Dr Werona Król-Gierat’s research visit following in the footsteps of Montessori

At the turn of March and April 2026, Dr Werona Król-Gierat undertook a research visit to Rome, where Maria Montessori opened the first Children’s House (Casa dei Bambini) in 1907. During her stay, Dr Król-Gierat had the opportunity to visit the site. In addition, library research allowed the scholar to access a series of Montessori’s original works in Italian, as well as classic interpretive studies and critical analyses.

Elements of Montessori pedagogy are still popular today also in teaching foreign languages to children and in building a positive self-concept among young learners, which is a focus of Dr Król-Gierat’s research.

As part of her visit, Dr Król-Gierat also visited the Pontificia Università della Santa Croce, where she participated in a workshop titled “Beyond the Brain: Neuroscience – Brain Science of Dialogue” conducted by Dr Hope Kean from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA. Based on neurobiological research on aphasia, the workshop helped participants discover how the brain’s neural structure enables dialogue.

Importantly, from Dr Król-Gierat’s research perspective, children learn effectively through direct experience and interaction, which is why dialogue can serve as a natural and effective teaching tool. The art of dialogue is also crucial in building a student’s positive self-concept. The experience of being listened to and accepted boosts one’s self-esteem, intrinsic motivation, and the willingness to take on language challenges. Dialogue also fosters autonomy, class integration, and a supportive environment conducive to effective learning.