AP Spanish Language and Culture students in the building have been immersing themselves in real conversations and global perspectives while learning diverse cultures that shape the language.
The class, led by Kathryn Helland (Profe), focuses on understanding culture just as much as mastering the language, allowing students to explore traditions, perspectives, and issues across Spanish-speaking countries.
“I’ve always felt that the most authentic cultural lessons are the ones that truly come alive,” Profe said.
Profe builds lessons around themes like family, identity, and belonging so students can relate personally. She also connects new vocabulary to meaningful experiences, helping students see language as something to live, not memorize.
“The [lessons] that click are the ones that feel real. When students can see a person behind the culture, not just a concept, it becomes meaningful,” Profe said.
Her approach mirrors how AP Spanish courses across Illinois are structured. The AP exam emphasizes communication through listening, speaking, reading, and writing tasks tied to cultural themes, encouraging students to think critically and connect learning to real communities.
“By the time they’ve gotten to AP, they are very used to having culture as a part of the subject,” said Julie Kelly, department chair of world language.
Kelly explained that culture is embedded at every level of Spanish instruction. From the start, students study both grammar and culture side by side, allowing them to see how language reflects the lives and values of Spanish-speaking communities.
“The biggest project so far that stood out to me was our country project, which we had all semester to do. But I was the first to present, so I only had two weeks to do it, but I still think it’s pretty good,” AP Spanish student Luigi Perri said.
Students like Luigi Perri, senior, say projects like these allow them to dive deep into the cultures they study. Perri, who focused on Cuba, said the project taught him not only facts about the country but also how history and culture shape the way people communicate.
“Learning about the culture helps you understand why certain words are used and how to speak to everyone around you,” Perri said.
Many students agree that learning the cultural context behind language makes communication more natural. Understanding the “why” behind expressions or customs gives students confidence in conversations beyond the classroom.
“The biggest challenge [that I’ve faced] was when we had this essay assigned. It was very difficult because I had never written an essay in Spanish before,” said AP Spanish student Adam Tuck. Challenging assignments like this push students to grow, relying on teachers and classmates for support while building confidence in more complex Spanish writing, according to College Board data.
“Learning new grammar and vocab helps a lot, especially because seeing how different cultures use different phrases to get their point across helps a lot,” Tuck said.
