How hard is AP Lang?

[Anonymous]

Rising junior needs to pick classes for next year. Not an amazing writer, unenthusiastic reader, though he does reasonably well in English classes. Wondering whether AP Lang would be overwhelming or might actually be a useful learning experience? Don't want to him to overstretch junior year.

[Anonymous]

to me, it always depends on the teacher for every class. Can you find out who teaches it and see? It matters for workload.

[Anonymous]

My daughter has an A but she is a great writer and fast reader. She doesn't love all the books but the individual teacher can pick the books, its not all the same for each class (e.g. just read Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy). Its a ton of work just a heads up- but par for the course for AP.

[Anonymous]

My very average DS did fine in AP lang. Wasn't his favorite course, and I believe he ended up with a C, which was honestly a good surprise.

[Anonymous]

AP Lang is usually more nonfiction reading than fiction. AP Lit is fiction, poetry, drama.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My very average DS did fine in AP lang. Wasn't his favorite course, and I believe he ended up with a C, which was honestly a good surprise.

OP. Yeah, I think if he would be looking at a C, he should steer clear. TY.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:to me, it always depends on the teacher for every class. Can you find out who teaches it and see? It matters for workload.

+1. Best to ask others at your school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:to me, it always depends on the teacher for every class. Can you find out who teaches it and see? It matters for workload.

Unfortunately the school is so large there are probably half a dozen teachers.

[Anonymous]

My daughter found the class pretty easy overall. She didn’t put in as much effort with the assignments, there’s a lot of writing, and ended up with her only B+, but she scored an 5 on the AP exam. She was already a strong writer, and that class helped her refine her skills and learn different essay techniques. She didn’t prioritize the writing too much since she was juggling 6 APs, but it all worked out well for her college applications.

[Anonymous]

It's easy. AP Lit requires a lot more maturity and ability to bullshit your way out of classical text analysis in essay form. AP Lang is just basic rules of English and easier close reading of shorter texts.

[Anonymous]

Depends on the teacher. Lots of little work, few books.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter found the class pretty easy overall. She didn’t put in as much effort with the assignments, there’s a lot of writing, and ended up with her only B+, but she scored an 5 on the AP exam. She was already a strong writer, and that class helped her refine her skills and learn different essay techniques. She didn’t prioritize the writing too much since she was juggling 6 APs, but it all worked out well for her college applications.

Same for my daughter. Took it as a sophomore last year and found it overall easy. Also had 5 other APs and got a 5/A in class. She’s taking AP lit this year and finding it similar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rising junior needs to pick classes for next year. Not an amazing writer, unenthusiastic reader, though he does reasonably well in English classes. Wondering whether AP Lang would be overwhelming or might actually be a useful learning experience? Don't want to him to overstretch junior year.

easy. our school did ap language curriculum in 10th, ap literature in 11th, for the honors kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rising junior needs to pick classes for next year. Not an amazing writer, unenthusiastic reader, though he does reasonably well in English classes. Wondering whether AP Lang would be overwhelming or might actually be a useful learning experience? Don't want to him to overstretch junior year.

easy. our school did ap language curriculum in 10th, ap literature in 11th, for the honors kids.

Good to hear different perspectives. All the classes at his HS are supposedly honors level, though of course the rigor does vary by teacher. I honestly think AP Lang would be good for him and improve his R&W skills for the SAT and of course college, but if it's only going to add stress and drag his GPA, not worth it (or he could give it a go senior year).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:to me, it always depends on the teacher for every class. Can you find out who teaches it and see? It matters for workload.

Unfortunately the school is so large there are probably half a dozen teachers.

11th grade is where the kids split in MCPS. If you choose Honors English 11, his cohort will be lower achieving kids- more distractions and behavior problems in class, fewer motivated students. The curriculum is just fine, and the teachers just as good or bad. But if you are at all on the fence, have him sign up for it - he can always drop down. It’s not a lot of work out of class, weirdly. Lots of times writing in class to prepare you for the exam. See how he likes it! GL.