Advanced Placements- World Languages and Cultures

Advanced Placement Examinations, commonly referred to as AP Exams, are standardized tests administered by the College Board in the United States. These exams are designed to assess a student's knowledge and understanding of college-level material in various subjects. AP Exams are typically taken by high school students who have completed advanced coursework in a particular subject and wish to demonstrate their proficiency to colleges and universities. The exams cover a wide range of subjects, including but not limited to English literature and composition, calculus, biology, chemistry, physics, history, psychology, and foreign languages.

Taking AP Exams can have several benefits for students. Firstly, it allows them to challenge themselves academically and engage with college-level material. Secondly, earning a high score on an AP Exam can enhance a student's college application and demonstrate their commitment to academic excellence. Furthermore, receiving college credit or advanced placement can save students time and money by allowing them to bypass introductory courses in college.

Courses Offered in AP World Languages and Cultures

The AP World Languages and Culture section of the Advanced Placement program contains 8 courses all of which are-

• Chinese Language and Culture
• French Language and Culture
• German Language and Culture
• Italian Language and Culture
• Japanese Language and Culture
• Latin
• Spanish Language and Culture
• Spanish Literature and Culture

AP Chinese Language and Culture

The AP Chinese Language and Culture program is an advanced placement program offered by the College Board that focuses on developing students' proficiency in the Chinese language and their understanding of Chinese culture. The AP Chinese Language and Culture course in Mandarin Chinese focuses on promoting effective communication through the use of interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills in authentic contexts. This encompasses vocabulary usage, language proficiency, communication tactics, and cultural sensitivity.

Course Framework Components

• Skills
• Themes
• Modes
• Task Models

AP Chinese Language and Culture Course Skills

• Comprehend Text
• Make Connections
• Interpret Text
• Make Meanings
• Speak to Others
• Write to Others
• Present Orally
• Present in Writing

AP Chinese Language and Culture Course Themes

• Families and Communities
• Global Challenges
• Personal and Public Identities
• Contemporary Life
• Beauty and Aesthetics
• Science and Technology

Prerequisites for AP Chinese Language and Culture

There are no required courses prior to taking AP Chinese Language and Culture. Nevertheless, students usually have completed four years of high school-level study. Native or heritage speakers may have a distinct study path that leads to this course.

Exam Structure of AP Chinese Language and Culture

Section IA: Multiple Choice Listening
This section encompasses a diverse range of audio materials, encompassing transportation announcements, voice messages, school conversations, radio reports, instructions, and dialogues. This particular section comprises a range of 25 to 35 questions, accounting for 25% of the overall score. The allotted time for this section is 20 minutes. It is divided into 2 subsections:

• Rejoinders: Students are required to listen to a set of short dialogues and, following each one, choose the most appropriate response from the options provided. This section consists of 10-15 questions to be allotted 10 minutes and contributes 10% towards the final score.
• Listening selections: Students are required to recognize the key concepts and supporting information presented in the audio content, interpret a range of vocabulary terms, including unfamiliar words, and ascertain the significance of a text by considering cultural and/or interdisciplinary knowledge. They must also deduce implied meanings based on context. This assessment comprises 15-20 questions to be answered within 10 minutes and contributes 15% towards the final score.

Section IB: Multiple Choice Reading
This section is made up of 35-40 questions that need to be completed within 60 minutes and make up 25% of the overall score. It encompasses a variety of written materials. The questions aim to evaluate the student's ability to identify the main ideas and supporting details in the written content, understand the meaning of different vocabulary words, infer the meaning of unfamiliar terms, determine the significance of a text based on cultural or interdisciplinary information, and deduce implied meanings from context.

Section IIA: Free Response Written
This section consists of two questions that must be answered within a time limit of 30 minutes. It contributes to 25% of the overall score.

• Presentational Writing: Students are required to recount a story based on a sequence of images in 15 minutes. This task holds a weightage of 15% towards their overall score.
• Interpersonal Writing: Students are required to carefully read and respond to an email within 15 minutes, with this task contributing to 10% of their final score.

Section IIB: Free Response Spoken
This section comprises two tasks and seven questions that must be responded to within 11 minutes. It contributes to 25% of the total score.

• Interpersonal Speaking: During a four-minute simulated conversation, students must respond to a set of six thematically related questions. This portion accounts for 10% of the final exam grade.
• Presentational Speaking: Students are required to present on a specific facet of Chinese culture. They will be given 1 minute to review the prompt, followed by 4 minutes to prepare their presentation. Subsequently, they will have 2 minutes to deliver their presentation. This task holds a weightage of 15% towards their overall score.

AP French Language and Culture

The AP French Language and Culture program places a strong emphasis on effective communication, which involves both comprehending and expressing oneself to others. This is achieved through the application of interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills in authentic everyday scenarios. These skills encompass the appropriate use of vocabulary, mastery of language mechanics, implementation of effective communication strategies, and a deep understanding of cultural nuances.

Course Framework Components

• Skills
• Themes
• Modes
• Task Models

AP French Language and Culture Course Skills

• Comprehend Text
• Make Connections
• Interpret Text
• Make Meanings
• Speak to Others
• Write to Others
• Present Orally
• Present in Writing

AP French Language and Culture Course Themes

• Families and Communities
• Global Challenges
• Personal and Public Identities
• Contemporary Life
• Beauty and Aesthetics
• Science and Technology

Prerequisites of AP French Language and Culture

There are no mandatory requirements for enrollment; nevertheless, students generally have completed four years of high school-level French language courses. Native or heritage speakers may follow an alternative route of study to access this course.

Exam Structure of AP French Language and Culture

Section IA: Multiple Choice
This section comprises 30 questions that must be responded to within the allotted 40 minutes. It holds a weightage of 23% towards the final score. This section includes 4 sets of genuine printed sources such as announcements, advertisements, literary texts, articles, charts, and letters, accompanied by corresponding questions. The questions will require students to recognize the primary concepts and supporting information, ascertain the significance of vocabulary words in context, identify the author's perspective or the intended audience, and exhibit comprehension of the cultural or interdisciplinary information conveyed in the text.

Section IB: Multiple Choice with Audio
This particular section comprises 35 questions that must be responded to within 55 minutes. It holds a significant weightage of 27% towards the overall score. Within this section, a diverse range of genuine audio sources are incorporated, such as conversations, audio reports, interviews, instructions, and presentations. Furthermore, it is further divided into two subsections:

• The first sub-section contains two groups of audio resources that are matched with written materials about the identical subject along with some questions (such as articles and audio recordings, graphs, and dialogues).
• In the second part, there are three groups of audio materials that come with questions. These audio sources consist of interviews, instructions, and presentations.

Section IIA: Free Response Written
In this section, there are two questions that must be completed in 70 minutes and count for 25% of the overall score.

• Interpersonal Writing: Students are required to read and respond to an email within a time limit of 15 minutes.
• Presentational Writing: Students are required to compose an argumentative essay within 55 minutes. This task involves analyzing and incorporating three sources, namely an article, a visual representation such as a table, chart, graph, or infographic, and an audio source that presents varying perspectives on a given topic. The students are allotted 15 minutes to review the provided materials, followed by 40 minutes to construct their essays.

Section IIB: Free Response Spoken
In this section, there are two questions that must be completed in 18 minutes and count for 25% of the overall score.

• Interpersonal Speaking: Students are required to engage in five exchanges during a simulated conversation, with each response limited to 20 seconds. In preparation for this conversation, students will receive a preview that includes an outline for each exchange.
• Presentational Speaking: Students are required to present a concise 2-minute speech addressing a given prompt. The prompt entails comparing a cultural aspect of a French-speaking community, with which the students are acquainted, to either their own community or another community.

AP German Language and Culture

The AP German Language and Culture program focuses on fostering effective communication through the application of interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills in authentic contexts. This encompasses the use of vocabulary, language proficiency, communication tactics, and cultural sensitivity.

Course Framework Components

• Skills
• Themes
• Modes
• Task Models

AP German Language and Culture Course Skills

• Comprehend Text
• Make Connections
• Interpret Text
• Make Meanings
• Speak to Others
• Write to Others
• Present Orally
• Present in Writing

AP German Language and Culture Course Themes

• Families and Communities
• Global Challenges
• Personal and Public Identities
• Contemporary Life
• Beauty and Aesthetics
• Science and Technology

Prerequisites for AP German Language and Culture

There are typically no requirements for enrollment in this course, although it is common for students to have completed four years of high school-level German language study. Native or heritage speakers may follow an alternative study path to access this course.

Exam Structure of AP German Language and Culture

Section IA: Multiple Choice
This section consists of 30 questions that need to be answered within 40 minutes. It accounts for 23% of the total score. It contains 4 sets of authentic printed materials like announcements, ads, literary works, articles, charts, and letters, along with related questions. Students will need to identify key ideas and supporting details, understand the meaning of vocabulary words in context, recognize the author's viewpoint or target audience, and demonstrate an understanding of the cultural or interdisciplinary information presented in the text.

Section IB: Multiple Choice with Audio
This section contains 35 questions that need to be answered within 55 minutes. It accounts for 27% of the total score. Various authentic audio sources are included in this portion, including conversations, audio reports, interviews, instructions, and presentations. Additionally, it is divided into two subsections:

• The first subsection comprises two sets of audio resources paired with written materials on the same topic, as well as various questions (e.g. articles and audio recordings, charts, and dialogues).
• The second section contains three sets of audio resources accompanied by corresponding questions. These audio materials include interviews, instructions, and presentations.

Section IIA: Free Response Written In this section, there are two questions that must be answered within 70 minutes, making up 25% of the overall score.

• Interpersonal Writing: Students are required to read and respond to an email within 15 minutes.
• Presentational Writing: Students must write an argumentative essay in 55 minutes. They need to analyze and include three sources: an article, a visual representation (like a table, chart, graph, or infographic), and an audio source presenting different viewpoints on a specific topic. Students have 15 minutes to review the materials and then 40 minutes to write their essays.

Section IIB: Free Response Spoken There are two questions in this section that must be answered within 18 minutes, which accounts for 25% of the overall score.

• Interpersonal Speaking: Students must participate in five exchanges as part of a simulated conversation, with 20 seconds for each response. Prior to the conversation, students will be provided with a preview containing an outline for each exchange.
• Presentational Speaking: Students must deliver a brief 2-minute speech in response to a specific prompt. This prompt involves drawing a comparison between a cultural element of a French-speaking community that they are familiar with, and either their own community or a different community.

AP Italian Language and Culture

The primary objective of the AP Italian Language and Culture course is to improve communication skills, including comprehension and expression. This is accomplished by practicing interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational abilities in real-life situations. The course encompasses vocabulary usage, language proficiency, communication tactics, and cultural understanding.

Course Framework Components

• Skills
• Themes
• Modes
• Task Models

AP Italian Language and Culture Course Skills

• Comprehend Text
• Make Connections
• Interpret Text
• Make Meanings
• Speak to Others
• Write to Others
• Present Orally
• Present in Writing

AP Italian Language and Culture Course Themes

• Families and Communities
• Global Challenges
• Personal and Public Identities
• Contemporary Life
• Beauty and Aesthetics
• Science and Technology

Prerequisites for AP Italian Language and Culture

There are no mandatory requirements for enrollment, although students generally have completed four years of high school Italian language courses. Native or heritage speakers may have an alternative route to qualify for this class.

Exam Structure of AP Italian Language and Culture

Section IA: Multiple Choice
This section includes a total of 30 questions that must be answered in a time limit of 40 minutes. It contributes to 23% of the overall score. It comprises 4 sets of genuine printed materials such as announcements, advertisements, literary pieces, articles, charts, and letters, accompanied by relevant questions. Students will be required to identify main concepts and supporting information, comprehend the meaning of vocabulary words in the given context, acknowledge the author's perspective or intended audience, and exhibit an understanding of the cultural or interdisciplinary information presented in the text.

Section IB: Multiple Choice with Audio
In this section of the test, students will encounter 35 questions that must be answered within a time limit of 55 minutes. This section accounts for 27% of the total score. It includes various audio materials that reflect real-life situations, such as conversations, audio reports, interviews, instructions, and presentations. Additionally, this section is divided into two smaller subsections:

• In the first part, there are two collections of audio resources combined with written materials on the same subject, along with a variety of questions such as articles, audio recordings, charts, and dialogues.
• In the second part, there are three groups of audio materials along with related questions. These audio resources consist of interviews, instructions, and presentations.

Section IIA: Free Response Written
In this section, students need to answer two questions in 70 minutes, which counts for 25% of their total score.

• Interpersonal Writing: Students must read an email and provide a response within a time frame of 15 minutes.
• Presentational Writing: Students are required to compose an argumentative essay within a time limit of 55 minutes. In this task, they are expected to carefully examine and incorporate three sources into their writing. These sources consist of an article, a visual representation such as a table, chart, graph, or infographic, and an audio source that presents various perspectives on a particular subject. Before commencing their essays, students are granted a 15-minute period to review the provided materials. Following this, they have 40 minutes to construct their well-structured and persuasive essays.

Section IIB: Free Response Spoken
Two questions are presented in this portion that necessitate responses within 18 minutes, constituting a quarter of the total score.

• Interpersonal Speaking: Students are required to engage in five exchanges during a simulated conversation, with 20 seconds allocated for each response. Before the conversation takes place, students will receive a preview outlining the structure of each exchange.
• Presentational Speaking: Students are required to present a concise 2-minute speech addressing a particular prompt. This prompt entails making a comparison between a cultural aspect of a French-speaking community that they are acquainted with, and either their own community or a distinct community.

AP Japanese Language and Culture

The AP Japanese Language and Culture course places a strong emphasis on effective communication, ensuring that students are able to comprehend and express themselves clearly in various real-life scenarios. This is achieved through the application of interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational modes of communication. Students are encouraged to enhance their vocabulary usage, language control, communication strategies, and cultural awareness. The course not only delves into contemporary culture but also explores historical contexts, allowing students to gain a comprehensive understanding of Japanese culture. Moreover, the course aims to foster students' awareness and appreciation of social, political, and educational issues, such as the role of religion in society and the dynamics between traditional and modern gender roles. Additionally, the course covers more traditional topics including arts, customs, festivals, geography, and history.

Course Framework Components

• Skills
• Themes
• Modes
• Task Models

AP Japanese Language and Culture Course Skills

• Comprehend Text
• Make Connections
• Interpret Text
• Make Meanings
• Speak to Others
• Write to Others
• Present Orally
• Present in Writing

AP Japanese Language and Culture Course Themes

• Families and Communities
• Global Challenges
• Personal and Public Identities
• Contemporary Life
• Beauty and Aesthetics
• Science and Technology

Prerequisites for AP Japanese Language and Culture

Prerequisite courses are not required, but students generally have completed four years of high school-level Japanese language study. Native or heritage speakers may follow a different course pathway to access this class.

Exam Structure of AP Japanese Language and Culture

Section IA: Multiple Choice Listening
This section comprises 30-35 questions that must be completed within 20 minutes and account for 25% of the total score. It encompasses a range of audio resources such as public announcements, voice messages, instructions, cultural presentations, school debates, radio reports, and dialogues.

Section IB: Multiple Choice Reading
Within this portion, there are 35-40 questions that must be responded to within 60 minutes, accounting for 25% of the total assessment. This segment encompasses a range of written content such as journalistic and literary pieces, emails, letters, instructions, and travel brochures.

Section IIA: Free Response Written
This section comprises two tasks and seven questions that need to be answered within a time limit of 30 minutes. It holds a weightage of 25%.

• Interpersonal Writing: Students are required to read and respond to text-chat messages within 10 minutes, accounting for 12.5% of their final exam score.
• Presentational Writing: In the examination, students are required to compose an article within a time limit of 20 minutes. This article should focus on comparing and contrasting two assigned topics or perspectives. It is important to note that this task contributes to 12.5% of the overall exam score.

Section IIB: Free Response Spoken This section contains 2 tasks and 5 questions that must be responded to within 10 minutes. It carries a value of 25%.

• Interpersonal Speaking: As part of a simulated conversation, students are required to answer a set of four interconnected prompts within a time limit of three minutes. Each prompt must be responded to within 20 seconds, and this section accounts for 12.5% of the overall exam score.
• Presentational Speaking: Students are required to present their interpretation or standpoint on a cultural aspect of Japan. They will be given 1 minute to review the prompt, 4 minutes to prepare, and 2 minutes to deliver their presentation.

AP Latin

The AP Latin course centers on the thorough examination of excerpts from two of the most significant works in Latin literature: Vergil’s Aeneid and Caesar’s Gallic War. Students are expected to analyze and translate the assigned readings while also analyzing these texts within a relevant framework, fostering the growth of critical, historical, and literary awareness.

AP Latin Course Skills

• Reading and Comprehension
• Translation
• Contextualization
• Textual Analysis
• Argumentation

AP Latin Course Themes

• Literary Style and Genre
• Roman Values
• War and Empire
• Leadership
• Views of Non-Romans
• History and Memory
• Human Beings and the Gods

Prerequisites for AP Latin

There are typically no prerequisites for this course; however, students are generally in their fourth year of high-school-level study.

Exam Structure of AP Latin

Section I: Multiple Choice
In this section, 50 questions must be answered within a 60-minute time limit, and they account for 50% of the total exam score. This section evaluates students' comprehension of the poetry and prose readings discussed in the course, along with their aptitude for reading unfamiliar texts. The questions also necessitate students to establish connections between the Latin texts and the historical, cultural, and literary aspects of ancient Rome. The 4 types of questions in this section are:

• Syllabus reading: Vergil (10-12 questions)
• Syllabus reading: Caesar (10-12 questions)
• Sight reading: Poetry (13-15 questions)
• Sight reading: Prose (13-15 questions)

Section II: Free Response
In this section, there are five questions that must be answered within two hours, which includes a 15-minute reading period. This section accounts for 50% of the exam score.

• 2 translation questions: Vergil (1 passage) and Caesar (1 passage). Students must translate a short passage from the assigned readings verbatim.
• 1 analytical essay question: Students are required to analyze the linguistic and literary features of 2 Latin passages from the assigned readings by writing an essay that compares them.
• 2 short-answer questions: Vergil (1 passage) and Caesar (1 passage). Students will receive a passage from the assigned readings and will need to respond to a set of 5-7 questions related to the passage.

AP Spanish Language and Culture

The AP Spanish Language and Culture program focuses on enhancing communication skills (comprehension and expression) through the use of interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational abilities in authentic contexts. This encompasses vocabulary application, linguistic proficiency, effective communication techniques, and cultural sensitivity.

Course Framework Components

• Skills
• Themes
• Modes
• Task Models

AP Spanish Language and Culture Course Skills

• Comprehend Text
• Make Connections
• Interpret Text
• Make Meanings
• Speak to Others
• Write to Others
• Present Orally
• Present in Writing

AP Spanish Language and Culture Course Themes

• Families and Communities
• Global Challenges
• Personal and Public Identities
• Contemporary Life
• Beauty and Aesthetics
• Science and Technology

Prerequisites for AP Spanish Language and Culture

Students are not required to have any prerequisites, but they are usually in their fourth year of high school Spanish language study. Native or heritage speakers may follow a different study path to access this course.

Exam Structure of AP Spanish Language and Culture

Section IA: Multiple Choice
This particular section comprises a total of 30 questions that need to be responded to within 40 minutes. It contributes to approximately 23% of the overall score. Within this section, students will encounter 4 sets of genuine print sources, including announcements/advertisements, literary texts, articles, charts, and letters, each accompanied by a set of questions.

Section IB: Multiple Choice with Audio
This section consists of 35 questions that must be completed within a time limit of 55 minutes. It accounts for 27% of the total score. The section encompasses a range of genuine audio materials, such as dialogues, audio news, interviews, directions, and lectures. It is divided into 2 subsections:

• The first set comprises 2 pairs of audio sources that are matched with written materials on the identical subject matter along with inquiries (articles and audio reports, charts, and discussions).
• The second set comprises 3 pairs of audio sources with inquiries (interviews, directions, presentations).

Section IIA: Free Response Written This section comprises of two questions that must be answered within a time limit of 70 minutes. These questions account for 25% of the total score. The two tasks in this section are outlined below:

• Interpersonal Writing: Students have to read and reply to an email message within 15 minutes.
• Presentational Writing: In a span of 55 minutes, students are required to compose an argumentative essay by utilizing three sources. These sources encompass an article, a visual representation such as a table, chart, graph, or infographic, and an audio source that presents varying perspectives on a given subject matter. The allocated time consists of 15 minutes for reviewing the provided materials, followed by 40 minutes dedicated to the actual writing process.

Section IIB: Free Response Spoken
This section comprises of two questions that must be answered within a time limit of 18 minutes. It contributes to 25% of the overall score. The two speaking tasks in this section are as follows:

• Interpersonal Speaking: As part of the simulated conversation, students are expected to participate in 5 exchanges, with each response being restricted to 20 seconds. They will be given a preview of the conversation and a detailed outline of each exchange.
• Presentational Speaking: Students are required to present a 2-minute speech addressing a specific topic, where they will compare a cultural aspect of a Spanish-speaking community that they are familiar with to their own community or a different one.

AP Spanish Literature and Culture

The AP Spanish Literature and Culture course adopts a thematic approach to familiarize students with significant literary works (such as short stories, novels, poetry, plays, and essays) from Peninsular Spanish, Latin American, and U.S. Hispanic literature. The exploration of literature takes place within the framework of its respective time and place, allowing students to gain a deeper understanding of the diverse voices, historical periods, and cultures represented in the mandatory readings and other texts. Additionally, the course places a strong emphasis on exploring cultural, artistic, and linguistic connections and making comparisons, which is facilitated through the examination of various forms of media such as art, music, film, articles, and literary criticism.

AP Spanish Literature and Culture Course Skills

• Analysis
• Cultural Context and Connections
• Comparing Literary Texts
• Comparing Texts and Arts
• Argumentation
• Language and Conventions
• Literary Discussions and Presentations

Prerequisites for AP Spanish Literature and Culture

Although there are no requirements for enrollment in this course, AP Spanish Literature and Culture is intended for students who have finished a minimum of three years of Spanish language study at the high school level. While not mandatory, students might consider finishing the AP Spanish Language and Culture course prior to enrolling in AP Spanish Literature and Culture, since the materials are in Spanish. Native or heritage speakers may have an alternative route of study that leads to this course.

Exam Structure of AP Spanish Literature and Culture

Section IA: Multiple Choice Interpretive Listening
This particular section comprises three sets of questions derived from authentic audio texts. In total, there are 15 questions that need to be answered within 20 minutes. This section contributes to 10% of the overall score. The 3 sets are as follows:

• An excerpt from an interview with an author
• A recited poem that is not on the required reading list
• A presentation on a literary topic related to course content

Section IB: Multiple Choice Reading Analysis
This section consists of 50 questions that need to be answered within 1 hour and contribute to 40% of the overall score. It encompasses 6 sets of 7-10 questions, which are derived from readings covering a wide range of genres, periods, and locations within the Spanish-speaking world. Two passages will be included in one set, which are connected by a common theme. One of these passages is sourced from the required reading list, while the other is extracted from a non-required text. Reading includes:

• Works from the required reading list
• Works outside the required reading list
• A passage of literary criticism regarding a work or author from the list

Section II: Free Response
The free-response section includes two short-answer questions and two long-essay questions that need to be answered within a time limit of 1 hour and 40 minutes. This section accounts for up to 50% of the total score.

• 2 Short-Answer Questions:
  • Text Explanation: Students are expected to analyze a passage from a text listed as required reading, recognize the author and time period of the text, and discuss the progression of a specific theme present in the passage in connection to the entire work it is extracted from.
  • Text and Art Comparison: Students are expected to analyze a passage from a text listed as required reading and examine an image of an artwork (such as a painting, photograph, sculpture, or drawing) that shares a common theme with the text. They will then evaluate how this theme is depicted in both the text and the image and proceed to establish a connection between the theme and the genre, period, or movement of the text.
• 2 Essay Questions:
  • Analysis of a Single Text: Students are expected to analyze how an excerpt from a text on the mandatory reading list portrays the features of a specific genre, along with a particular historical, cultural, or social context.
  • Text Comparison: Students are required to analyze two excerpts that share a common theme- one from a text on the required list and the other from a text not on the list. They must examine the impact of literary devices employed by the authors in developing a specific theme provided in the question prompt.