World Language Comparison
Level 4 vs. AP Language
Level 4
The Level 4 course is designed to expand students' speaking, writing skills, and cultural awareness beyond practical, day-to-day language functions based on FCPS-Program of Study. The course is rigorous and challenging and helps prepare the student for college-level courses as well as more advanced courses at TJ.
AP Language
AP Language is an intense and challenging course based on the College Board standards and the AP exam for this course. The class will follow a thematic syllabus which will serve as a medium for in-depth study of culture, literature, history, politics and current events/issues.
Comparison Chart
| Level 4 | AP Language |
| Uses a thematic syllabus to broaden knowledge of current and global issues as a foundation for interactive communication. | Uses a thematic syllabus to broaden knowledge of current and global issues as a foundation for interactive communication. |
| Includes a grammar review to enhance communication. | Includes a grammar review focusing on advanced grammatical structures to develop a more sophisticated level of expression. |
| The target language is used to provide an immersion style learning environment. | The target language is used to provide an immersion style learning environment. |
| Utilizes a variety of authentic materials (audio, video, print) to develop communication skills in a broad range of advanced themes and to deepen cultural competency. | Utilizes a variety of advanced authentic materials (audio, video, print) to develop communication skills in a broad range of advanced themes and to deepen cultural competency. |
| Develops interpretive communication skills through the reading of short literary works. | Develops interpretive communication skills through the reading of short literary works. Transfers developed interpretive communication skills (reading) to Interpersonal and Presentational communication through thesis development, integration and synthesis of spoken and written speech. |
| Class participation takes place through discussion of authentic resources and research findings, oral presentations, and interactive group activities. | Class participation takes place through discussion of authentic resources and research findings, oral presentations, and interactive group activities. |
| Assessments measure students’ growth in all modes of communication, and rely heavily on authentic, project-based tasks. | Regular practice and assessment in all modes of communication are designed to develop the necessary skills for AP exam success which include advanced listening & reading comprehension, informal and formal oral & written expression. |
| Assigns engaging homework on a weekly basis. Homework averages 1/2 to 1 hour per week. | Assigns regular engaging homework reinforcing skills assessed on the AP exam. Homework averages 75 minutes per week. |