AP® Spanish and French Colleagues: Embrace Upcoming Changes with Confidence!
Last spring, we learned of revisions to the AP World Language and Culture courses and exams, with a Preview Course Framework shared in November. We now know what will and will not change.
Should we be concerned? Absolutely not, the changes are positive! Core instruction will still focus on authentic resources, building proficiency in the modes of communication, and developing cultural perspectives. The new course project, received a few months before the exam, will include materials to guide students and prepare them for authentic speaking tasks.
Exam tasks will focus on authentic communication, eliminating “made-up” letters and conversations, and reflecting real-life skills. Better, right?
Besides our exam going digital in 2027, using Bluebook, eliminating CD issues and hunting for an outdated CD player, it will also be shorter!
Regarding training, AP Summer Institutes and the AP Annual Conference are great opportunities for PD focused on course and exam changes and AP Classroom. And, from the course revision FAQs: “Textbooks published in the last 10 years will adequately address the revised course material.”
At Vista, we are mapping our authentic texts to the newer frameworks and developing supplements, webinars, and focused PD.
So, let’s go forward confidently, embracing an improved course and exam!
Parthena Draggett is lead author of Temas and co-author of Thèmes, for Vista Higher Learning.