Important Updates
New Online Modules Available!
Developed by experts in AP instructional design, these interactive online modules will provide you with strategies, resources, and activities for teaching an effective AP world language and culture course. Be sure to check out the newest module: Building Students' Skills in Developing Effective Written Arguments.
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AP French Language and Culture Course and Exam Description—February 2012
This is the core document for this course. It clearly lays out the course content and learning objectives, describes the exam, and provides sample questions and rubrics.
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AP French Language and Culture Course and Exam Description Audio Files
The Course and Exam Description Audio Files are also available.
Course Overview
The AP French Language and Culture course emphasizes communication (understanding and being understood by others) by applying the interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational modes of communication in real-life situations. This includes vocabulary usage, language control, communication strategies, and cultural awareness. The AP French Language and Culture course strives not to overemphasize grammatical accuracy at the expense of communication. To best facilitate the study of language and culture, the course is taught almost exclusively in French.
The AP French Language and Culture course engages students in an exploration of culture in both contemporary and historical contexts. The course develops students' awareness and appreciation of cultural products (e.g., tools, books, music, laws, conventions, institutions); practices (patterns of social interactions within a culture); and perspectives (values, attitudes, and assumptions).
Essential Course Resources
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AP French Language and Culture Course Overview
The two-page Course Overview provides a succinct description of the course and exam.
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AP French Language and Culture Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about the course, exam, and AP Course Audit. -
Validated Achievement Level Descriptions
Refer to the validated achievement level descriptions for descriptions of student performance on the exam in each of the modes of communication at each of the five AP score points.
Course Planning and Pacing Guides
Written by AP teachers, these versatile guides demonstrate a variety of ways to plan and pace the AP French Language and Culture curriculum across one academic year. Each author presents a host of ideas for activities, resources, and assessments.
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French Language and Culture Course Planning and Pacing Guide 1
Davara Potel, Solon High School, Ohio—This course is taught at a suburban public high school where the teacher emphasizes the importance of cooperative activities, independent work, and creative projects.
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French Language and Culture Course Planning and Pacing Guide 2
Deanna Scheffer, St. Johns Country Day School, Fla.—This course is taught at a suburban private high school where the teacher uses a holistic approach to teaching language proficiency through interdisciplinary topics and assesses students with integrated performance tasks.
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French Language and Culture Course Planning and Pacing Guide 3
Eliane Kurbegov, Discovery Canyon Campus High School, Colo.—This course is taught at a suburban public high school where students show varying levels of French proficiency, some having attended bilingual schools or immersion programs. The teacher emphasizes differentiated instruction and communicative projects based on authentic materials.
College Board Store
Find AP French Language and Culture publications, released exams, and more in the College Board Store.
AP and Higher Education
Higher Education professionals play a key role developing AP courses and exams, setting credit and placement policies, and scoring student work. The AP Higher Ed site features information on recruitment and admission, advising and placement, and more.
This chart shows recommended scores for granting credit, and how much credit should be awarded, for each AP course. Your students can look up credit and placement policies for colleges and universities on the AP Credit Policy search.
Meet the current Development Committee for AP French Language and Culture.