What Do Language Teachers Do After the AP Exam?

After AP testing, world language teachers often face the challenge of keeping students engaged while still making the most of their remaining instructional time. Recently, a few educators in a local thread shared fantastic post-AP strategies and creative projects. Here are some of their ideas:

📰 Create a Language Newspaper

One French teacher has students create a French-language newspaper for the whole school. Each student is responsible for a different section—such as interviews, film reviews, horoscopes, and word games—making it a cross-level publication. The project promotes the language while building real-world skills in layout and collaboration.

🎥 Watch a Film & Present

Another teacher shows The Motorcycle Diaries and then assigns a presentation project where students research and present on a person who inspires them. This allows students to connect global perspectives with personal values.

🎭 Fairy Tale Theater & Film Projects

Some classes dive into classic and creative fairy tales (in the target language) and perform them in small groups. After analyzing and acting out the stories, students write and film their own versions. The final videos often feature impressive editing, special effects, and creative storytelling.

📚 Design a Thematic Magazine

In small groups, students create themed magazines in the target language. Each student writes five pieces, including an editorial, a feature article, and an ad. Additional content like recipes, how-to guides, advice columns, or puzzles is encouraged. Covers must be visually engaging. Final copies are spiral-bound, and the results often become cherished keepsakes and proof of students’ language growth.

🎉 Host a Language & Culture Night

Several teachers host end-of-year language nights with music, traditional food, games, and student presentations. Most of the event is held in the target language, with light scaffolding for non-speakers. It’s a powerful way to involve families and the school community.

🎬 Cine & Culture Units

Some teachers wrap up with a mini-unit on film history, focusing on a specific country or region. Students study well-known directors and analyze films for theme, cultural nuance, and social issues—all in the target language.

🧠 AI Pen Pals or Voice Journals

Using tools like ChatGPT or TalkPal, students can practice conversational writing or speaking with an AI partner trained to respond in the target language. Teachers can prompt students to ask questions, reflect on daily events, or role-play scenarios like travel or job interviews. It’s a low-pressure way to build fluency and confidence.

💡 AI Feedback & Revisions

Students submit a piece of writing (story, article, reflection) and receive guided feedback using AI tools like Quillbot, Scribbr, or AI-enabled rubrics in platforms like Google Docs. Teachers can then guide students through a revision cycle, comparing their first and final drafts to demonstrate language growth.

🎨 Design a Children’s Book or Comic

Mixed-level classes can write and illustrate children’s books or digital comics using platforms like StoryboardThat or Pixton, targeting younger learners or even local elementary students. Books can be shared during visits or reading days.

📱 Create Social Media Campaigns

Students design a social media campaign (in the target language) around a theme such as sustainability, mental health, or cultural appreciation. They create sample posts, stories, and videos for platforms like Instagram or TikTok—no actual posting required. The project blends real-world language use with creativity and advocacy.

📦 Culture-in-a-Box Presentations

A more tactile option: students create a “Culture Box” filled with symbolic items, real or printed, representing aspects of a target-language country or community (music, holidays, food, pop culture). They present the box and explain each item in the target language.

Need more inspiration? Check out this blog post with additional ideas for what to teach after the AP Spanish exam:

👉 Best PowerPoints for Spanish Class – Post-AP Ideas

Have your own ideas or student favorites? Email us and we’ll share them in a future edition of The Polyglot!

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The Temecula Valley Unified School District is proud to highlight 14-year-old student-athlete Jayden Figueroa, who recently played a key role in helping the Puerto Rico U-17 Men’s National Volleyball Team win the NORCECA Continental Championship in Nicaragua from Ms. Monteros-García's Spanish class. Despite having only one year of experience in volleyball, Jayden made an immediate impact on the international stage, including a standout performance in his debut match and earning All-Tournament Team honors.

Alongside his athletic success, Jayden continues to excel academically in the United States, embodying the true spirit of a scholar-athlete. His journey reflects dedication, discipline, and the importance of balancing academic achievement with personal passion.

Jayden’s story is an inspiring reminder of how hard work, strong mentorship, and commitment can lead to extraordinary accomplishments both in and out of the classroom. ¡Buen trabajo, Jayden!