AP®
German Language and Culture 2011-12
Because language proficiency encompasses more than just vocabulary and grammar, a college-level language course must integrate language, content and culture. It also must clearly articulate goals for student knowledge and performance with explicit learning objectives and descriptions of expected student performance.
The revised learning objectives for AP® German Language and Culture are based on the three modes of communication — Interpersonal, Interpretive and Presentational — defined in the Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century. The course revisions also acknowledge the connectedness of comprehension and comprehensibility, vocabulary usage, language control, communication strategies and cultural awareness in developing language proficiency.
View the AP German Language and Culture Curriculum Framework (.pdf/848kb)
While the three modes of communication frame the learning objectives, the revised curriculum is structured around six broad themes — Global Challenges, Science and Technology, Contemporary Life, Personal and Public Identities, Families and Communities, and Beauty and Aesthetics — that promote an integration of language and culture. For each theme, the curriculum also identifies several recommended contexts and essential questions, providing teachers significant flexibility to select resources and design instruction.
Overall, these course revisions are intended to develop proficiency across the modes of communication within a cultural frame of reference that reflects the richness of the German language and German-speaking cultures.
AP German Exam Information
Beginning in May 2012, the AP German Language and Culture Exam will measure student proficiency in the three modes of communication described in the Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century. Whereas the current exam targets a third-year college course in German language, the revised exam will measure student performance in the Intermediate and Pre-Advanced ranges of the ACTFL Performance Guidelines for Kâ12 Learners. The Performance Guidelines provide the basis for the descriptions of student performance at each of the five points on the AP score scale included in the AP German Language and Culture Curriculum Framework. The framework focuses on learning objectives and themes that support course design.
The revised exam will remain consistent with the current exam in length and will continue to have both multiple-choice and free-response questions. As test development continues during the next two years, teachers will be provided with more details on the revised exam's specific question types as well as sample questions. A complete practice exam will be available at the beginning of the 2011â12 academic year. Please see the timeline for more information about the availability of these resources.
NOTE: For information about future course and exam changes in all other world languages, please visit the FAQs.