Speak a Second Language? You're a Step Ahead for AP

If you're a native speaker of a second language, or are exposed to one at home, taking an AP world language and culture course can help enhance your language skills and deepen your understanding of your cultural heritage. And like all AP courses, you’ll have the opportunity to earn credit, advanced placement, or both from colleges and universities that participate in the AP Program. AP world language and culture courses are available in these seven languages: Spanish, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Latin.

Read on to learn five ways you’ll benefit by taking AP world language and culture courses.

"AP Spanish Language and Culture was probably the easiest AP course to start with. That might be because I had a great advantage with Spanish being the first language that I learned as a child."—Zuhey, AP student 

Five Ways You’ll Benefit

1. Earn credit or advanced placement.

By speaking a second language, or being exposed to one at home, you already have a solid foundation that can help you be successful in the related AP language course and exam, putting you a step ahead for earning credit or advanced placement.

By earning credit or advanced placement through AP, you’ll have the chance to save time and money in college. You may be able to skip introductory college classes giving you the flexibility to graduate early, change majors, pursue a second degree, or further develop your language skills by studying abroad. Learn more ways you’ll benefit.

2. Build your foreign language skills.

Enhance skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking in your target language by holding real-life conversations, as well as writing stories, letters, emails, and essays. You’ll also study actual authentic materials in the language such as newspaper articles, films, music, and literature.

"AP Spanish Language and Culture wasn’t an overly difficult class for someone who’s a native Spanish speaker. It was also a very interesting and insightful course because I learned a lot about different Hispanic cultures and I got to improve my Spanish."—Israel, AP student

3. Expand your career opportunities.

Employers are increasingly seeking employees who are fluent in a second language. Knowing how to read, write, and speak in a foreign language can put you at a considerable advantage when exploring job opportunities across a wide range of fields such as education, business, law, and healthcare. Explore a list of careers and majors connected with AP world language and culture courses: Spanish, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Latin.

4. Be more successful in high school.

By taking an AP world language and culture course, you're likely to do better in your other high school classes and may even earn a GPA boost.

"I took AP Spanish Language and Culture because I just wanted to genuinely develop a skill that I’ll use. It's helped me in all my other classes by pushing me and making me think in ways I never would have before I took the class."—Cameron, AP student

5. Do better in college.

Completing an AP world language and culture course and exam may help you be more successful in college. For example, research shows that Hispanic students who take an AP Spanish Language and Culture Exam are more likely to enroll in college and earn a college degree than those who don’t take any AP Exams. Taking any AP course can help you improve your first-year college GPA and likelihood of graduating college on time. You’ll also stand out in the college application process.

Consider enrolling in an AP world language and culture course, whether you’re a native or non-native speaker of a foreign language. Talk to your counselor to learn if your school offers these courses and how to enroll.