1. AP German Language and Culture What to expect and what to do

2. the class - 2015 / 16 42 students enrolled in AP 2 students in German 4 1 student in German 5 Honors I plan to have 2 classes, mixed AP and German 4 students, with about 22 students each. This is a teacher’s dream!!!

3. the AP class - general stuff The AP German class is a fun, board-approved, college level course. It is conducted almost entirely in German - but that is ok! It feels very challenging (especially at first), but every student is successful!

4. the AP class - how it works Weekly topics, posted on my website Weekly homework packets (1 hour, due at the end of the semester) Participation is super important! Weekly quizzes, 1st semester project Lots of culture and yes, more soccer!

5. examples for weekly topics politics and politicians the German economy - characteristics and top 30 companies working in Germany - professions, jobs, and how to get them the new German identity - 25 years after the fall of the Wall what Germans do for fun - beyond soccer inventions and inventors - the idea behind German engineering the environment - renewable energies and why the Germans love them German city life versus life in the country side - both fun art, film, and music - important figures and concepts

6. the AP test - what to know one of the toughest AP tests at YLHS: 78% passing rate! Yeah! Above OC, CA, and National Level!!! Only 25% of AP students take the test Test is at the level of a native speaker reading, listening, writing, speaking

7. what? Only 20% take the test? Yes, that’s right. Normal for World Languages Don’t forget: the test is very difficult! It is ok to just take the class, not the test. We take practice tests with lots of feedback, so students know by February where they stand.

8. so, why should I take the class? Taking the German AP class looks great on transcripts - hello college application This class counts - hello GPA Passing the AP test gives major college credit - hello early graduation Taking the class lets you pass college entrance exams - hello internal credit

9. what is taught in the class? Understanding native speakers reading and listening Expressing yourself entirely in German speaking / pronunciation writing/spelling, conventions, grammar Understanding (!) the culture

10. My goals Students explore topics that matter to them through the German language. Students understand German and European culture and thinking. Students are able to pass important tests Students see German as an opportunity!

11. What to do - starting tomorrow Sorry, no official summer homework. Check out my website for a list of links reading, videos, podcasts, culture magazines, online courses, public TV Try to speak as much as possible.

12. what students are saying 91% rank the class between somewhat easy and somewhat difficult (nobody called it very difficult!) 50% say this class causes them no stress. That’s good! 57% say this class made a substantial difference in making them a better student (96% say it made a difference) 60% felt well or very well prepared to take the class 100% say the content learned is valuable (40%), very valuable (40%) or extremely valuable (20%) 100% highly or very highly recommend the class. Wow!

13. Quote of the Day “German changed my life!” Are you ready for it?