by Lisa Venne, AIM teacher Niagara, Ontario When I first arrived at the school, it was easy to tell that students were not used to speaking in French. To shake things up and let them know that French class would look and sound very different than what they were used to, I traded student desks for…
The AIM Student publishing Contest ….A teacher’s story By: Erin Hyatt AIM FSL Teacher, B.C. Our spring (2021) of online/ distance/ pandemic craziness was starting to draw to a close. I found myself really enjoying the story retelling assignments that my students were completing for their final AIM project of the year. “Wow, some of…
By: Jenny Purath AIM Certified Teacher of Elementary Spanish in North Carolina 1. What do you like the most about AIM? I love that students who have been taught using the AIM methodology develop the ability to produce language spontaneously in everyday conversations in the classroom, both with their teacher and with peers. After…
By Wim Gombert University of Groningen Gomarus College Groningen We know from scientific research (e.g. cognitive psychology) that the AIM is a very effective methodology: spaced and pleasant repetition, multi-modal learning, high motivation, high exposure, low affective filter, etc. These are only some of the characteristics that make AIM effective. But, we do not only…
Portfolio presentations Assessment as learning is an experience that is an essential part of every language classroom. For years, AIM teachers have ensured that students reflect on their learning – what they know well and what they would like to know better. Assessment as learning opportunities should take place at appropriate times throughout every…
We are so excited to be able to offer our readers in digital format! The following are some tips as to how to use them: In Class: 1. Dedicate 10 minutes for a shared reading activity. Pick a theme that relates to your current play or cultural component – or any theme…
By Stephen Lai I would like thank Wendy for the opportunity to share how I use AIM readers in my FSL classroom. AIM readers are written for specific age groups and language abilities. I am going to describe how I work with the reader that I wrote for AIM recently. I work in a…
Robert Slabodnik is a National Board Certified French Teacher of grades 9-12 at Sedro-Woolley High School, WA. He is also an AIM Facilitator for teacher workshops in the western U.S. and Canada. He welcomes all interested teachers to come observe his students in the classroom learning with the AIM. I first started using the AIM…
Holidays and Celebrations in an AIM Classroom! By: Wendy Maxwell The deep learning that students experience when working in-depth with the central theme of the Kit – the play and extended activities – has many benefits. It is the context that ‘anchors’ the program and provides students with structure and predictability and the necessary pleasant…
My First Few Weeks as a Novice AIM Teacher By: Holli Wilkes I have been teaching Spanish in an International Baccalaureate school in South Carolina for thirteen years. As is probably true with most elementary foreign language teachers, I began my language teaching career consumed with creating my own curriculum since at the time there…