Action-oriented Approach (AoA)
AoA and AALE
The action-oriented approach (AoA), outlined in the CEFR (2001), was developed through from the bottom up through classroom practice. Recently theorized by Piccardo & North (2019) and foregrounded in the CEFR (2020).
The AoA develops students’ language proficiency through meaningful collaborative action and strengthens their plurilingual and pluricultural competence. It emphasizes learners’ agency and lived experiences by viewing learners as social agents engaged in real-life oriented scenarios. To support this, AALE provides:
- Professional development resources
- Sample action-oriented scenarios
- Classroom guidance materials
AALE Infosheets
These infosheets designed by the AALE team help you learn more about the AoA. Available in three different lengths (“bite-sized”, “deeper dive”, and “extended exploration”), the infosheets include:
- Clear, targeted explanations and reflection questions
- Multimedia content
- Additional links to resources in and out of this toolkit
External Resources
These external resources have been curated based on the suggestions and experience of teachers and academics across Canada, and they include more detailed information on AoA concepts, tools to create activities, and adaptable materials.
