Recognition and Awards

AIM was developed out of a need to ‘teach the way students learn’.

In 1984 Wendy Maxwell started her career as a French teacher – inspired to share her passion for language with her students. But after several years Wendy became frustrated to see, that by using the conventional method of language instruction, her students were not becoming proficient in the target language. And that’s when it hit her:

If students weren’t learning the way they were being taught, she had to teach the way they learned...

Wendy created a list of the students’ most frequently used words and expressions. She used this ‘pared-down language’ to develop plays, songs and stories that the students participated in, and worked on, collaboratively. This resulted in higher student engagement, reduced anxiety, as well as a more sophisticated level of response – right from day-one.

Next, simple gestures were attached to each word in the pared-down-language. Her teaching was now multi-sensory.  Students were simultaneously listening, seeing, reading, writing, speaking and ‘doing’ the target language. This was the beginning of the Accelerative Integrated Method!

AIM brings true transformation to the experience of teaching and learning languages.  Authentic learning is achieved through scaffolding techniques developed to systematically build on student’s progress. Being a part of a ‘learning community’ which emphasizes collaboration makes students feel comfortable to express themselves in the target language from the first lesson. They learn vocabulary through visual, auditory and kinesthetic tools.  They participate in all activities in the target language based on literature and drama and they learn to think and write creatively, while practicing oral communication.

In 2004, AIM Language Learning officially launched. In the 20 years since, AIM has had many achievements, and has been transforming classrooms all over the world!

Recognition and Awards

Wendy Maxwell's Recognition and Awards:

Wendy Maxwell FWTAO Writers Award 1986;
Bishop Strachan Teaching Excellence Award 1999;
Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Teaching 1999;
H.H. Stern Award for Innovation in Second Languages 2004

AIM Language Learning Awards:

North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award: Innovation 2015;
BC Export Awards Finalist: Professional Services Category 2015

Other Recognition/Awards:

Research on AIM  in the Netherlands was voted the best research of the year in 2022 in the Journal of the European Second Language Association (JESLA) Magazine AIM high school classes were rated best in the country in 2023 (Netherlands)

Meet the team

Wendy Maxwell

AIM Creator

Jen McKinney

Australia Representative

Edite Sammons

Chief Curriculum Consultant B.A., B.ED.

Kathy Poitras

Customer Service

Sandra Dominelli

Creative/Shipping

Jessie Fang

Accounting

AIM Certified Teachers

This is the highest level of training that we offer.  You will have the skills and knowledge necessary to take your students to an even higher level of proficiency. Many of the teachers below have been, or are currently AIM facilitators.