On Friday, December 5, The Montessori Academy Edison Lakes welcomed Dr. Yeonhee Yoon, Professor of the Practice / Teaching Professor of Korean Language and Culture, and Korean Language Program Coordinator, Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures at the University of Notre Dame for a rich and engaging presentation to our 6th year Upper Elementary students. Her visit brought Korea’s history, culture, and writing system to life and beautifully supported our Montessori curriculum.
In Upper Elementary, students dive deep into cultural studies, world civilizations, and the evolution of human communication. One of the Great Lessons, the Story of Writing, invites students to explore how different cultures have created systems to meet the universal human need to communicate. Professor Yoon’s introduction to Hangul, the Korean alphabet, offered a meaningful extension of this work. Students compared the structure of Hangul to the alphabets they have studied, discovering how its logical design reflects Korea’s unique history and identity.
Her presentation also enriched our cultural geography curriculum. By learning about Korea’s landscapes, traditions, and everyday life, students strengthened their understanding of global interconnectedness and the many ways humans meet their fundamental needs. These experiences are essential to cosmic education, which helps children see themselves as part of a diverse and collaborative world.
Beyond academics, the visit nurtured something deeply Montessori, curiosity, empathy, and global citizenship. Meeting a scholar from our local university allowed students to engage with authentic expertise and to appreciate the beauty and complexity of a culture different from their own.
We are grateful to Professor Yoon for inspiring our learners and expanding their view of the world. This is the kind of experience that makes a Montessori education so powerful, connecting knowledge, culture, and community in ways that spark lifelong interest and understanding.