Enhancing the French Language
Experience at Superior Heights

•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

•Level 5 = Extremely Well Qualified
•Level 4 = Well Qualified
•Level 3 = Qualified
•Level 2 = Possibly Qualified
•Level 1 = No Recommendation
• Possible University Credit on university transcript if Level 3, 4 or 5 is achieved.

• Art History
• Studio Art
• Biology
• Calculus
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Economics
• English Language
• English Literature
• Environmental Science
• French Language &
Culture
• Government & Politics
• European History
• US History
• World History
• Human Geography
• Music Theory
• Physics
• Psychology
• Spanish Language

• 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.

• 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

• 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

• Tuesday, May 15 th , 2012 –3 hours (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

Section 1 Interpretive 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

Section 2 (Free Response
)
Interpersonal & Presentational Communication
Written
Spoken
Interpersonal Presentational
Read & reply
Persuasive to an e-mail
Essay message
(using 3 given sources)
Simulated conversation
(respond to questions)
Presentation
(2 min)

• 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. 21 st .
• 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

University credit for French Language AP is provided at most Universities including:
• 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
• Acadia U
• St. Mary’s
• UUBC
• U of Victoria
• U of Saskatchewan
• U of Manitoba
• U of Winnipeg
• Brandon U
• And more…

• In May 2007, SJD became the first school in the ADSB to offer AP exams
• 13 SJD students wrote AP French Language

• 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.

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

• 19 grade 11 & 12 students wrote
• Largest group ever
• 17 out of 19 students earned levels 3-5