AP French Language and Culture

Course Catalog ID:

3636

Subject Categories:

AP Course, Global Language

Description

This class prepares accomplished French language students for the Advanced Placement exam. The teacher is trained, certified and experienced as a Reader (evaluator) for the AP French exam. The course explores the themes presented in the AP exam: Global Challenges, Science and Technology, Contemporary Life, Personal and Public Identities, Families and Communities, and Beauty and Aesthetics. In class we will read on-topic material together, and discuss and debate complex ideas — all in French. This course will help the student anticipate the format of the exam and drill the necessary skills of interpretative communication, interpersonal writing, presentational writing, interpersonal speaking and presentational speaking. Watching films and French TV, along with reading comprehension and audio recordings, will develop fluency. Assignments, quizzes, and tests will be targeted toward building and demonstrating AP French exam readiness.

Prerequisites

Grade Levels*:

11, 12

* Enrollment restricted based on Date of Birth and Grad Year (whichever is more limiting). Enrollment outside these levels requires written concurrence from TPS Support.

Readiness

• Successful completion (80% or higher) of TPS French 4 Language, Literature and Culture

━ OR ━

• Successful completion (90% or higher) of TPS French 3 Language and Culture

━ OR ━

• Successful completion of Readiness Test

Notes and Conditions

Suggested Preparation: AP French may be taken after French 3 or French 4. The AP French exam covers not only language but also culture and current cultural issues. Students will be better prepared for both language and culture and earn higher scores if AP French is taken after French 4, preferably during the student’s last year in high school.

Attendance Required: Because this is a spoken language mastery course, regular active participation is required and is factored into the course grade. This course is unable to offer the flexible scheduling you may expect from TPS AP and college dual credit courses.

AP® Certified: Learn more about TPS AP courses and exam results. (AP® is a trademark owned by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse, this course.)

California A-G: This course has CA A-G approval.

“This course is a wonderful French class taught by a very helpful and caring teacher. It does an excellent job preparing the student for the AP French exam and is also taught in a way that keeps students interested and engaged throughout the whole year! The various subjects or “themes” that were covered gave me a wonderful new perspective on Francophone culture and I learned things in French that were even new to me in English on subjects covered like science, technology, marketing, theatre, music, and other aspects of Francophone culture! I would highly recommend this class to anyone with a love of French and someone who wants an interesting and very educational class where they will learn so much throughout the year!”

Emily V

Student

“I would highly recommend this course to those intending to take the AP French Language and Culture exam. I felt very prepared to take the test at the end of the year. The repetitive drill helped to make me confident in my abilities and very familiar with the test format. I felt that everything in the course was assigned in order to facilitate my success in the AP French test.”

Rachel B

Student

“The French program at The Potter’s School has been excellent. My daughter’s confidence in tackling a second language is growing as she becomes more fluent in speaking French. She hopes to travel to France on the TPS mission trip one day.”

Jennifer Z

Parent

“When I first started French through TPS, I thought French class would just be a way to fulfill my foreign language credit. However, I have come to realize that French is actually one of my passions that I plan to pursue in college! While the format of the homework assignments allow for hands-on learning, the cultural projects helped me understand more about France than just the language (and also gave my family an opportunity to enjoy some of the foods I prepared 🙂 ). The teacher is absolutely wonderful. She brings such life and spirit to every class, and her sense of humor and approach to teaching have made this class one of my favorites during my time with the Potter’s School. Merci beaucoup, Mme, pour cette année marveilleuse ! Vous me manquerez ! Je suis extrêmement reconnaissant à vous pour ces années de la joie!”

Halle T

Student

“The Potter’s School French courses are not only excellent at teaching the students the French language, but also cultivating a broader understanding of France’s culture and traditions. Through highly interactive classes, I have learned to debate, discuss and engage with classmates in French.”

Leanne Z

Student