AP Spanish Literature is unlike any other language class you will take at Berkeley High School. The class focuses on reading and analysis, making it unique compared to other language classes students may have taken. While AP Spanish Language focuses on grammar and essay writing, AP Spanish Literature devotes most of its time to reading 38 pre-determined texts. Students often must complete many years of Spanish with hard work and determination as it is the hardest Spanish class at BHS. The result: a distinctive opportunity that Spanish-speaking students at BHS must take advantage of.
One of the many benefits of taking AP Spanish Literature is that it is a class that mainly focuses on reading and analytical writing. As a result, it allows one's literary understanding to deepen alongside one's vocabulary. The class allows students to extend their previous knowledge in new ways. “In AP Spanish (Language) you focus on how you present your Spanish skills and your (overall) understanding of the language. AP Spanish Literature deepens that and helps you (apply) the skills you learned in AP Spanish (Language),” said BHS junior Clara Schnoll. Taking a class that reads difficult literary texts and practicing one's ability to discuss their literal and figurative meanings is a great skill to have. AP Spanish Literature teacher Daniel Nube believes the class is especially crucial for developing analytical skills used in college. “Those are skills that are going to help you in college regardless of if you ever take Spanish. Maybe in college, you’ll never take another Spanish class, but those skills of analyzing a difficult piece of text, those will help you for many of your classes in university,” he said.
Due to AP Spanish Literature's rigor, one will have to be well-versed in the Spanish language to enroll. “Nobody makes it into AP Spanish Literature unless they’re super motivated, or unless they really like it. So for the most part, everybody who’s in the class, I know I can count on them to do the homework. I know I can count on them to come with a good attitude,” Nube said. Student's keen interest in Spanish literature, coupled with Nube's passion for the class, create an engaged and motivated learning environment. Nube continued to elaborate on the unique benefits of the class. “When you're reading a story in another language, it's like you’re giving your brain this double gift. Literature (in particular) opens your brain to the world,” he concluded. The unique emphasis on reading allows students to not only explore different text styles and authors but to form cross-cultural connections.
Not everyone believes that AP Spanish Literature is a worthwhile course. Some people consider the class not useful for the outside world as you don’t focus on having conversations or finding the correct responses. However, while AP Spanish does focus overwhelmingly on reading, students do master other skills. To succeed, students must be able to write different types of essays and answer various free-response questions.
Altogether, AP Spanish Literature offers students a distinctive opportunity to study Spanish through the lens of poetry, short stories, and essays. The emphasis on reading, writing, and analysis is unlike any other Spanish class offered at BHS. Students develop analysis skills that will serve them in a diverse set of situations. The motivated and passionate environment allows students to excel. Hence, students who have spent numerous years studying Spanish must take advantage of the AP Spanish Literature course offered at BHS.