Where does AP Spanish come in the lineup?

[lamolina]

Could a student list Spanish 3 and AP Spanish as their 2 consecutive languages for college application purposes? Or would it be better to take Spanish 4 and then AP?

[OnMyOwn]

My dd will be taking Spanish 4 next year in 9th grade and then AP Spanish in 10th. I assume the colleges will realize she's had more than 2 years of Spanish. She will also take AP Latin in 10th, but even if she wasn't, I would think the Spanish alone would meet her language requirement. The high schools in my area give credit for foreign language requirements met in middle school.

 

Or, are you asking if most people take Spanish 4 before AP? My dd's teacher recommends at least 4 years of Spanish before taking the AP exam because it's such a tough test.

Edited April 7, 2016 by OnMyOwn

[Mabelen]

In my district, students take AP Spanish after Spanish 4.

[chiguirre]

I'm going to piggyback on your thread with a follow up question.

 

Does anyone know if you choose between AP Spanish language or AP Spanish lit or do kids do language first and then do lit? It seems colleges give more credit for AP Spanish Lit but it also seems a lot harder. Is it worth doing both for any reason? Or is it better to just prep for Lit and go for it?

[Brad S]

OP: not sure what your colleges would want, but a general answer to where AP Spanish fits was posted at:

 

http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/588830-high-school-spanish-4-reading-list-x-post/?p=6883995

 

I'm going to piggyback on your thread with a follow up question.

 

Does anyone know if you choose between AP Spanish language or AP Spanish lit or do kids do language first and then do lit? It seems colleges give more credit for AP Spanish Lit but it also seems a lot harder. Is it worth doing both for any reason? Or is it better to just prep for Lit and go for it?

 

This is also covered to some extent in the post linked above; as you said, AP Spanish Lit seems quite a bit more difficult. I think the lit course is generally the course after AP Spanish Language and Culture, where it's even offered.  The first AP course is more about Spanish proficiency in a culturally aware setting.  The Spanish lit course seems very focused on literature, with a specific reading list, and might be reasonable to take with AP English Lit.  You'd need to look at how a specific college would give credit, but AP Spanish lit does not seem to be just a more advanced version of AP Spanish Lang and Culture even though the lit class is more advanced (e.g., not like AP Calculus BC which would make AP Calculus AB redundant and unnecessary).  On the other hand, since the lit. course is more difficult, some colleges might possibly give credit for both if the lit. score is high enough.  You really need to check with the specific college(s) on this one.
 

Edited April 7, 2016 by Brad S

[lamolina]

Thanks, this is exactly what I needed to know. Looks like he will do Spanish 4 next year and then decide on AP. 

[lamolina]

Now I have another second question to go along with this. My son is finishing Spanish 3 and his hybrid school has decided not to offer Spanish 4 as he would be the only student in the class. If he were to take a dual enrollment class, what level would typically come next? I really just want him to have 3 consecutive years of Spanish on his high school transcript.

 

Also are there any other options that you know of for Spanish 4? I can not teach this as his Spanish is way past what I know. 

[OnMyOwn]

Now I have another second question to go along with this. My son is finishing Spanish 3 and his hybrid school has decided not to offer Spanish 4 as he would be the only student in the class. If he were to take a dual enrollment class, what level would typically come next? I really just want him to have 3 consecutive years of Spanish on his high school transcript.

 

Also are there any other options that you know of for Spanish 4? I can not teach this as his Spanish is way past what I know.

Here is a link to the Spanish 4 class my dd will take next year. She has taken Spanish 2 and 3 with Sr. Leven and we have been very pleased.

 

https://sites.google.com/site/spanishlearningonline/

[RootAnn]

There are some online places that offer Spanish 4 & up. Most will have a placement test that your son will have to pass.

(Our current provider only goes through Spanish 3, so I'll be facing this question next year at this time.)

Here are some online course providers. There are other options, too.

 

Landry Academy (Christian provider) has a Spanish 4 class ($780 full price - less if you have generic credits + materials), but no AP class.

Perequisite: A grade of B or better in Spanish III Grade range: 10th, 11th, 12th or instructor approval ¿Quieres mejorar tu español ? Spanish IV transports students beyond the virtual classroom on an exciting journey through the diverse Spanish-speaking world! Led by a native speaker, this course will be taught almost completely in Spanish and is for the serious student who wishes to refine his language skills. Grammar previously learned will be reviewed and advanced grammar concepts will be taught. Students will greatly improve their speaking fluidity by speaking Spanish with their instructor and classmates in every class. Emphasis will also be placed on building vocabulary, writing, the reading of stimulating Spanish literature and listening comprehension. A variety of non-lecture methods—videos, games, music, etc—will enrich students’ experience! Special care will be devoted to providing comparison between culture in the U.S. and the multi-faceted Hispanic world since cultural and linguistic competence are equally important in successful communication. ¡Empecemos!

 

Ray Leven offers Spanish 4, 5, and AP Spanish (through PA Homeschoolers). The Level 4 & 5 classes are $675-725 + materials depending on early registration or not. AP Spanish is $700-$750. Materials are extra. [This is the one OnMyOwn linked, above. The class sizes are pretty small, from what I understand.]

AP Spanish Language is a course designed for upper level students in preparation for the AP exam in May. AP students must have studied Spanish for several years, or have the equivalent skills if a native speaker.   Students are accepted after a brief interview (via Skype); there is NO FORMAL APPLICATION to complete. For further information about this course and payment options for registering, please proceed via the link to PA Homeschoolers site at http://www.aphomeschoolers.com/.

Honors Five Spanish is a course designed for students in their senior year of High School and who have completed four years of Spanish and  who are not looking forward to take the AP Spanish Language Test but are none-the-less interested in continuing the study at a high level without the pressure of the AP course .   These motivated students will have a base  text book and the teacher will add stories and novelettes to enrich the experience.    This is an academic course all the way, taught on a high level but without the stresses of standardized exams.

Honors Four Spanish is a course designed for students who have completed three years of learning Spanish formally and are desirous of more ORAL/AURAL practice to compliment their superior skills in reading and writing Spanish and having a wide vocabulary.  Students in this course will get a taste of literature via the reading and analysis of short stories in addition to learning from a challenging, high-level text book (DESCUBRE Level3 [email protected]<script data-cfhash='f9e31' type="text/javascript">/* */</script>) with enhanced computer and online activties. This class does not purport to prepare students for the AP Spanish Exam, but will more than adequately give ample practice in all  skills for  success in the SAT Spanish Subject Test.

 

 

 

I know The Potters School  (Christian provider) has Spanish 4/5 ($488 + materials) and offers an AP supplement ($188 + materials, must also be in Spanish 4/5). 

Spanish 4/5

In Spanish 4/5 we will treat Spanish not so much as its own subject, but as a cultural language for understanding and interacting with the world. In Spanish 4/5 students will learn to think in Spanish, and use it to engage in constructive and meaningful dialogue. We will consider everyday life, academic subjects, world news, cultural topics, worldview questions, and more. We will study many nuances of advanced Spanish grammar, reinforcing and deepening our ability to read and write at a high level. This class is an excellent preparation for students who wish to continue in Spanish at the advanced college level or for students interested in pursuing other romance languages. Taken with TPS AP Spanish supplement, it is excellent preparation for the AP Spanish exam. It also serves as the TPS capstone course class for those who wish to finish their Spanish studies as advanced Spanish speakers.
Note: Students preparing for the AP Spanish exam should enroll in the TPS AP Spanish supplement.
Note: This Spanish 4/5 course alternates in content each year and the teacher adjusts the difficulty for the individual student, so students can take it one year as Spanish 4 and the next as Spanish 5.

Edited April 8, 2016 by RootAnn

[lamolina]

Thank you so much!! So much great information, now just to figure out what might work for us!