French LanguageFrench LanguageAdvanced Advanced PPlacementlacement

Enhancing the French Language Experience at Superior Heights

Advanced Advanced PlacementPlacement

•AP French Exam May 15th, designed by “College Board”

•North American association of colleges & universities (think SATs)

•Outside of Canada and the United States, over 40 countries world-wide recognize AP

•French Language AP – was piloted at SJD on May 7, 2007

Advanced Advanced PlacementPlacement

•Level 5 = Extremely Well Qualified

•Level 4 = Well Qualified

•Level 3 = Qualified

•Level 2 = Possibly Qualified

•Level 1 = No Recommendation

•PossiblePossible University Credit on university University Credit on university transcript if Level 3, 4 or 5 is achieved.transcript if Level 3, 4 or 5 is achieved.

Available AP Available AP SubjectsSubjects

• Art History

• Studio Art

• Biology

• Calculus

• Chemistry

• Computer Science

• Economics

• English Language

• English Literature

• Environmental Science

• French Language & French Language & CultureCulture

• Government & Politics

• European History

• US History

• World History

• Human Geography

• Music Theory

• Physics

• Psychology

• Spanish Language

FEE STRUCTUREFEE STRUCTURE

• Actual cost per exam is approximately $ 90(CDN)

• Only a $25 payment required.

• This fee is non-refundable.

• The Algoma District School Board where possible subsidizes the cost of taking the AP Exam.

IB and APIB and AP

IB and APIB and AP

The AP AdvantageThe AP Advantage• Achieve higher than non-AP students in second year university classes

• Smaller class size compared to first year university course

• Avoid some “gatekeeper” first year university courses

• AP students more likely to complete university degree

• Greater flexibility (eg. Course selections, double major)

• Skills and learning needed for university success in all courses beyond AP subject– Higher level thinking skills, less structure, style, time management

– Greater confidence in university

How Do Students PrepareHow Do Students Prepare• Voluntary – teacher and students

• Typically: 75% of AP Exam material already covered in Ontario course curriculum

• Remaining 25%:– Independent Study

– Lunch Hour Teacher Mentored Study Group

– Additional Reading and Study Activities

– Enrichment Activities

• Additional preparation develops work and learning skills required for success in university

French Language & French Language & Culture AP ExamCulture AP Exam

• Tuesday, May 15Tuesday, May 15thth, 2012 –3 hours, 2012 –3 hours (12:30 – 3:30 pm)(12:30 – 3:30 pm)

• Evaluate how well students understand written and spoken French, and their ability to respond in correct French

• With the exception of directions, French is used exclusively in the exam materials and in student responses

• Equal emphasis on four skills:

– Listening, reading, writing & speaking

French Language & French Language & Culture AP ExamCulture AP Exam

Section 1 - Interpretive communicationInterpretive communication (Multiple Choice)

A) Read short texts • (eg. Journalistic & literary texts, announcements,

advertisements, letters, maps & tables)

B) Listen to authentic audio materials• (eg. Interviews, podcasts, public service

announcements, conversations and brief presentations)

• Identify main points significant details, purpose and intended audience, make inferences and predictions

French Language & French Language & Culture AP ExamCulture AP Exam

Section 2 - (Free Response)

Interpersonal & Presentational CommunicationInterpersonal & Presentational Communication

Interpersonal Presentational

Written

Spoken

Read & reply to an e-mail message

Persuasive Essay (using 3 given sources)

Simulated conversation (respond to questions)

Presentation (2 min)

Preparing StudentsPreparing Students

• French Instruction:

– Grades 9-12 – Integrated AP-Style Activities• Teaching, Assignments, Presentations, Tests

– Grade 12 – Lunch Hour Teacher Mentoring tentatively Wed. @ 11:35 in room TBA tentatively starting Wed. Feb. 21st.

• Semester Two, 1 day per week

• Preparatory Activities, Examine sample AP exam, practice questions, microphone activities

• Focus on style of questions

• Focus on speaking section

French Language AP and French Language AP and Canadian UniversitiesCanadian Universities

• Algoma U

• York U

• U of Western Ontario

• Carleton U

• U of Guelph

• U of Toronto (Scarborough)

• U of Ottawa

• Queen’s U

• McMaster U

• Lakehead U

• Nipissing U

• Laurentian U

• McGill U

• Concordia U

• Bishop’s U

• St. Thomas U

• Dalhousie U

University credit for French Language AP is provided at most Universities including:

• Acadia U

• St. Mary’s

• UUBC

• U of Victoria

• U of Saskatchewan

• U of Manitoba

• U of Winnipeg

• Brandon U

• And more…

May 2007May 2007SJD AP ResultsSJD AP Results

•In May 2007, SJD became the first school in the ADSB to offer AP exams

•13 SJD students wrote AP French Language

May 2008May 2008SJD AP ResultsSJD AP Results

•7 out of 8 students writing the French Language Exam earned levels 3-5

•Both French Immersion and Core French students have earned university credits through AP.

May 2009May 2009SJD AP ResultsSJD AP Results

•6 out of 8 students writing the French Language Exam earned levels 3-5

May 2010May 2010AP ResultsAP Results

•19 grade 11 & 12 students wrote

•Largest group ever

•17 out of 19 students earned levels 3-5

May 2011May 2011Superior Heights AP Superior Heights AP

ResultsResults

QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?