AP Spanish HELP/TIPS Thread

tomjonesistheman · February 15, 2009, 7:26pm

It seems to me that the AP Spanish Exam is extremely hard for non-native speakers. Thus, I want to create a thread to help us ace the exam. (I personally am aiming for a 4) What are some practical ways I can practice for this exam? (listening, speaking, reading, writing) What is everyone doing in their classes to prepare? I am currently practicing in class by using Triangulo and Diaz, as these books are the most helpful. However, I feel that I am not improving enough to develop more advanced skills in listening and speaking. (I just can’t think of the vocab. words and grammar as I speak, so it becomes difficult to speak fast and clearly. also I run out of ideas after awhile. I also have the Barron’s book at home. I have some helpful websites:

[Free</a> Foreign Language Lessons (Download to MP3 Player, iPod or Computer) | Open Culture](<a href=“http://www.oculture.com/2006/10/foreign_languag.html]Free”>http://www.oculture.com/2006/10/foreign_languag.html)
[Spanish</a> Audio Gazette - a CHASS resource center publication](<a href=“http://lab.chass.utoronto.ca/rescentre/spanish/]Spanish”>http://lab.chass.utoronto.ca/rescentre/spanish/)
[Learn</a> Spanish Free Online Lessons - Spanish Language Schools](<a href=“http://www.123teachme.com/]Learn”>http://www.123teachme.com/)
[Best</a> Spanish Web Sites](<a href=“http://www.uni.edu/becker/Spanish3.html]Best”>http://www.uni.edu/becker/Spanish3.html)
[url=<a href=“http://www.rockwood.k12.mo.us/rsummit/spanish/sp5apvocabgrammar.htm]AP”>http://www.rockwood.k12.mo.us/rsummit/spanish/sp5apvocabgrammar.htm]AP</a> Espa

tjan91 · February 15, 2009, 7:36pm

Well, my AP Spanish class used Triangulo in class as well. This seemed to work, as I recieved a 5 on the exam (I’m asian, non-native). As for listening and speaking, these are developed through practice, practice, practice. Watch telemundo if you are relaxing in front of the tube. Practice speaking spanish to your dog, your pillow, anything really.
On the actual exam, as long as you can speak continuously for a couple minutes you’ll be fine. It doesnt need to be most coherent or eloquent speech you’ve ever given, but make sure that you just keep talking during the exam. 
As for the listening portion of the exam, I thought that it was impossible. But practice, and I’m sure that you can do well. 
In class, make sure that you study new vocab words and grammer. Especially grammer, because you need to be really comfortable with the it if you want to be able to speak comfortably.
Best of luck to you. You can definitely score a 4 or even a 5 if you work at it.

hopeful_gtb · March 3, 2009, 4:40pm

thanks so much for the Utoronto site…it’s the best site to help with listening

i have a question…when i speak in spanish, i tend to fumble and stutter a lot…do they look at the stuttering and say i’m less fluent, or just my words?

tomjones: i got a digital recorder and i made up little speaking excercises so that i could learn how to converse in spanish, and so that i can improve my reading. it actually really helps. my teacher even noticed that i’m getting a little bit better.

i also had another concern (if the OP/anyone might know strategies), what’s the best way to improve comprehension. taking notes while reading? does that leave ample time to answer questions?

absent · March 3, 2009, 5:13pm

Awesome site for Spanish listening comprehension:

[Radio</a> ONU:](<a href=“http://www.unmultimedia.org/radio/spanish/]Radio”>http://www.unmultimedia.org/radio/spanish/)

The Collegeboard actually uses recordings and articles from that site in the test, so I’d suggest going there to practice. Tons of free recordings and articles.

There are also some good resources on the Collegeboard site itself:

[AP</a> Central - AP Spanish Language Course Home Page](<a href=“Supporting Students from Day One to Exam Day – AP Central | College Board”>AP Spanish Language and Culture Course – AP Central | College Board)

For instance, the “Building Reading Comprehension” .pdf there contains the reading comprehension questions from the 2003 exam and their answers explained.

As for speaking, to me what seems to be the best strategy is to simply take it easy. You don’t have to speak at native pace by any means to do well on the speaking portions of the exam. For example, this sample response (<a href=“Supporting Students from Day One to Exam Day – AP Central | College Board”>Supporting Students from Day One to Exam Day – AP Central | College Board) got a 5, and the student certainly didn’t speak very quickly. She stayed calm and was accurate, which is what they’re looking for.

I’ve also been using the following books/websites in class and on my own, most which are pretty helpful:

[Amazon.com:</a> Abriendo Paso: Lectura (Spanish Edition): Jose M. Diaz, Stephen J. Collins: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0838417744/]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0838417744/)
[Abriendo</a> Paso Gramatica by Jose M Diaz (Used, New, Out-of-Print) - Alibris](<a href=“http://www.alibris.com/search/books/qwork/83700/used/Abriendo%20Paso%20Gramatica]Abriendo”>http://www.alibris.com/search/books/qwork/83700/used/Abriendo%20Paso%20Gramatica)

We’re using both of those textbooks in class, and you can buy em’ for about two bucks a piece online for old used copies. Pretty nice.

[Amazon.com:</a> The Big Red Book of Spanish Vocabulary (Big Red Book Of…): Scott Thomas: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Big-Red-Book-Spanish-Vocabulary/dp/0071447253]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Big-Red-Book-Spanish-Vocabulary/dp/0071447253)

This book has a “Word Frequency Table” of the 5000 most common Spanish words, with example sentences for the first 1000 words. Good to study from. If you don’t feel like paying for stuff, Wiktionary has something similar: [Wiktionary:Frequency</a> lists - Wiktionary](<a href=“Wiktionary:Frequency lists - Wiktionary, the free dictionary”>Wiktionary:Frequency lists - Wiktionary, the free dictionary)

[Learn</a> Spanish - SpanishPod](<a href=“http://spanishpod.com/]Learn”>http://spanishpod.com/)

Last resource I’m using. Has good recordings that contain example dialogues and reviews of different grammar points, plus review activities. Not free, but you can make a free trial account for seven days (no credit card number stuff required to do so either).

AP Spanish HELP/TIPS Thread

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