Did you know that storytelling is a powerful learning tool? It’s one of the most important aspects of the Accelerative Integrated Methodology (AIM). This content and language integrated learning (CLIL) focus rapidly develops early language skills.
The language is taught through a linguistically rich subject matter. Storytelling supports higher levels of communicative competence than can be attained by other language learning programs that are theme-based.
AIM helps learners to develop early language skills in a contextualized form, through exposure to story, theatre, drama, and music.
Expanding language and cultural knowledge
AIM’s content-based, literacy- and arts-centred approach helps students learn much more than the language of instruction alone. Through an integrated study of literature, music, drama and dance, and performance, students experience the benefits of storytelling.
As students delve into the lives of characters from a variety of situations and cultural backgrounds, they learn so much more than other language learning programs. AIM supports the study of traditional stories from around the world, encompassing a far greater scope than the traditional thematic approach. Students learn about themselves as well as the world around them.
In addition to learning a language, students have the opportunity to expand their knowledge of character and plot development, oral storytelling, theatre, and improvisational drama.
The Benefits of Storytelling
I believe there is no greater vehicle than story, theatre, drama, and music to develop literacy and thinking skills.
“Children new to [a language] finds in a story context for understanding. It is not word lists that command their attention, but the lives of characters that fill the tales they read or listen to,...in the literary stories they meet. How painful it must be for those children alien to [a language] to sit day after day without feeling connected to what is happening in the classroom. And yet, through storying, how quickly they enter the activity, making sense of what is happening, building their own versions, listening, telling, retelling; talking about, reflecting upon – responding.”
- David Booth and Bob Barton (1990)(p.38)
We see the benefits of storytelling in AIM classrooms every day. Here are a few reasons why AIM’s literacy and arts-based CLIL approach accelerates comprehension and speaking skills
during the initial stages of second language acquisition:
- AIM is a literacy-based approach
The student experiences the second language as narrative/dialogue within a language-rich environment.
- Each unit of study lasts for extended period of time
This allows for in-depth study, ensuring that students maximise their exposure to the language in different contexts, thus ensuring comprehension and the development of authentic proficiency.
- The language is contextualized
AIM ensures the repetition of the same words through a variety of different contexts (story, songs, rap, and language manipulation activities). This is essential for the development of word concepts.
- AIM promotes small group and co-operative learning
With a focus on peer support and constant interaction, this methodology effectively promotes motivation, self-esteem, and a positive attitude toward the new language.
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Student responsibility
AIM students take responsibility for their own learning and evaluation of their efforts and progress. They are invited to engage in self-reflection and self-evaluation as part of the language learning process, as they would in any effective language learning program.
- Story and drama are highly motivational
AIM’s dramatical components as well as the stories themselves captivate and engage students, instilling a love of learning.
- AIM is a fully integrated approach
Music, story, theatre, drama, and a kinesthetic approach work together. Each component, although powerful on its own, is far more accelerative when used together.
- AIM supports a variety of learning styles and intelligences
Through its multimodal approach, AIM supports students with different learning styles - including, auditory, visual, kinesthetic, linguistic, musical, interpersonal, and intrapersonal.
- Relevant issues are addressed
A benefit of storytelling is that it supports the study of cultures from around the world.
- Learning flow
The methodology allows for a flow between individual, small group, and whole class activities. AIM focuses on three dimensions of learning, including transmission, transaction, and transformation.
- Scaffolded language manipulation activities
A theatre- and literacy-centred approach naturally leads to a variety of scaffolded activities. This allows students to learn to manipulate the language so that they develop very early language skills.
- Internalising through emotion
Emotion is key to the effective internalisation of language and occurs best through story, drama and music.
- Pleasant repetition
AIM naturally provides many opportunities for essential pleasant repetition.
Pleasant Repetition of high-frequency vocabulary in different contexts through stories and related activities is key to language acquisition within a limited time frame.
- Parent participation
Parental involvement is an indicator of student success. AIM’s parent feedback opportunities allow students and parents to have a voice throughout the learning process.
- Opportunities for sustained speech
The focus on storytelling allows for many opportunities for sustained speech. This is essential to the development of early language skills, superior language development and expression in complete thoughts.
- Higher-order thinking skills
Language manipulation activities based on story and drama develop higher-order thinking skills such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.
When using a teaching methodology like AIM, you will come to realize how it will transform your language classroom. AIM students are highly engaged and develop outstanding comprehension, speaking, writing skills through the many literacy activities within the AIM kits.
If you’re unsure and want to give AIM a try, consider downloading the free trial lessons today in French or Spanish. We want you and your students to experience the joy and success that so many have found with our methodology!
