Podcast -
51. Equity in Public Montessori with Jasmine Williams 15.11.2023 53Min.Jasmine Williams is the Race and Equity Specialist at the National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector. Jazz provides race and equity guidance and education, and delivers Montessori theory and practice instruction for the NCMPS Montessori Teacher Residency. Jazz has worked in bilingual Montessori programs for 12 years, including 8 years in a public program, as a classroom teacher, reading interventionist, Montessori coach, and academic director. Jazz has lived in, volunteered in and traveled to 48 countries, most recently returning from four years in China. She is passionate about equitable and joyful Montessori education, and her dream is to bring free, socially justice centered Montessori training and education to marginalized communities throughout the world. Jazz is currently earning a doctorate in Education for Social Justice at the University of San Diego. Show notes for Episode 51 Follow Multilingual Montessori: Website Instagram Consultations Support the Podcast -
50. Bilingualism at 12 months: Meet Samantha 02.11.2023 37Min.Today we’re doing something a little different! This is the first episode of what will become a series of check-ins with my good friend and new bilingual mom, Samantha. In this first conversation, I’ll introduce you to Samantha and her one-year-old daughter, who is learning both English and Italian at home. We’ll talk about the current joys and challenges Samantha is experiencing with her daughter’s bilingualism, and what her daughter’s language use is like right now. Then we’ll check in again in another 3 months to see how things have changed! I’m excited to share Samantha’s journey with you and have the opportunity to follow up with her throughout the next year. Get the Montessori Babies course for $97 (usually $252!): https://babytourguide.teachable.com/p/the-montessori-babies-course-promo?coupon_code=NEWPARENTPROMO&product_id=3768385&affcode=880597_wzftjqeq Follow Multilingual Montessori: Website Instagram Consultations Support the Podcast -
49. Multilingual Homeschooling with Elizabeth M. Castillo 18.10.2023 44Min.Elizabeth M. Castillo is a multilingual poet, writer, teacher, and parent. Her childhood was split between the Congo and England, and she spent her adolescent years on the tiny, tropical island of Mauritius. She now lives in Paris with her family and two cats. Elizabeth homeschools her two daughters, and writes a variety of different things, in a variety of different languages, and under a variety of pen names. She also runs a handful of small businesses, dabbles in charity work and teaches languages part-time. In her writing Elizabeth explores the different countries and cultures she grew up with, as well as themes of race & ethnicity, motherhood, womanhood, language, love, loss and grief, and a touch of magical realism. In this conversation, we talk about language, identity and how that can shift at different points in one’s life. We also talk about Elizabeth’s multilingual homeschooling journey with her daughters, and her work writing multilingual poetry and children’s books, as well as her forthcoming podcast! Follow Elizabeth M. Castillo: Website Instagram Twitter Follow Multilingual Montessori: Website Instagram Consultations Support the Podcast -
48. What if my child switches between languages? 11.10.2023 14Min.Today's Frequently Asked Question is from a listener: What if my child switches between langauges? I'm back with another Frequently Asked Questions episode - a quick, bite-sized episode focusing on one frequently asked question about language acquisition, Montessori language development principles, or multilingualism. I alternate these episodes with the longer-form interviews parents, educators and experts in their fields on topics relating to Montessori and multilingualism that you’re already familiar with. If you have a question about anything related to Montessori and multilingualism that you’d like me to answer on one of these episodes, you can send me a message on Instagram or email me. You can also submit a voice message, and you might hear your voice on a future episode! Show notes: https://multilingualmontessori.org/what-if-my-child-switches-between-languages/ Follow Multilingual Montessori: Website Instagram Consultations Support the Podcast
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