Have you noticed your late immersion students’ language use has slowed or stalled? It may be time to change your teaching strategy.
Try research-supported techniques and strategies, such as those found in the Accelerative Integrated Methodology (AIM). They are based on real-world studies and my personal experience while teaching languages. AIM is designed to make learning languages fun, engaging, and faster.
If you’ve heard of AIM and are considering using AIM kits in your classroom, this article is for you. I’ll outline the core strategies included in every kit and explain why they’re critical to accelerated learning.
Why is AIM unique and so effective?
Using AIM in the classroom is unlike anything else you’ve used. AIM teachers say the combination of strategies in our kits is unique and effective.
Here are 10 strategies you’ll use for your AIM classroom:
1. The Gesture Approach
This is a core strategy in the AIM. It’s based on a gesture for every word and grammar concept. The teacher gestures while speaking and students speak (and sometimes gesture as well!).
Combining physical movement and spoken words helps students take a more active role in their learning. It maximizes the opportunity for language practice and development. This isn’t just our opinion. It’s backed by studies and research proving that gesturing helps facilitate memory retention. Gesture-based learning ensures that students are more likely to remember the information.
2. Pared-down language
Languages are complex, with thousands of words and phrases to learn. That's why AIM teachers focus on high-frequency words. This focus and repetition of key vocabulary help students master it faster and develop greater proficiency and confidence in the language
3. Effective questioning for differentiation
Different teaching strategies may appeal to different students. Using total questions can support weaker students and partial questions provide challenges to stronger students. For example, a partial question would include:
● Who (Qui)
● What (Qu’est-ce que)
● When (Quand)
● Why (Pourquoi)
● Where (Où)
● How many (Combien de)
If that is too difficult for a student, the teacher can rephrase, using the total question, which contains the answer. So, instead of asking “What colour is the pencil?” (De quelle couleur est le crayon ?), you’d ask “Is the pencil red or green?” (Est-ce que le crayon est rouge ou vert ?).
4. An inductive approach to teaching grammar
Many students struggle to learn grammar in a second language. AIM uses an inductive approach to teaching languages. Teachers help students use the language effectively before exploring grammar rules. When introducing grammar in an AIM classroom, it is always contextualized, easier to remember (and fun).
5. Ten-minute teaching segments
Do your students look a little squirrelly after a long lesson? Brain research shows that learning is more effective in short, 10-minute (maximum) segments. During this time, focus on one activity or task of a certain type, such as reading the story, dramatizing, engaging in a modelled activity, gesturing, writing, dancing and singing etc., Rotating through activities of different types in 8-10 minute segments maximizes learning.
6. Cooperative learning
Another strategy used in AIM classrooms is an emphasis on cooperative learning. They engage in conversations, complete activities together, or dramatize in groups.
Cooperative learning solidifies language acquisition by ensuring real-world applications and authentic practice.
7. Scaffolding for success
Our job is to help students build confidence and independence in the language. Scaffolding is one of the reasons why AIM is so successful. Every step along the students’ journey to proficiency, they are provided with activities that are supportive, yet appropriately challenging. Through AIM’s model-based approach, students are able to therefore engage in activities with great success!
8. Pleasant repetition
We also know that the more one uses a skill, the faster one becomes proficient. That’s why AIM ensures repetition to rapidly accelerate language acquisition.
9. Target–language only
In your immersion classroom, the AIM supports a full immersion experience.. Our kits provide strategies that support teachers with this goal from day one.
10. Emotional content
Research shows that including emotional content in whatever one teaches is helpful.
Every aspect of AIM - from the dramatic elements to the gestures themselves is content that is emotionally charged. With the added opportunities for rhythm, rhyme, and choreography, AIM lessons are sure to engage and inspire your students, all the while rapidly accelerating the acquisition of the language.
AIM language learning strategies and techniques are transferable
The above 10 strategies may be applied to other subject areas throughout the day in your late immersion classroom. Try using these core strategies when teaching social studies, science, and math, too. Late immersion students (grade four or higher) enjoy the challenging activities of the Histoires en action ! kits. At this level, AIM emphasizes the development of higher-order thinking skills, creative writing, and the editing process. Students develop an in-depth ability to analyze and heighten their awareness of grammar concepts. AIM has age-appropriate Step 1 resources for all grades, from K-12.
I invite you to learn more about the research behind our award-winning methodology. And, join us for an upcoming info session to learn how to use AIM in your classroom.
