Comparison Chart Level 4 HN & AP Modern Languages
Level 4 vs. AP Language
Level 4
The Level 4 honors course is taught with immersion-style instruction focusing on communicative skills. Students who would like to further their language skills before AP Language will benefit from Level 4 HN. Freshmen and Sophomores that enter TJ with three (3) language credits should enroll in Level 4 HN.
AP Language
The AP Language course has a curriculum tailored by College Board in preparation for the AP Exam in May. It’s an advanced course requiring excellent language skills in speaking, writing, listening, reading, and cultural knowledge.
Comparison Chart
| Level 4 | AP Language |
| Weighted .5 | Weighted .1 |
Uses a thematic curriculum per FCPS Plan of Study 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 per College Board expectations.
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| Reviews grammatical structures from 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 and improve communicative skills in preparation for AP Spanish Language or AP Spanish Literature. | The target language is used to provide an immersion-style learning environment to enhance spontaneous communicative skills and fluency. Free response activities are tailored to the AP Exam. |
| Incorporates a variety of authentic materials to develop communication skills in a wide range of global themes 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 per College Board standards. |
| 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 discussions of authentic resources and research findings, oral presentations, and interactive group activities. | Class participation is essential to practice fluency and spontaneous speaking. Discussions of authentic resources and research findings, oral presentations, and interactive group activities are incorporated. |
| Assessments measure students’ growth in all modes of communication (interpersonal and presentational), 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 30 minutes to 1 hour per week. | Assigns a variety of homework to reinforce skills assessed on the AP exam and to use the language in real-life scenarios. Homework averages 30 minutes to 75 minutes per week. |