AP German Language and Culture

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About the Course

Do you want to improve your German language skills? In AP German Language and Culture, you’ll practice your communication skills in real-life situations as well as read and analyze German literature. You’ll explore German civilization and technology, current events and politics, music and art, and learn how to express your ideas and opinions in German.

Skills You'll Learn

Understanding German when you hear it and read it
Holding conversations in real-life situations
Writing stories, letters, emails, essays, and other texts

Equivalency and Prerequisites

College Course Equivalent

An intermediate level (typically third- or fourth-semester) college course in German language

Recommended Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites, but students are typically in their fourth year of high-school-level study. In the case of native or heritage speakers, there may be a different pathway of study leading to this course.

Exam Date

Wed, May 14, 2025

8 AM Local

AP German Language and Culture Exam

This is the regularly scheduled date for the AP German Language and Culture Exam.

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About the Units

The course content outlined below is organized into commonly taught units of study that provide one possible sequence for the course. Your teacher may choose to organize the course content differently based on local priorities and preferences.

Course Content

Unit 1: Families in Different Societies

You’ll learn German language skills in the context of studying family life and values in German-speaking societies and explore contemporary beliefs and challenges that families face.

Skills you will practice may include:

Interpreting promotional materials
Understanding the elements of a formal letter
Describing data from a table, chart, graph, map, or infographic
Interpreting the context of a conversation and participating in it
Crafting an email reply
Giving a presentation on the nature of family and society

Unit 2: The Influence of Language and Culture on Identity

You'll build your vocabulary and learn about how language and culture shape and reflect evolving ideas about identity in German-speaking societies.

Skills you will practice may include:

Identifying the main idea and summarizing poetry and literary texts
Interpreting audio recordings and movies
Comprehending articles and charts
Drawing connections between texts and their larger cultural context
Justifying ideas and opinions in writing
Giving a presentation comparing German cultural concepts to familiar ones

Unit 3: Influences of Beauty and Art

You'll explore how ideas of beauty and art influence and reflect culture in German-speaking communities.

Skills you will practice may include:

Analyzing articles and advertisements about health and beauty
Interpreting fables and children’s stories
Understanding what is included in the format of typical letters and interpreting their meaning
Practicing conversational skills
Analyzing cartoons and infographics
Replying to emails
Giving a presentation on beauty and German-speaking culture

Unit 4: How Science and Technology Affect Our Lives

You'll examine how developments in science and technology affect daily life in German-speaking communities and use your growing language skills to help you interpret unfamiliar words and engage in more complicated texts.

Skills you will practice may include:

Interpreting charts, tables, and infographics in context
Reading articles about technological trends
Understanding interviews
Following verbal instructions
Comprehending oral presentations
Writing essays and citing sources
Giving a presentation on the impacts of scientific and technological developments

Unit 5: Factors That Impact the Quality of Life

You'll learn more about contemporary life in German-Speaking communities and how social status, cultural perspectives, and access to jobs and resources can make an impact on the quality of life.

Skills you will practice may include:

Connecting literary texts to larger cultural topics
Interpreting charts and articles
Identifying perspective, tone, and attitude in a podcast
Interpreting audio and video recordings
Understanding instructions
Crafting an email reply using idioms and expressions
Participating in conversations
Giving a presentation comparing cultures and quality of life

Unit 6: Environmental, Political, and Societal Challenges

You'll explore how complex global issues affect people’s lives in German-speaking communities and engage in deeper discussions to suggest possible solutions.

Course Resources

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Download

AP German Language and Culture Course and Exam Description

This is the core document for the course. It clearly lays out the course content and describes the exam and AP Program in general.

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Become a Global Citizen with AP World Language and Culture Courses

Learn how AP world language and culture courses can broaden your perspective and help you communicate with people from diverse backgrounds.

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

Learn more about how an AP world language and culture course can help enhance your language skills and deepen your understanding of your cultural heritage.

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Additional Information