The document summarizes key changes and priorities in the new AP World Language curriculum framework: 1) It shifts the focus from learning about language functions to using language for interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational communication. Grammar is de-emphasized in favor of fluency and accuracy. 2) The course uses a thematic approach to integrate language, content, and culture. Students learn about cultural products, practices, and perspectives through culturally relevant materials. 3) Student progress is assessed based on achievement levels in the three communication modes at different proficiency levels, rather than through separate culture sections.

1. • A two day workshop to energize your staff on:
– Latest instructional technology
– Articulation of your program
– Empowering pre-AP instruction
– Using and finding authentic materials
Presented by
Ed Weiss

2. Il faut se présenter!
Nom, vos cours
Expérience avec AP, la technologie
Raison d’être (ici à l’atelier!)
Famille, intérêts, etc.....

3. A New Vocabulary
 New world language guidelines
• integrate language, content and culture
• help students “function in the language” rather
than “learn language function”
• promote fluency and accuracy in language
use, recognizing the importance of grammar but
placing priority on communication.

4. Critical Revisions
• Focus on three modes of communication:
Interpersonal, Interpretive and Presentational
• The course has a thematic approach.
• The course includes a focus on culture as described in the
Standards: cultural products, practices, and perspectives.

5. Communication Modes
Interpersonal Communication
Active negotiation of meaning among individuals through conversation
(face-to-face or telephonic); however, it can also be realized through reading
and writing (e.g., exchange of personal letters, notes, summaries or e-mails)
Interpretive Communication
No active negotiation of meaning with another individual, although there is
an active negotiation of meaning construction; includes the cultural
interpretation of text, movies, radio, television and speeches
Presentational Communication
Creation of spoken or written communication prepared for an audience and
rehearsed, revised or edited before presentation; one-way communication
that requires interpretation by others without negotiation of meaning

6. Six Primary Learning Objectives
(the six jobs that students must do)
 Spoken Interpersonal Communication
 Written Interpersonal Communication
 Audio, Visual, and Audiovisual Interpretive
Communication
 Written and Print Interpretive Communication
 Spoken Presentational Communication
 Written Presentational Communication

7. A Thematic Approach
Global
Challenges
Beauty and
Aesthetics
Science and
Technology
Families and
Communities
Contemporary
Life
Personal and
Public
Identities
Six themes

8. Products, Practices, Perspectives
 Students must be familiar with cultural
“products, practices and perspectives.”
 The AP exam will not have a separate culture
section. No cultural trivia questions.
 At all levels we want to provide culturally
relevant materials to engage students.

9. Performance Guidelines
Novice
Intermediate
Pre-Advanced
AP Course
Interactive guide to these levels & 3 modes

11. Focus on Communication
• The course is designed around an overarching premise:
When communicating, AP® world language students [must]
demonstrate an understanding of the culture(s), incorporate
interdisciplinary topics (Connections), make comparisons
between the native language and the target language and
between cultures (Comparisons), and use the target language
in real-life settings (Communities).

13. How do we assess all of this?
Achievement Level Descriptions
•Represent a student’s progression along the second
language learning trajectory
•Provide explicit descriptions of student performance at
5, 4, 3 and 2
•Will allow for more detailed and meaningful reporting of
student performance

14. AP® World Language and Culture
Courses
Achievement Level Descriptions:
Spoken
Interpersonal
Communication
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Interaction
Strategies
Opinions
Language structures
Vocabulary
Register
Pronunciation
Cultures, connections
and comparisons
Audio, Visual
and Audiovisual
Interpretive
Communication
 Comprehension of
content
 Critical viewing and
listening
 Vocabulary
 Cultures, connections
and comparisons
Written
Presentational
Communication
 Discourse and
development
 Strategies
 Language structures
 Writing conventions
 Register
 Cultures, connections
and comparisons

15. Broader Application of Curriculum Framework
• AP® is generally the capstone course offered in the fourth
or fifth year of an articulated sequence.
• The Curriculum Framework can be used to inform the
entire program of instruction from beginning to AP. At all
levels you can:
o Design thematic instruction
oDevelop proficiencies in each mode of communication
oArticulate expected levels of performance

17. Now that we know the basics…
• Let’s take a look at how a French program
works as a cohesive, articulated set of courses
where each level seamlessly leads students to
proficiency and success….