This document provides guidance for teachers on developing students' interpretive communication skills in French. It summarizes key points about the redesigned Advanced Placement French exam, including that students will work with a greater variety of authentic materials from the French-speaking world, both print and audio. It recommends teachers select resources that can differentiate instruction, integrate other communication modes and culture, and vary in type, level, and authenticity. Sample exam questions and timing are outlined, and achievement levels are described to allow more detailed reporting of student performance. Examples of classroom activities integrating various skills and themes are also provided.

1. French Language and CultureUnderstanding the Interpretive ModePresented byEd Weiss

2. 2Workshop Guiding QuestionWhat instructional strategies can teachers use to ensure that, through the integration of listening and reading, students are successfully building proficiency in the Interpretive Communication mode?2

3. Three Modes of Communication3

4. 4Themes for AP World Languages

5. Key Revisions to the AP® ExamStudents will work with a greater variety of authentic materials, both print and audio, reflecting the linguistic and cultural diversity of the French-speaking world.Literary and journalistic texts but also announcements, advertisements, letters, maps, tables, etc.

6. Scripted dialogues but also radio interviews, podcasts, public service announcements, brief presentations, etc.

7. Criteria for selection are comprehensibility (accent, pace, minimal background noise/overlap) and relevance to a course theme and to a topic that could interest students.

8. Materials will be reasonably chosen, but will also reflect a range of cultural perspectives and linguistic features.It is extremely important that the day of the AP Exam not be the first time that students encounter print or audio texts that represent the French-speaking world outside of France. ‹23›

9. Guidelines for Selecting Resources Able to differentiate?

10. Integration of other modes

11. Integration of culture

12. Variety

13. Technology

14. Involving students in process

15. Interest

16. Appropriate linguistic level

17. Authenticity

18. Age level appropriate

19. Connect to AP theme6

20. Key Revisions to the AP ExamNew types of Multiple Choice itemsFor texts that are interpersonal in nature (letters, interviews, promotional pieces): What would an appropriate reply to X be?How does what X says/writes relate to what something Y has said/written? (agreement, contradiction, support, elaboration)

21. For texts that are presentational in nature (brief lectures or presentations, print narratives): How does the speaker/author organize the text? What would be an appropriate summary statement of the text?

22. For combined sets: How does information in the print text relate to information in the audio text? (general/specific, point/counterpoint)Multiple-Choice QuestionsInterpretive CommunicationMix of factual and interpretive questionsVocabulary in contextPurpose of the text, point of view of speaker/writerAudience of the textInferences and conclusionsQuestions of a “cultural” or “interdisciplinary” nature that ask students to show understanding of information in the print or audio resources

23. Exam Format – Multiple Choice

24. TimingPrint texts- 40 minutes to read 4 selections and answer 30 questionsPrint & Audio – first set4 minutes to read print text2 minutes to read intro / scan questionsListen to audioI minutes to start answersListen again – then 15 seconds x # of questions

25. TimingPrint & Audio – second set1 minute to look at chart1 minute to read intro to audio / scan questionsListen to audio1 minute to start questionsListen againAnswer questions – 15 seconds x # of questions

26. TimingAudio1 minute to read intro / scan questionsListen1 minute to start questionsListen againAnswer questions – 15 seconds x # of questions

27. AP® World Language and Culture Courses Achievement Level DescriptionsRepresent a student’s progression along the second language learning trajectory

28. Provide explicit descriptions of student performance at 5, 4, 3 and 2

29. Will allow for more detailed and meaningful reporting of student performance‹15›

30. AP® World Language and Culture Courses Achievement Level Descriptions:Written Presentational CommunicationDiscourse and development