Espaol AP Verano -2016

SUMMER WORK AP SPANISH LANGUAGE & CULTURE

Bienvenidos a la clase de Espaol AP de Senora Taha!
To truly learn a language you have to use it as much as possible. The AP Exam focuses on the four
communication skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. The following assignments are designed
to help you stay engaged in the language and help you practice the four skills over the summer break. AP
Spanish is designed to be the equivalent of a third year college level course, so staying on top of your
language skills over summer is essential!! No cramming at the last minute for the AP Spanish exam it
wont work!
SUCCESS ON THE AP SPANISH EXAM:
The AP Spanish Language Exam is a 3.5 - 4 hour skill-based exam testing your abilities and proficiency
in Spanish. It is not a knowledge-based exam like most other AP exams. You are on stage in Spanish for
over 3 hours integrating all four of your skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing. Familiarize
yourself with the AP Spanish Language Exam Format and scoring. The exam assumes and demands
critical, integrated expression in Spanish. You must maintain your focus during these 3+ hours.
In addition to the reading and writing portions of the AP Spanish Language exam, you must record an
improvised two-minute formal oral presentation and participate in a directed conversation.
The AP Spanish Language class is an intense, demanding course. The goal is for you to receive a 3 or
above on the exam. If you have questions, contact me and/or visit the College Board web site at:
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/about.html

Espero que tengas un buen verano. Si necesitas ayuda, puedes mandarme un mensaje
por email a
tahab@chelmsford.k12.ma.us. Nos vemos en septiembre!
SUMMER WORK:
You must hand in the written portion of assignments 1, 2 3 and 4 on THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. This
summer work packet will also be available on my own web page under the AP Summer Work tab:
http://senorataha.weebly.com/
Summer Assignments are DUE the first day of class (no late work accepted; score is not droppable)
1. AP SPANISH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE EXAM SUMMARY
Become familiar with EVERYTHING that is published on the AP website about this exam.
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/spanish_lang/exam.html?spanlang
COLLEGE BOARD SUGGESTED TIPS AND STRATEGIES:
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/prep_lang.html

Write a summary of what the five exam sections are. For each of the five sections, what percent of the
exam does each count, how do you score a perfect 5 (or a 3 or above), and most importantly, how
should you prepare for the exam and what are the most helpful study strategies for you?

2. VERBS/GRAMMAR Although AP Spanish is not a grammar course, knowledge of advanced

grammatical topics is a key element to success. Study the regular verb endings for the following
tenses: present, preterite, imperfect, future, conditional, present perfect, present subjunctive, imperfect
subjunctive. In additional to knowing the endings, of course you need to understand when to use them
and why. You must master these tenses to perform well on the exam and to become fluent. For
practice there are several sites online. Some good ones are:
http://www.spaleon.com/
http://www.studyspanish.com/
I have attached charts with the verb endings and explanations to help you study. For summer work:
a. complete the verb exercises attached to be checked by answer key the first week of class.
b. bring any questions you have about these verbs tenses; and
c. will have a test the second week of school on the regular verb tenses listed above.
3. LA

NOTICIA MS IMPORTANTE DEL VERANO

Find an online article in Spanish that you think describes the most significant event of the summer.
You can look for your article on any of the Spanish or Latino news websites such as BBC Mundo,
elpais.com, yahoo en espaol, people en espaol, espn en espaol, Univision, etc.

Use the following sheet to plan the argument you will make to the class to convince them that this was
one of the most important events of the summer. You will be presenting your arguments to the class
during the first weeks of school, in random order.

Write out three logical and coherent arguments in Spanish to support your naming this event as an
important event of the summer. Write at least 2 original ideas for each argument. Do not directly quote
your article. Please dont pick an article/event that you cant thoughtfully support with evidence.
Hand in the following sheet and the article on the first day of school.

Espaol AP Verano -2016

Espaol AP Verano 2016

4. Listening/Writing
Watch at least 1 hour of programming on a Spanish Language channel (for example, Univisin or
Telemundo). You may also watch a movie in Spanish or watch video clips that add up to one hour on the
internet (youtube, Univisin, etc.).
Write 30 words or phrases (approximately 15 for each 30 minutes) that you heard in Spanish and write
their English translation. Listen for more advanced words/phrases and/or words and phrases new to you
(please go beyond Freshmen/Sophomore year Spanish! So hint, hint, I should NOT see basic words like
casa, comida, hablo, amigo, etc. on your list).
Write 20 sentences in Spanish describing the program. Sentences should be of at least 5 words and have
a variety of vocabulary, sentence structure and verb tenses.
Use the following sheets to record your words and sentences and turn them in on the first day of school.

Espaol AP Verano 2016

Espaol AP Verano 2016

OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS:
Have your own ear buds or head set with microphone for class and homework.
Consider buying a prep book, such as AP Barrons Spanish Language and
Culture (currently about $20 on Amazon) or getting a student subscription to an AP
prep website like Vista Higher Learning - https://www.vhlcentral.com/ for additional
practice outside the classroom. If purchasing any prep book be sure to check that it
was released no earlier than 2013 since the format of the exam was revised in 2014.
Do not buy a book which has the title Spanish Language but does not include the
phrase and Culture.

*Be prepared to hand in the following on the first day of class:

AP Exam site summary
Verb worksheets; questions about verb tenses
Chart with argumentos of the article representing the most important event of the
summer. Include the article as well.
List of 30 words/phrases in Spanish and English that you heard in your video.
20 sentences describing your video. Sentences must be at least 5 words.