The Principles of the Montessori Pedagogy in Teaching EnglishRednak, Rebeka (Avtor) Skela, Janez (Mentor) Montessori pedagogychild-centered educationlearner autonomyprepared environmentmotivationEnglish-language teachingEducation plays a crucial role in the development of children, and in recent decades, alternative approaches to teaching have emerged alongside traditional public-school systems. One of the most established and widespread among them is the Montessori method, developed by Dr. Maria Montessori. This pedagogical approach emphasizes the holistic development of the child, fostering independence, responsibility, and a natural love of learning. At its core, the Montessori philosophy promotes self-directed activity, hands-on learning, and collaborative play in a carefully prepared environment that meets the developmental needs of the child. This Master’s thesis focuses on the key characteristics and pedagogical principles of the Montessori method, with particular attention to the role of the teacher, the autonomy of the learner, and the function of specially designed Montessori materials in the learning process. The theoretical part outlines the foundations of Montessori education, including the importance of the prepared environment, the developmental stages of the child, and the emphasis on intrinsic motivation and freedom within limits. The empirical part examines how these theoretical foundations are applied in everyday educational practice. The research primarily explores the roles of the teacher and the learner in a Montessori classroom, particularly in the context of English language instruction. It examines the teaching methods employed by educators, the degree of student independence, and learner engagement—that is, how independently and confidently students work, and how motivated they are to engage with tasks and use the English language in meaningful ways. The findings confirm key theoretical concepts: teachers function more as guides or facilitators than as traditional instructors, and students demonstrate a high degree of autonomy, motivation, and engagement when working with Montessori materials in their daily learning environment.20252025-09-13 07:15:13Magistrsko delo/naloga173085VisID: 591370sl