AP Spanish Language and Culture Summer Assignment
The following summer assignment is for the students who will be taking the AP Spanish Language and Culture Course for the 2016-2017 school year. The objective of the assignment is preparation and to give students a better idea of what to expect on the AP exam, as well as, encourage practice with the language over the summer. Taking this assignment seriously and spacing its requirements out over the summer will benefit you greatly. All assignments are to be emailed to me by the specified due date. This summer assignment will be graded for Q1. Failure to complete all sections will result in a “0”.
AP Exam Format
The AP Spanish Language and Culture Exam is approximately a 3 hour long exam testing your abilities and proficiency in Spanish. It is not a knowledge-based exam like most other AP exams, it a skills-based test. You will be integrating all four of your language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. The testing date is May 2, 2017.
Format of Assessment
Section I:Multiple Choice | 65 Questions | ~ 95 Minutes | 50% of Exam Score
· Part A:30 questions; ~40 minutes
o Interpretive Communication: Print Texts
· Part B:35 Questions; ~55 minutes
o Interpretive Communication: Print and Audio Texts (combined)
o Interpretive Communication: Audio Texts
Section II:Free Response | 4 Tasks | ~ 85 Minutes | 50% of Exam Score
· Interpersonal Writing:Email Reply (1 prompt; 15 minutes)
· Presentational Writing:Persuasive Essay (1 prompt; ~55 minutes total: 15 minutes to review materials plus 40 minutes to write)
· Interpersonal Speaking:Conversation (5 prompts; 20 seconds for each response)
· Presentational Speaking:Cultural Comparison (1 prompt; 6 minutes)
All assignments are to be emailed to
Assignment #1: Familiarize yourself with the exam (10 points)
Due Date: July 8, 2016
Objective: To become familiar with the AP Spanish Language and Culture Exam format.
Procedure: Go to https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-spanish-language
There are several tabs:
1. Course Overview
2. Course Details
3. About the Exam
4. Exam Practice
Please read and become familiar with all of the information. After reading all tabs you will write a short summary (60-100 words) in Spanish of what you have learned about this course and exam. Include some ideas of how you think you will best study and prepare yourself individually for the exam and your areas of concern.
______
Assignment #2: Interpretive Communication: Print (20 points, 2points per article)
Due Date: July 22, 2016
Objective: To strengthen one’s reading and writing skills.
Procedure: Read and summarize 10 news articles in Spanish.
The following websites are useful:
www.bbcmundo.com
www.elpais.com
www.univision.com
http://www.un.org/spanish/News/
http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/noticias.html
http://diario.elmercurio.com/2010/05/05_portada/index.htm
http://espanol.news.yahoo.com/
Assignment #3: Interpretive Communication: Audio (20 points, 2 points per summary)
Due Date: August 5, 2016
Objective: To strengthen one’s listening skills by listening to authentic materials.
Procedure: Listen to Spanish radio, news, television, podcasts, etc. and document it with a summary of 5-10 sentences in Spanish.
Vary the topics you listen to (environment, politics, economics, education, technology, health care, medicine, science, customs, architecture, fashion, art and music, etc.) Start out by listening for 15 minutes and work your way up to 30 minutes.
______
Assignment #4: Presentational Communication: Written (20 points 2 point per entry)
Due Date: August 19, 2016
Objective: To practice and strengthen one’s writing abilities.
Procedure: You will write 10 journal entries (60 words or more) on topics of your choice. You can write about family, TV shows, music, work, summer activities, goals, etc.
Your entries are to be original. Do not use any online translators. All entries are to be typed and emailed. I will not accept any assignments in September!
Assignment #5: Interpretive and Presentational Communication: Reading (30 points)
Due Date: Assignment will be given during 2 weeks of school.
Objective: To practice and strengthen one’s reading comprehension skills.
Procedure: You are to read any book of choice in Spanish. Upon returning to school, you will be asked to write a summary/report of the book.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. ¡Buena Suerte! ¡Ten un gran verano!