| Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) |
|
The Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) was established in 1929 by Dr. Maria Montessori to continue her multi-layered work and protect its integrity. Today, AMI as a leading world body carries forward the scientific and philosophical tenor of Dr. Montessori's work. One of the main objectives of theorganisation is the propagation of knowledge and understanding of the conditions necessary for the full development of the human being from conception to maturity both at home and in society. Headquartered in Amsterdam, AMI directs the work of AMI Montessori Training Courses all over the world offering pedagogical guidance and support. There are AMI courses to train adults to assist children at three levels. The Assistants to Infancy Course is for birth to three years, thePrimary Diploma Course is for 3 to 6 years and the Elementary Diploma Course is for 6 to 12 years.
|
| AMI Training in Chennai |
|
| The first International Montessori course in Chennai was held in the Theosophical Society, Adyar in 1939. Dr. Montessori and her son Mario arrived in Chennai in 1939 at the invitation of Dr. George Sidney Arundale and his wife Rukmini Devi. Interned in Kodaikanal during the war years the Montessoris pursued their work on the subcontinent for about ten years. Montessori work remained alive in India in small pockets after the Montessoris returned to Europe. |
|
| Navadisha
Montessori Institute |
 Navadisha Montessori Institute was established in 2004 to meet the growing need for Montessori training in Chennai. The mission of the Institute is to offer training of a high standard, helping graduates integrate theory and practice. The Institute further seeks to establish a strong bond with the alumni and the Montessori schools in the vicinity to ensure team work and awareness and overall growth in the community. The Institute is affiliated with AMI and the AMI diploma, which has come to stand for excellence across the globe, is awarded to students after a successful written and oral examination.
Location
The Navadisha Montessori Institute is situated in the fast- developing area of Velachery. Located on an acre of land in a primarily residential area, the building houses a school as well.
Transport
Vijayanagar bus stand, a well known landmark in Velachery is about 1 km from the institute. It is well connected by city buses. Taxis and auto rickshaws are available on call from the Institute.
Accommodation
The Navadisha Montessori Institute does not provide hostel facilities. However we can guide students to find accommodation if required. We try to keep available a current list of contacts in the Student Information folder. Please note that the following figures are approximations and are only guidelines for students to budget board and lodging for the duration of the course.
|
| |
Indian Nationals
Rupees |
Foreign Nationals
US Dollars |
| Hostel |
60,000 |
1,500 |
| Apartment |
100,000 |
2,500 |
| Food |
40,000 |
1,000 |
|
 |
|
|
| |
|
| AMI Primary Diploma Course (3-6 Age Level) |
Top |
Admission
Procedure
We look for applicants who will be committed to the cause of the welfare of children of the world. The Admissions Review Committee will process all applications. The decision of the Committee will be final.
Eligibility
Applicants fulfilling the following requirements will be considered eligible for admission into the course. The applicant should have:
| • |
Completed 20 years of age by July 15 (year of application) |
| • |
A Bachelors degree |
| • |
A sound knowledge of English |
The Montessori community has welcomed diploma holders from all walks of life and many different professions. Occasionally we consider applicants who do not have a Bachelors degree based on their life experience and age if they are able to demonstrate their ability to do the course work.
Application
To be considered for admission please submit the following:
| • |
Application Form duly filled in and signed by the applicant |
| • |
A detailed Resume including all relevant details of your personal and academic background |
| • |
Two recent passport size photos |
| • |
Attested OR Certified Copies of all educational documents to bear out your resume |
| • |
Registration Fee |
| • |
Handwritten essay (about 500 words) on The Qualities of an Adult working with Children |
Interview
 Based on the application, there will be an interview with a member of faculty. Selected applicants will receive a letter of admission from Navadisha Montessori Institute. For students who are not able to attend an interview in Chennai we can arrange a time when the applicant can call us for a telephone interview.
Fee Structure
The fee structure will be as follows.
| Fees |
Indian Nationals
Rupees |
Foreign Nationals
US Dollars |
Due |
| Registration |
250 |
50 |
With Application |
| Tuition Fee |
30, 000 |
2, 200 |
Before course commences |
| Examination |
3, 500 |
250 |
|
Indian Nationals may pay the fees by means of a crossed local cheque or Demand Draft in favour of Navadisha Montessori Institute payable in Chennai.
Foreign Nationals may pay the fees by Bank Draft in favour of Navadisha Montessori Institute payable in Chennai. We regret we do not accept payments by Direct Bank Transfer.
If a registered student withdraws on or before May 31st prior to the commencement of the course only 50% of the Fees will be refunded. After this date fees will not be refunded for any reason.
|
| |
Top |
Course Schedule
 The full time course will run 5 days a week. An annual course schedule detailing lectures, supervised practical, observation, teaching practice and holidays will be provided to the students at the start of the course. The course will commence mid August and end mid April.
Faculty
Rukmini Ramachandran who founded Navadisha Montessori Institute has been working in the field of Montessori education with children and schools for over a decade. She heads the institute as the Director of Training.
Ruby Lau, an AMI Trainer, based in the UK is closely associated with the Institute and takes training responsibility whenever she is in Chennai.
Timing
The course is full time and will run 5 days a week from 8:45 AM to 3:15 PM Monday to Friday. Students maybe required to attend class on some scheduled Saturdays. A detailed Annual Course Schedule will be made available to the students on the first day of the course. There will be an hour break for lunch. Students will be asked to be extremely punctual. Latecomers will be marked absent for half the session.
Attendance
Students must have 90% attendance for each aspect of the course including time taken off due to illness. Attendance records will be meticulously maintained through out the year. In case of absence, students should notify the Director of Training in writing, at least one day in advance. In case of illness the student should inform the Institute by phone immediately.
Course Components
The AMI Diploma course is an intensive programme designed to help students closely study the theory and practice of the Montessori approach of education. Students will need to do four to six hours of organised work at home every day in order to complete all assignments. The course of study over the year will help prepare students for working with children from 3 to 6 years of age. The course has several components.
| |
 Theory Lectures
The theory lectures will offer the students the opportunity to examine the development of the whole child, and the successive phases of child development. Special consideration is given to the formative psychic powers of the child that leads to all- round development. The carefully prepared environment and materials and the role and attitude of the adult will also be studied.
Demonstration Lectures
The practical demonstration lectures deal with the function and presentation of the materials offered to children from 3 to 6 years of age in a Montessori environment. The aims of the materials, the technique of presenting them to the child and the age at which they must be offered will be discussed in these sessions.
Supervised Practical
During scheduled hours students will have an opportunity to practice with the material in a Montessori environment. At these times students will be supervised and guided in the use of the material and encouraged to develop and practice the techniques by which they will present the various materials to children. They will also be asked to take responsibility for the environment just as they would when they are with children.
School Observation and Teaching Practice
Student will be assigned to go to various Montessori environments in the city for 8 weeks for observation and teaching practice. During this time they will be shown how to keep a record of observation and they will get an opportunity to work directly with children under the supervision of an AMI trained adult. Students are asked to budget for their commute to the various city schools.
Assignments and Reference Folders
Students will be asked to submit written work at regular intervals during the course. This will include theory essays, material making assignments and observation reports. They will also prepare four Reference Folders in the different areas - Practical Life, Sensorial, Language and Mathematics. |
|
|
Examinations
The students' eligibility for appearing for the Examination will depend on the following:
| • |
90% attendance |
| • |
Punctual completion and submission of all assignments called for in the course of the year |
| • |
Full payment of the fees |
| • |
Completion of required hours of School Teaching Practice |
| • |
Completion of required hours of School Observations |
| • |
Completion of required hours of Supervised Practical |
 There will be two written examinations each three hours. Paper A will be on psychology and theory. Paper B will be on the practical aspect with the underpinning principles. There will also be an oral examination in which students will be asked to present the use of the material and explain the underlying theory.
An external examiner will be appointed by AMI to conduct the examinations. The diploma is awarded by the Association Montessori Internationale after a successful written and oral examination and completion of all requirements for certification. The AMI Diploma qualifies the holder to work with children in a Montessori environment between 3 and 6 years of age. The decision of the board of examiners will be final and binding. No appeals will be entertained after results are released.
Registered students who for valid reasons fail to appear for the examinations on the scheduled dates at the appointed time may be given the opportunity to appear at the examinations held the following year thereafter. They will have to apply for this opportunity in writing with a full and acceptable explanation. In case of medical grounds,  a registered practitioner must attest the medical certificate. They will be charged the ExaminationFee for the re-examination. Students appearing for re-examination in any of the four parts can do so the following year. They will be required to attend additional classes for which they will be charged a fee. They will also be charged the Examination Fee for the re-examination. Students who fail in the examination or re-examination will have to undergo another full course of training for which they will be charged the full Course fees including Examination Fee.
|
| |
Top |
Books
To prepare for the Diploma course and for working in a Montessori environment it will be good practice to read around the subject. The following list of books is provided to help you begin this process. Some of these titles will be made available in the student library. Some will also be on sale in the office. |
Required Reading |
| • |
Montessori, Maria Education and Peace Kalakshetra Publications, India 1972 |
| • |
Montessori, Maria Education for New World Kalakshetra Publications, India 1974 |
| • |
Montessori, Maria From Childhood to Adolescence Kalakshetra Publications, India 1973 |
| • |
Montessori, Maria The Absorbent Mind Kalakshetra Publications, India 1997 |
| • |
Montessori, Maria The Child in the Family Kalakshetra Publications, India 1991 |
| • |
Montessori, Maria The Discovery of the Child Kalakshetra Publications, India 1966 |
| • |
Montessori, Maria The Formation of Man Kalakshetra Publications, India 1975 |
| • |
Montessori, Maria The Secret of Childhood Sangam Books Ltd., London 1983 |
|
Recommended Reading |
| • |
Montanaro, Silvana Understanding the Human Being: The Importance of the first three years of life Nienhuis Montessori USA 1991 |
| • |
Montessori, Maria Child Education Kalakshetra Publications, India 1936 |
| • |
Montessori, Maria Creative Development in the Child, Vols. 1 & 2 Kalakshetra Publications, India 1999 |
| • |
Montessori, Maria The Child, Society and the World: Unpublished Speeches and Writings (Juler, Caroline and Yesson, Heather trans.) ABC-Clio Ltd., UK 1989 |
| • |
Montessori, Maria To Educate the Human Potential Kalakshetra Publications, India 1948 |
| • |
Montessori, Maria What should you know about your child Kalakshetra Publications, India 1984 |
| • |
Montessori, Mario Jr., Education for Human Development: Understanding Montessori ABC-Clio Ltd., UK 1997. |
|
| |
|
 Application form |
|
1. PDF
format
2. Word
format
|
|
|
|
