Three-Day Internship

Ambleside’s Three-Day Internship consists of seminars exploring the fundamentals of Charlotte Mason’s philosophy and the observation/discussion of its application in the Ambleside classroom. Attending participants receive a life-changing introduction to an Ambleside Education.

Since 2000, Ambleside’s Three-Day Internship has provided an opportunity for hundreds of principals, teachers and parents from across the United States, as well as from Africa, Asia, South America, and Europe, to gain a practical understanding of the philosophical principles and pedagogy of British educator Charlotte M. Mason (1842-1923). Core commitments of such a pedagogy include:

• Engaging children as persons to be known and loved, rather than as machines to be manipulated.
• Maintaining an atmosphere which is natural and relational (not artificial).
• Being intentional in the formation of habits and patterns of relating to God, self, others, creation, work and ideas.
• Providing a rich diet of inspirational ideas, not mere information.

Led by Ambleside staff, participants spend 11 hours in seminar style readings and discussions of Charlotte Mason’s writings, thereby gaining a fundamental understanding of her method and philosophy of education that they then can apply in teaching at school, home, Sunday School and parenting. Specific topics covered include:

• The ramifications of understanding children as persons, rather than as products.
• The liberties which must be given to children; most importantly, the freedom which empowers a child to do that which he or she ought.
• The practice of narration in its various forms as a primary method for the assimilation of knowledge.
• The cultivation of an optimal atmosphere in the school’s physical and relational environments.
• The practice of establishing moral and intellectual habits through the use of inspirational ideas and natural consequences.
• The inspirational power of a curriculum rich in living ideas.

Interns also spend six hours observing Ambleside teachers in their classrooms across a variety of disciplines at varied grade levels. These observations bring to life the seminars and discussions, allowing interns to experience the reality of an applied philosophy of education. Interns and Ambleside staff reconvene to discuss the classroom observations and ponder any other questions.

*Limited seats available.

To reserve your space please click on the links below or to request additional information, please email us at admin@amblesideschools.org.za.