UPPER SCHOOL
Curriculum Guide
Course Registration
AP APPLICATION INFORMATION AND PROCESS FOR THE WORLD LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT
WORLD LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT AP COURSE APPLICATION POLICY
GENERAL INFORMATIONAP Language courses are rigorous, college-level courses demanding significant reading, writing, and oral proficiency. To be considered for recommendation for an AP course, students must:
- Demonstrate strong academic performance: Maintain a cumulative A- in Mandarin 5, French 4/5, Spanish 4/5, Special Topics, or AP Spanish Language (for AP Spanish Literature).
- Exhibit strong language skills: Demonstrate exceptional reading, writing, and listening skills through consistent in-class performance on assignments comparable to AP-level exercises.
- Possess essential learning skills: Be independent and organized, and possess a strong work ethic. Demonstrate critical thinking, active class participation, and effective collaboration.
- Demonstrate cultural understanding: Be proficient in listening comprehension, engage in college-level discussions, and effectively read and write in the target language.
Students applying for AP courses with teachers other than their current instructor must also complete a brief oral interview in the target language with the AP teacher.
REQUIREMENTS AND CONSIDERATIONS
Informational Meeting: All students interested in AP World Language courses must attend an informational meeting on February 20 at 9:30 a.m. Oral interviews may be scheduled during this meeting or at a mutually convenient time for the student and AP teacher.Multiple AP Courses: Students interested in pursuing multiple AP World Language courses should consult with the World Language Department Chair.
WORLD LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT AVAILABLE AP COURSES
AP CHINESE LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
COURSE DESCRIPTIONAP Chinese Language and Culture is a course designed to offer students opportunities to further develop proficiency in the four language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) through the three communicative modes: interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational, and the five goal areas: communication, cultures, connections, comparisons, and communities, as outlined in the Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century. Students will work to achieve at the intermediate level, as articulated in the ACTFL Performance Guidelines for K-12 Learners. Students will be fully immersed in the richness of the Chinese language and culture. They will go into more depth in their study of the Chinese language and various aspects of contemporary and historical Chinese culture. The content and topics include (but are not limited to) family and daily life, education, customs and holidays, economics and careers, China today, geography and population, travel and climate, famous people, and current events. Cultural activities will be introduced throughout the course, including learning calligraphy, paper cutting, and food preparation. They will also be introduced to classical music, poetry, art, and literature. In addition to the textbooks, other authentic instructional materials, such as articles from Chinese newspapers, magazines, and websites, short stories, poetry, literature, public signs, TV news, advertisements, posters, video clips, movies, etc., will be used throughout the course. Students demonstrate their mastery of the language and culture by preparing various activities and assignments. The instructor uses Chinese almost exclusively in class. Students are expected to work solely in Chinese, including out-of-class communications. Students are required to take the AP Chinese Language and Culture exam in May.
Available to students in grade(s): 11/12
Prerequisite(s): Departmental recommendation
Course length: Full-year
AP French Language and Culture focuses on supporting students' progress in the language at an advanced level, enlarging their cultural sensitivity and competence as citizens of the 21st century, and helping them prepare for the AP French Language and Culture exam. In this class, students gain more confidence in their interpretive, interpersonal, presentational, intercultural, and analytical competencies by undertaking close readings of print and audio texts, cultural comparisons, analysis and debate of current issues about the Francophone world, and articulating personal perspectives on these issues. This course is taught exclusively in French and includes four major units of study that touch on France and the Francophone world. These have included cinema, the education system, art, Francophonie in the Americas, World War II and collaboration, the 1960s in France and the Francophone world, and others. Students are also exposed to authentic materials, grammatical explanations, and various activities that will help familiarize them with the exam. All students enrolled in an AP course must take the AP exam in May.
Available to students in grade(s): 11/12
Prerequisite(s): Departmental approval
AP FRENCH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
COURSE DESCRIPTIONAP French Language and Culture focuses on supporting students' progress in the language at an advanced level, enlarging their cultural sensitivity and competence as citizens of the 21st century, and helping them prepare for the AP French Language and Culture exam. In this class, students gain more confidence in their interpretive, interpersonal, presentational, intercultural, and analytical competencies by undertaking close readings of print and audio texts, cultural comparisons, analysis and debate of current issues about the Francophone world, and articulating personal perspectives on these issues. This course is taught exclusively in French and includes four major units of study that touch on France and the Francophone world. These have included cinema, the education system, art, Francophonie in the Americas, World War II and collaboration, the 1960s in France and the Francophone world, and others. Students are also exposed to authentic materials, grammatical explanations, and various activities that will help familiarize them with the exam. All students enrolled in an AP course must take the AP exam in May.
Available to students in grade(s): 11/12
Prerequisite(s): Departmental approval
Course length: Full-year
AP Spanish Language and Culture focuses on supporting students' progress in the language at an advanced level, enlarging their cultural sensitivity and competence as citizens of the 21st century, and helping them prepare for the AP Spanish Language and Culture exam. In this class, students gain more confidence in their interpretive, interpersonal, presentational, intercultural, and analytical competencies by undertaking close readings of print and audio texts, cultural comparisons, analysis and debate of current issues about the Spanish-speaking world, and the articulation of sound personal perspectives on these issues. By the end of the course, students will gain a broader understanding of Spanish-speaking cultures, solid cultural capital, stronger competencies and skills, and a better understanding of college courses. Students are exposed to authentic materials, grammatical explanations, and various activities that will help familiarize them with the exam. All students enrolled in an AP course must take the AP exam in May.
Available to students in grade(s): 11/12
Prerequisite(s): Departmental approval
AP SPANISH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
COURSE DESCRIPTIONAP Spanish Language and Culture focuses on supporting students' progress in the language at an advanced level, enlarging their cultural sensitivity and competence as citizens of the 21st century, and helping them prepare for the AP Spanish Language and Culture exam. In this class, students gain more confidence in their interpretive, interpersonal, presentational, intercultural, and analytical competencies by undertaking close readings of print and audio texts, cultural comparisons, analysis and debate of current issues about the Spanish-speaking world, and the articulation of sound personal perspectives on these issues. By the end of the course, students will gain a broader understanding of Spanish-speaking cultures, solid cultural capital, stronger competencies and skills, and a better understanding of college courses. Students are exposed to authentic materials, grammatical explanations, and various activities that will help familiarize them with the exam. All students enrolled in an AP course must take the AP exam in May.
Available to students in grade(s): 11/12
Prerequisite(s): Departmental approval
Course length: Full-year
