John Amos Comenius (also known as Jan Amos Komensky) was born in March, 1592, in Moravia. During his difficult life he developed a philosophy, pansophism, which stressed political unity, religious reconciliation, and educational cooperation. Pansophism related education to everyday life and advocated systemizing all knowledge, teaching in the common language of students rather than in Latin, and establishing a universal system of education with opportunities that included women and peoples of all nations.

Amos’ major work The Great Didactic was written from 1628 to 1632. Other works include the Gates of Language Unlocked, The Visible World, considered to be the first ever children’s picture book (Online). Both the Gates of Language Unlocked, The Visible World, became bestsellers and were translated into every major European language, and were used by beginning learners for over 100 years.

The Great Didactic is thought to be Comenius’ most important work. This book explored how people learn and how they should be taught from infancy through the university and beyond. Contrary to the popular belief of the time, Comenius believed that human beings were born with a natural craving for knowledge and goodness, and that schools beat it out of them. Comenius addressed topics such as (modernized for clarity):

• Education for everyone
  
• Students’ natural tendency to learn
  
• Learning by easy stages
  
• Cliff’s notes
  
• Financial aid
  
• Career preparation
  
• Extracurricular activities
  
• Lifelong learning. (online)
  
  

Comenius’ philosophies are still held strong today, and serve as the inspiration of the Comenius Group.

Books Written

The Great Didactic

Gates of Language Unlocked,

The Visible World