AFL Teaching Philosophy and Performance

Teaching Philosophy

Our language classes are communicative in nature. We believe that the goal of language learning is to be able to effectively communicate in the second language. Getting acquainted with grammatical rules and vocabulary does not guarantee that the student will be able to communicate successfully in the target language. Therefore, in our classes, we do not present grammatical paradigms or vocabulary as isolated elements, but we present them in the context in which they are used.

Second language learners can grasp concepts easily when they can associate it to meaning. By having our students engage in tasks that create the communicative context necessary to use a linguistic form or vocabulary items, we help our students focus on form and meaning simultaneously. This approach gives the students more opportunities to be successful when using the language in real life situations.

Performance

Since achievement of level C in oral interaction test is unanimously considered the most important challenge facing adult learners, we will briefly prepare our students with respect to such tests. When analyzing our results since 2003, we observe an important improvement in performance. As can be seen from graphs 1 and 2, success rate achieved in 2006 was as high as 96 %, while 2007 seems to take an even higher direction.

Graph 1

Graph 2

As to the performance per level, Graph 3 shows that more than 60% of students achieved level C in 2006, coupled with more exemption and less failure.

Graph 3

How do we achieve such a performance?

Because of successful implementation of various teaching methods such as the Simultaneous Multi-sensory Teaching (SMT), Learning Through Movement (LTM) and Forum Opinion and Debate (FOD), AFL has achieved a benchmark of excellence in the field of language training.

Our pedagogic approach is a result of an exhaustive observation and analysis of a significant number of training experiences, including important learning difficulties on the part of a growing number of adult learners from the public service. That is why for over 5 years in addition to official Canada School of Public Service (CSPS) approved training methods, including other CSPS programs; AFL applies a number of in-house designed adult training techniques to facilitate accurate and efficient acquisition of the target language. The AFL has been continuously engaged in educational research and has established itself as a leader in brain-based foreign language learning. All programs incorporate the latest training tools and techniques in the field of adult education. AFL continues to be engaged in research initiatives in order to incorporate proven learning tools and techniques into our customized programs.

AFL teachers continuously seeks to increase their knowledge of the latest adult learning theories and to consistently refine their teaching skills in order to maximize learning efficiency. AFL continues to provide students with the best learning experience possible. Therefore, research in the field of adult education will remain a priority.

At AFL we put a strong emphasis on client satisfaction. It is our practice to survey client evaluation of our services on continuous basis in order to measure and monitor our performance.  

We are passionate about learning and realize that clients want to acquire their skills accurately and efficiently. Therefore, we use the most effective adult learning tools and techniques to promote second language acquisition.