AIM Language Learning Program

     So yesterday I shared my enthusiasm regarding my school’s french teacher possibly using WBT-style strategies while she taught: read all about it here. A friend of mine who is a recent education grad and now a successful teacher let me know that what our teacher was doing was not WBT but most likely the AIM Language Learning Program which is a program that his school also uses. Now I had never heard of the AIM program but I went to their website and was so impressed! I invite you all to check out their website because they provide a lot of information as well as their research to support their model (which I know has a been a sore spot in regards to the WBT website because they do not provide any research unfortunately).

    Since I have no background in french, not to mention teaching french, I admit that I do not know anything about strategies in regards to teaching additional languages. I was, however, drawn to some of the similarities between the AIM program and WBT strategies. This is what stuck out for me:
– Both programs address different learning styles by presenting information visually, verbally, and kinesthetically.
– They both use gestures!! (AIM uses even more gestures than WBT)
– Both programs want students to have an emotionally investment/attachment to their learning experience. They want their students to have fun (all teachers, want this) but emotion can also influence our memory.
– They both encourage whole-class participation that have strategies that involve students repeating after the teacher or speaking in unison with the teacher while they mirror parts or all of the teacher’s gestures.
– Both programs encourage activities to be “chunked” into shorter periods of time (AIM suggests 10minutes, WBT suggests as little as 45secs-2minutes)

Here are some videos from the AIM Language Learning Program that help explain their program and show it in action. You can also check out their YouTube Channel.