1. Bienvenue à la Classe de Français AP!
Professeur: Madame Schroeder

2. Course Description
AP French Language and Culture is a college-level course intended for students in their fourth year of study of French.
The three modes of communication (Interpersonal, Interpretive and Presentational) defined in the Standards For Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century are foundational to the course.
The course is designed to offer an immersion experience requiring the use of French exclusively.

3. Course Aims and Objectives
To have students become proficient in interpersonal, interpretive and presentational communication in preparation for the AP French Language and Culture Exam.
To stress reading, writing, speaking and listening through each of the three modes of communication.
To enrich the students’ cultural knowledge and experience with the Francophone world through a comparison with their own cultural experience of the six course themes.

4. AP French Language and Culture Themes
Les défis mondiaux/Global Challenges
La science et technologie/Science and Technology
La vie contemporaine/Contemporary Life
La quête de soi/Personal and Public Identities
La famille et la communauté/Families and Communities
L’esthétique/Beauty and Aesthetics

5. What is the exam really about?
It is a communication exercise revolving around culture
It requires students to demonstrate a proper ability to write and express opinions, understand ideas and share thoughts in an effective manner

6. Exam Information-Section 1
Multiple Choice (Approx. 95 minutes) 50% of the final score
PART A: Interpretive Communication: Print Texts
(30 questions) approximately 40 minutes
PART B: Interpretive Communication: Print and Audio Texts (combined) and Interpretive Communication: Audio Texts (35 questions) approximately 55 minutes

7. Exam Information-Section 2
Free Response (Approximately 85 minutes) 50% of the final score
Interpersonal Writing: Reply (1 prompt, 15 minutes)
Presentational Writing: Persuasive Essay (1 prompt, approximately 55 minutes)
Interpersonal Speaking: Conversation (5 prompts, approximately 20 seconds for each response)
Presentational Speaking: Cultural Comparison (1 prompt, 2 minutes to respond)

8. Our Goals
Master strategies to employ while listening, speaking, reading and writing in French.
Review and improve grammar skills, including writing in the past, present and future tenses.
Use authentic materials such as newspaper and magazine articles, maps, charts, music, podcasts.
Edit and revise our work, learning from our mistakes.
Use AP practice tests to get acquainted with the exam and be prepared for the format of the exam.
Master the strategies that are essential in passing the AP Exam.

9. What to expect in AP Poetry and fables Songs Videos
Excerpts from French films and/or novels
Articles
Podcasts

10. Helpful suggestions…
Keep a “word directory” section in your binder to list new words, including synonyms
Explore culture-related topics and expect to present a comparison to the class
Follow and present current events in the francophone world
Devote time to your work and AVOID USING TRANSLATORS
You will have online access to your textbook; however, you may purchase the Barron’s AP textbook if you wish

11. Course Materials
AP Textbooks: APprenons for reading, writing, listening and speaking activities and Allons au-delà for authentic texts (essays, poems, interviews)
Grammar: Reprise for grammar review and instruction
Strategies and practice tests: Barron’s AP French Language and Culture and AP French Language All Access

12. Grading Policy
Grades in the AP French Language and Culture course will be based on a point rather than percentage system.
Assignments will be worth 5 to 100 points, depending on the level of difficulty and time required.
Assessments will vary: grammar activities, compositions, s, speaking activities, presentations, reading comprehension, cultural comparisons, quizzes, and persuasive essays
If you do not perform well on an assessment, you can retake a quiz or revise an essay. It is your responsibility to see me for help and complete the retake within one week.
Late assignments are accepted but the grade will be reduced.

13. How to succeed in AP French Language and Culture
Commit time to practice and/or study French each day.
Read regularly in French each day, focusing on the culture of the French-speaking world, even if it’s for 5-10 minutes.
Follow current events in “le monde francophone”, the French-speaking world.
Study and practice the strategies you are taught in class, and maintain an organized binder.
Be patient and positive! Remember, “Vouloir, c’est pouvoir”, where there’s a will, there’s a way! Your growth in the class is what matters – not what you know the first day.
We are here to support each other and help every student in this class succeed!

14. Notre Dévise
…pas de panique!