Welcome! 👋 This guide will provide you an overview of the best textbooks and prep books for the AP Spanish Language and Culture exam so that you can choose how best to study whether you are self-studying or just looking for some extra help before the AP exam.

As with all of the other AP language courses, there is a bit of a problem if you are looking for a one-stop AP approved textbook. As described on the 

, the College Board does not offer a list of textbooks approved for the Spanish Language exam because they want the exam to focus on building your language proficiency.

If this worries you, there is an alternative solution. On that same course audit page, there is an 

 for the course that is designed to help new teachers learn how to teach the course. Still, it could prove to be a valuable resource for self-studying, as it provides a framework and sample activities for you to do, as well as links to helpful resources. Obviously, since it is designed for teachers, it won't be 100% useful, but it could provide a useful framework that textbooks typically provide.

Also, in general, if you are in a class, you shouldn't need to get another textbook, and prep books are probably better for your needs, so definitely keep reading to get our advice on those. If you are self-studying, a textbook probably wouldn't be the best choice either, as those frequently only work well with a supplemental teacher.

Unlike textbooks, there are some fantastic prep books that align with the AP exam curriculum, each with its own pros and cons, so decide which one is the best for you!

At only $9.69 new, this book is quite a bargain, especially as it includes two practice tests, with actual audio material. However, students sometimes find Barron's books a little wordy, so take that into account. However, this book contains comprehensive explanations of all of the different types of questions.

In addition to helpful explanations for sample problems and exams, there is also a section containing a brief introduction to all of the cultural information that you will need to know to succeed on the exam. If only two practice tests aren't enough for you, consider the 

, which includes three extra online practice exams for less than $2.00 more, which is quite a good deal.

These are somewhat pricey, at over $17.00 new, but if you are the kind of person who likes physical flashcards, these are definitely the ones for you. However, free quizlet sets can achieve the same purpose (check out our Best Quizlets guide for more on that), so only purchase these if you see significant value-added with them.

Princeton Review AP Spanish Language & Culture:

Princeton Review's book is nearly double the price of the Barron's book, at $20.49, but it still includes the same number of practice tests as the Barron's. So, what makes it more expensive? For starters, it is more comprehensive and includes a grammar review that you might find helpful. It also includes access to some of Princeton Review's online materials if you believe that that sort of thing might be of use to you.

However, some consider the Princeton Review to be overpriced and also a bit wordy, so it is something to think out when considering this option. Don't let it discourage you — some have found it to be a very valuable resource.

5 Steps to a 5: AP Spanish Language and Culture:

Many consider the 5 Steps to a 5 to be the most helpful and concise prep book for AP exams, but this book, at $26.00, is the most expensive of any of the prep books mentioned. It includes the same number of practice exams as all of the prior options, so this may not be the best option for you. However, it contains supplemental audio material on a CD that is more than just simple exam questions: there are exercises designed to improve understanding audio sources, as well as practice your speaking, two of the more challenging portions of the AP Spanish Language exam to master.

We hope this guide has provided you with some information to help you make the right choice about which book will be best for you. Don't worry, though, you really can't go wrong! By studying hard and using resources, you're bound to get a 5!

Best AP Spanish Language Textbooks and Prep Books

¡Hola! 👋 If you are wondering how to get a 5 in AP Spanish Language, then you've come to the right place! This article will outline five 5️⃣ tips and tricks that will get you well on your way to earning that 5 in AP Spanish Language and Culture.

Be Prepared for All Parts of The Exam 🗣️

The AP Spanish exam tests you on all four main components of communication in a language: speaking, listening, reading, and writing, so, in order to do your best on the AP Spanish language exam, you should be proficient in all of these areas. The exam specifically includes:

So, given how each skill is worth about a quarter of the overall exam score, proficiency in each skill is the best strategy for success. Next, we'll give the one key tip that you can use to be successful in each of the different components of the exam.

If you've studied for and taken the reading section of a standardized test such as the SAT or ACT, you actually might be pretty well prepared for the reading section of the AP Spanish Exam. Common types of questions asked in this section are reading comprehension, author's purpose, the meaning of a phrase in context, interpreting graphics, and making larger conclusions and connections. 

These are common question types on achievement tests, and the purpose of the multiple-choice is to gauge your proficiency within the Spanish language. However, the questions will be comparatively simpler than the equivalent English reading question, as understanding the question itself is a big component of this portion. Make sure you are familiar with common words used in the question stems, such as 

Familiarize yourself with common strategies for multiple-choice reading strategies, such as skimming questions before reading the stimulus, looking at headings, answering questions in the best order, or not selecting an answer just because you read it in the passage.

For many, the listening portions are the most daunting part of the exam: there is no material to refer back to once the track is played, you have to listen to actual sources, and things can get jumbled around in your brain. Here are a few tips to feel much more comfortable on the listening sections:

Take notes when you listen. Scribble down key words and phrases — having a list of things to look at can help jog your memory.

For the MCQ listening, pre-read the questions. It also helps to know what you are listening for, because it will be much easier to pick out words and phrases in the dialogue. In addition, know which questions you actually have to listen for, and which you can infer from the source information or, if it is a comparison of print and audio, from the other source.

Read the source for the audio before you start. Know if it's an interview, a documentary, or something else, as well as the names of the voices so that you can target your listening appropriately.

Don't get freaked out by different accents! These audio selections feature a variety of accents, so practice by listening to a bunch of different Spanish accents. That way, you will be comfortable with multiple varieties and paces of Spanish, so you aren't thrown off by people from Spain pronouncing 

 or Argentinians and Chileans pronouncing 

. Reading the questions can help with this, so you can match words to what you hear if the speaker has a strange accent or is speaking more quickly than you are used to hearing.

Use Your English Writing Skills In Spanish 📝

are frequently tricky because they will likely be your first exposure to timed, academic writing in Spanish. However, especially in the case of the email, if you follow some key pointers, you will likely quickly master the format.

Here are what you need to include to get a top score on the email response (adapted from the College Board's scoring guidelines in the CED):

responds to all questions asked with elaboration, and asks a further question (don't forget about this part)

varied vocabulary and idioms (⚠️ don't just use 

accurate and varied grammar (can you throw a little subjunctive in there?)

formal greetings and conclusion (memorize one of each!) and appropriate formal address (i.e. ensure you're using 

Here are what you need to include to get a top score on the essay (adapted from the College Board's scoring guidelines):

The speaking portion can be very scary, especially if you aren't a native or immersed speaker, but the most important thing to do is relax, and don't get out of sorts if one of your responses doesn't go to plan. On the conversation, if you stumble over your words, correct it, and then carry on. Make sure to follow the directions and answer the questions, and speak confidently, but not too quickly or slowly. On the cultural comparison, utilize the planning time to its fullest, and make a quick outline with all of the points you want to discuss, as well as any vocab you want to make sure you remember when you start talking.

Hopefully, this guide has proved helpful, and you will be able to study well and knock that exam out of the park!

How to Get a 5 in AP Spanish Language

You're probably having doubts about self-studying the AP Spanish Language course because you don't know how difficult it is and if it's even worth taking. Hopefully, this guide will provide you with all of the information necessary to make your decision.

If you are looking for more information about the exam, the 

 is a great place to start. It contains an overview of the course, including the themes and skills you should know to meet all of the requirements for a good score on the exam.

Here is a brief overview of the sections of the AP Spanish Language and Culture exam:

As you can see, some parts, such as the speaking portions, are worth more on the exam, so you might want to pay extra special attention to those.

However, even though the multiple-choice is worth half of your exam score, you can master this section by following a few tips—check out our AP Spanish Multiple Choice guide for more info on that <<TK>>.

One of the best ways to stay on track while self-studying an AP course is to create a schedule. In terms of Spanish, the best way to create a schedule is to split your course material into chunks, then divide the time you have until you would like to be ready for the exam by the number of chunks you have.

 Traditional learning doesn't really work for you? Don't worry — you can learn AP Spanish in many different ways! 

Because you are self-studying, you get the advantage of learning however you want. Here are some possible ways that you could self-study Spanish:

 Don't be afraid to try a bunch of these out, especially if they are free, to see what works best for you. Because you don't have to worry about grades or your GPA, do what truly makes you learn best!

Broadly speaking, taking the test will fall into one of two categories: either your school offers the exam or it doesn't. If your school offers the exam, speak with your counselor, and see how you can register for the exam without being in the class.

If you cannot take the AP Spanish exam at your school, contact nearby schools and contact them to see if you can the exam there.

Don't worry if it seems overwhelming at first! Just take the class one step at a time, and you will soon be on a road to success! You got this 🎉

AP Spanish Language Self-Study and Homeschool

 about taking AP Spanish Language? This guide will help you decide if it is right for you! 

You're probably thinking about taking AP Spanish Language and Culture, but have some reservations because you're not sure about what exactly it will entail. Don't worry! This guide will hopefully help provide you with some of the information that will help you decide whether AP Spanish Language and Culture is the right fit for you!

AP Spanish Language and Culture focuses primarily on developing your ability to communicate with others in Spanish, meaning that grammar is less of a focus.

Generally, AP Spanish is the fourth or fifth level of Spanish at a high school, which means you will have covered most grammatical elements. Most of the language learning will also focus on communication—developing writing and rhetorical skills, advanced sentence structure, and increased reading and speaking ability.

If you are a native or immersion speaker, you will have a head start with the language, but you might still have to learn a considerable amount about the exam components. If you are a native speaker who has experience with a particular culture, then you are set for cultural comparisons and other similar tasks.

 Don't worry if you're not a native speaker or don't consider yourself fluent! The AP Spanish Language exam is designed to be conquerable by anyone who has a command of the language, regardless of background

Data Courtesy of College Board Website and @AP_Trevor on Twitter

As you can see from the score chart, over 90% of students who take this exam pass, and over a quarter achieve a 5. This is definitely a doable exam, even if an exam in a second language seems daunting.

In general, AP Spanish Language courses have two components to classwork: developing exam skills and learning about the culture. This is probably similar, to some extent, to what you may have experienced in previous Spanish language courses, with grammar and culture components. However, the grammar work may now be more focused, as mentioned earlier, on developing skills useful for the various written and spoken portions of the exam.

In addition to developing rhetorical skills, learning about various cultural themes is critical to the course; the College Board outlines six units about the context of Spanish-speaking cultures, as those will be the focuses of the exam questions and prompts.

This translates, generally, to a hefty amount of in classwork. With all AP courses and especially language courses, the work largely depends on the teacher and school, so be sure to ask around to see what the workload is like!

Similar AP Courses/Helpful Knowledge 💬

Other courses that work well with AP Spanish Language are its companion course, AP Spanish Literature, which is much more advanced.

Other than that, no other AP courses synergize particularly well with AP Spanish Language. However, if you are at all familiar with any other so-called Romance languages, such as French, Portuguese, Italian, or even Latin, you will likely have some of the foundations necessary to do well in this course.

Is AP Spanish Language Worth It? 👩‍⚖️

In short, there are a few reasons why this course could be worth it for you:

We hope this guide has helped answer your question, and that you can make the best decision for you about whether to take AP Spanish Language. You got this 🎉

Is AP Spanish Language Hard? Is AP Spanish Language Worth Taking?

This unit guide will explore how beauty and art🎨 influences quality of life and values in Spanish-speaking communities.

Long before the internet, before computers🖥️, before the printing press📰, before written language, there has been art🎨. The mediums may change, but the core concept remains. Art records history, life, and love of the time in which it was created.

One of the earliest sets of prehistoric art recovered in recent history was the cave paintings found in the Altamira cave system in northern España🇪🇸. The paintings depict daily life and what was valued to the people of the time. There are very clear bison and other large animals hunted by prehistoric humans and handprints. The artist used minute detail, realistic colors, and took advantage of the natural rock formations to add to the dimensionality of the subjects.

Aztec art stretches from large stone statues to small pieces of pottery. They utilized items in their surroundings like feathers, precious gemstones 💎, and metals such as silver and gold. The largest source of inspiration for Aztec art seems to come from its complex polytheistic religious system. We now know many of the stone statues were used in religious rituals because of the remnants of blood and precious gemstones💎. 

The stone statues carved by Aztec artisans were huge and strong enough to endure time better than the pottery, featherwork, and intricate metalwork. Pottery cracked and crumbled, feathers flew away or rotted, and metalwork was either traded or melted to become coins💰. Some smaller artistic items discovered or preserved from the Aztec Empire show inspiration from nature and geometric shapes.

Why are paintings 🖼️ of war scenes important in the preservation of history? Well, consider this: how else would we remember what happened? Remember, before the internet 🖥️, before photography 📸, before the printing press 📰, there was paint 🎨. Paintings transcend language and can communicate more information in an instant than what can be written or spoken. As societies grow and move and struggle, art is there to help survivors or future generations understand what happened during the struggle. 

For example, the image below is of the painting "3 de mayo, 1808" by Francisco Goya. It was painted to commemorate a specific military encounter on that date between the French 🇫🇷 and Spanish 🇪🇸. It depicts French soldiers (on the right), under the control of Napoleon Bonaparte, rounding up and executing Spaniards (on the left) in the predawn darkness because the Spanish had committed an uprising the day before.

Paintings of rulers were normal in the time period before photography 📸. The purpose behind painting the royal families over and over was twofold. First, each portrait would show the members of the family at varying ages and stages of life. Second, each portrait was expensive, so owning and displaying an extensive list of portraits was a status symbol to show other royals the level of wealth and power of the family in case of current or future marriage negotiations. The unfortunate side of royal portraiture was the uncertainty of realistic representation. 

Some families committed inter-family marriage and therefore inbreeding occurred. This inbreeding caused some royals, like Carlos II "

", to have physical deformities, but the family commissioned portraits that made his jaw look less deformed than it actually was. A few notable painters gained fame by starting as a royal court painter such as Diego Velázquez and Francisco de Goya. Below is "La familia de Carlos IV"  by Francisco de Goya. 

The invention of photography📸 transformed visual communication and the ability to record historical events accurately. Upon its invention and development, societies no longer had to wait days or weeks for an image to be completed. There was no longer subjectivity from the perspective 👓 of the artist. Photographs capture monumental moments in an instant. Early on in its history, photography was used to document historical events and serve the needs of the media 📰. Photography has been used as evidence of both the victories and the atrocities of war.

How Art Records History

When societies feel safe and their basic needs are met, art🎨 springs forth into creation. In this section, we will look at how communities value art and some examples of places where art is most highly valued.

Across the world🌎, artists will find big open spaces and beautify them. In Central America, street art is booming. Some items stem from an artistic desire to cover up plain buildings created out of lower-grade materials. Others began as vandalism to make a statement against "the man". Others were decorated by the necessity for advertising or political propaganda. 

Finally, other murals were created to display the past or present struggles Hispanic communities face. Communities show that they value street art by permitting its existence through contracting street artists for permitted work and by minimizing legislation against street artists.

The enigmatic street artist Banksy isn't Hispanic, but has garnered international fame for his street art. One piece attributed to Banksy is depicted below.

Museums began as personal collections of art by the wealthy elite in order to show off the rich purchases they had accumulated. Slowly over time art owners opened their collections to wider and wider audiences. Public institutions began during the Age of Enlightenment💡 in the 17th and 18th centuries. Now, public museums can be found all across the world; some are even digitizing their collections for those who cannot travel✈️ to see the works of art in person. Below are a few examples of notable museums in the Spanish-speaking world.

Museo Nacional del Prado in Madrid, España🇪🇸 opened to the public on November 19th, 1819. The building's first purpose was to hold the National History Cabinet but was transformed into the Royal Museum of Painting🎨 and Sculpture. Throughout history, it changed names a few more times until today where many people simply refer to it as El Prado. 

This museum has a large collection of works by Bosch, Titian, El Greco, Rubens, Velázquez, and Goya. Collections inside include paintings about saints, the New Testament, royal portraits, secular portraits, trades and professions, the Virgin Mary, mythology, the Old Testament, and social realism/everyday life.

Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes in Buenos Aires, Argentina🇦🇷 holds both international masterpieces and a collection of Argentinian art🎨. This museum opened on December 25th, 1895 in a different building and moved to the location pictured below in 1909. The museum's permanent collection has around 688 major works of art and over 12,000 sketches✏️, fragments, potteries🥣, and other minor works of art🎨

La Alhambra de Granada, España🇪🇸 is primarily an 

, a fortress, on a hilltop at the edge of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. It was built by the Moors during their 800-year occupation of southern Spain. The fortress includes multiple ornately decorated buildings and gardens within the protective walls. The architecture itself is an artistic feat by including 

 style which is a mixture of Christian✝️ and Islamic☪️ art applied to structures. Even through multiple occupations and transformations, this historical site has been deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Site and is protected by the United Nations from destruction because of its extraordinary importance to humanity.

How Communities Value Art

Art has long been used to challenge the mind🧠🤔 of the viewer. It can make you feel empathy and step into the shoes of another. It can teach you something you had never seen or experienced before. It can open you up to a whole new perspective👓.

Propaganda has long been used during wartime to communicate messages with a focus on including artistic flare. For many, the term propaganda has a very negative connotation because some of the primary users of propaganda did so to communicate very controlling, negative messages. 

Francisco Franco, dictator of Spain🇪🇸 from 1936-1975, had propaganda distributed during his regime. Below are two examples from Spain during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). The first was recruitment for international communist volunteers to support the communist war efforts. The second has Franco depicted in the lower right corner wearing his military uniform and a fur overcoat and a crest in the lower-left corner stating "

These examples use symbolic imagery and color to convey specific messages to the public in order to enforce certain ideals and cause some to conform their personal perspective to that of the ruling force.

Fidel Castro, Prime Minister (1959-1976) and then President (1976-2008) of Cuba🇨🇺, was also known for his extensive use of propaganda as a control tactic during his communist reign. Billboards and graffiti were displayed throughout Cuba🇨🇺, promoting Castro's ideology. He was an anti-capitalist and a major player in the Cold War.

The two examples below come from Cuba. The first, a billboard, shows Castro on the left and famed revolutionary leader Ernest 'Che' Guevara with a quote "

Vale, pero millones de veces más, la vida de un solo ser humano que todas las propiedades del hombre más rico de la tierra

" above various examples of Cubans in the workforce. The second image is another billboard, a common type of contemporary propaganda, denouncing the blockade🚫 the United States🇺🇸 imposed on Cuban trade by using a visual representation of the iconic Uncle Sam symbol being punched by a fist labeled "Cuba" and the word "

Music🎵 is a dominating artistic force in challenging the perspective of the public. Some singers🎤 are passionate about saving the planet🌎 while others have a strong distaste for certain political parties or leaders. Since the 1980s, the addition of music videos to the artistic process has allowed artists to show some of their thoughts in a visual format along with the audio.

Below is the music video for Selva Negra from the Mexican🇲🇽 rock group Maná. The lyrics of the song are environmentalist in nature. Through the lyrics, they push listeners to consider saving the rainforest. A year after this song was released, a non-profit organization of the same name was created with the goal of natural preservation and conservation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uklKoF1PyHM

 by Calle 13 at first glance looks like a commemorative anthem celebrating Latin American culture, but in digging deeper you will find anti-government sentiments.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkFJE8ZdeG8

 pushes listeners to consider the future of the Earth for the sake of the children. If the Earth🌎 isn't cared for now, where will they play?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rFRVwOV-hs

Installation and performance art has grown in popularity recently by groups who have experienced oppression of some form. By creating large, in-your-face pieces of art, the artist is able to challenge the perspective of many onlookers at once and use it as part of the fight for reform.

Mexican artist Elina Chauvet created an installation art piece titled "

" where she places pairs of blood-red shoes👠👠 in a public square. The original piece included 33 pairs of shoes and as the installation travels city to city it now has more than 500 pairs of shoes.

The following mural by Yreina Cervántez is located in Los Angeles, California. It was created to commemorate the Chicano civil rights movement during the 1960s and 1970s.

In Chile🇨🇱, women have taken to the streets in protest and chant while performing a song against sexual violation of women♀️. Their performances have ignited replications of the performance across the globe🌎.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bgmq3BpKNvc

Art as a Challenger of Perspective

What type of woman or man do you consider exotic? Every day, we are bombarded with messages, both overt and subtle, about beauty ideals. These messages influence us daily on what to buy and what to do to reach our own version of ideal beauty. The same thing goes for aesthetics—the philosophical outlook on good taste and appreciation of beauty.

Historically, Latin media representation has generally tended to be Eurocentric due to the long history of colonization dominating the local cultures. Oppression was a driving force of controlling people of color and indigenous populations which invaded the beauty industry just like other social and political spheres. The whitewashing of beauty ads and art was common because the ruling class who could afford to create the artistic items wanted items that reflected their own look. 

Whitewashing reached as high as the rulers in some countries. Rafael Trujillo, the former dictator of La República Dominicana🇩🇴 created an elaborate plan to cleanse dark-skinned people from the country in order to "lighten" the population and make space for refugees from the Holocaust and the Spanish Civil War🇪🇸.

As history progressed, a new aspect of traditional Latin beauty standards emerged in regards to body size and shape; Latina women were supposed to be curvaceous, tan-skinned, and have dark hair. A new sexualized, exotic ideal became desirable. Actresses like Jennifer Lopez, Sofía Vergara, and Eva Mendes epitomized the definition of Latina beauty.

The following video shows a progression of western feminine beauty standards over the last century.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4SqeNG_QAw

There is a strong focus on beauty in the Latin community. As globalization increases, US media📰 representation and beauty standards influence Latin standards and Latina women have felt pressured to either conform to US standards or over emphasize the Latina stereotype. 

As a result of a strong focus on beauty, there is a high occurrence of plastic surgery. Many women receive liposuction, breast augmentation, and botox💉 to change their bodies to fit the standard they most desire. Sometimes, that desire stretches to competing in beauty competitions. According to Popsugar.com, "Three of the four countries that have the most winners in the main beauty pageants like Miss World, Miss Earth, and Miss Universe are from Latin America: Venezuela🇻🇪, Puerto Rico🇵🇷, and Brazil🇧🇷."

The following video shows recent beauty standards in different countries around the world.

As mentioned previously, aesthetics is the philosophical outlook on good taste and appreciation of beauty. People are not the only things that can be beautiful. Have you ever sat outside and looked at the sun set🌅 or rise and loved what you saw? You are appreciating the aesthetic of what you were seeing.

Nature🌳🍁 is a large source of appreciation for aesthetics. Many paintings are based on landscapes or floral arrangements to further appreciate nature. Below is El Greco's 

This painting was painted🎨 between 1596 and 1600 and shows geographically accurate locations of buildings in the town of Toledo, España🇪🇸 along with the lush green countryside outside of town.

Architecture is another place where aesthetics can be appreciated. Buildings🏛️⛪🏢 can be considered beautiful too. Throughout history, cathedrals⛪ and churches⛪ housed irreplaceable pieces of art within their safekeeping, but many forget to notice the outer faces or 

 elaborately decorated with saints or other religious symbology✝️. See the Passion façade of La Sagrada Família in Barcelona, España🇪🇸 below.

Other buildings that are commonly created to have an appealing aesthetic are art museums🎨🏢. Architects designed many art museums🎨🏢 to become a work of art themselves in order to bring a positive aesthetic to the neighborhood or draw in the eyes of passersby. Below is the Guggenheim Art Museum in Bilbao, España🇪🇸. It is a modern building to reflect the contemporary art displayed within.

Definition of Beauty in Daily Life

Personal and public identity can shape the decisions a person makes. Artists are no different.

Individuals choose their friends, adopt certain fashions, and align themselves with political beliefs based on their identities. Many artists use their work to express, explore, and question ideas about identity. —MoMA

Some people have perceived an increase in street art in the last few decades. Street art, or murals, have technically been a form of appreciated art for centuries. A mural is a form of art where the paint is directly applied to a permanent surface, like a wall or a ceiling. Murals are found in all different forms, from the cave paintings in Altamira, Spain; to Michelangelo's frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, Italy; to the murals by Diego Rivera in the Detroit Institute of Arts; to paintings on the side of buildings in the La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Some consider it graffiti and a form of vandalism or destruction of property. What is the difference between graffiti as vandalism and graffiti as art? One difference between vandalism and street art that has been suggested is permission. Generally, vandalistic graffiti is applied in secrecy and without permission. On the other hand, some business owners contract and pay artists to paint large murals on the outer walls of their establishment.

How can street art be a reflection of the artist's personal identity? Well, in many cases, the artist of street art creates anonymously. Anonymous art allows viewers to come up with their own opinions of a piece without obsessing over whether or not a big name artist created it. Consider the enigmatic artist Banksy. Banksy's true identity has not been revealed but even without it viewers are able to interpret his art and understand his desire to express political activism.

How can street art be a reflection of a group's public identity? Some murals are explicitly commissioned to express a representation of the local community's dominate cultural identity. Murals 🖼️ can create a sense of place and a place of recognition with the bright colors used, so locals feel a connection to the location. Street art murals are oftentimes found in neighborhoods that have little access to arts and cultural centers like museums, so they are also a way of providing free access to those who otherwise wouldn't be able to appreciate art. Additionally, many murals are added to relatively neglected neighborhoods in order to show vandals that the area is cared for 🤗 and appreciated, which can reduce the occurrence of crimes of opportunity.

A self portrait is the clearest tangible example of how an artist sees themself. They emphasize the parts of themself that they want others to see, and hide or distort the parts that they don't want others to see. Let's analyze a few examples from the Spanish-speaking world.

 by Frida Kahlo pictured above is a strong example of how personal identity can be portrayed in a self portrait. Kahlo completed this painting not long after her divorce from famed muralist Diego Rivera. The background includes dark, ominous clouds ☁️ representing the inner turmoil she was feeling during her divorce. On the right, Frida is wearing a traditional 

 dress. On the left, she is wearing a more European-style dress. The duality of her outfits reflects her dual heritage. She oftentimes included surgical instruments 🔪 in her art, which points back to her painful experience and recuperation after a bus 🚎 accident, and it also could allude to the Aztec practice of human sacrifice. In the right Frida's hand is a locket-sized portrait of Rivera, maybe still showing her love 💕 for him, as many spouses in that time period would carry a small portrait of their other half. The left Frida's heart is broken representing her brokenhearted, modern self.

(1656) by Diego Velázquez is a masterpiece of the Baroque period. Velázquez can be seen on the left painting inside his studio within Madrid's Royal Alcazar Palace. At the time of this painting, he was commissioned as the court painter for King Felipe IV 👑 and would have painted many portraits of the royal family. The original title of the portrait was 

 (The Ladies in Waiting). He strayed from the expected here by including more people in the painting of lower class status than royals. The King and Queen can be seen in a mirror in the background, which is more inconspicuous than they would usually be represented. Some have said that by including himself in the painting, Velázquez created the first photobomb over a century before the invention of photography. This conveys a sense of boldness or arrogance by the painter, including himself where he might not otherwise belong.

Art as a Reflection of Identity 🎨

New forms of technology continue to be played with and explored by individuals. Some of these advancements can be used to aid communication and further explore self identity or group identity.

Using Technology to Share Personal Identity 💻📱🖱️

Think about your favorite social media platforms. What do you do with each of them? Why do you like them so much? Like mentioned before, personal identity can change over, just like technological advancements. The current ability to access information at the tips of our fingers has greatly impacted our ability to share our own personal identity with the world. People document their meals, their activities and their interests by sharing photos on Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat. Others blog or vlog about their favorite topics all while sharing tidbits of information about themselves. 

Using Technology to Learn About Public Identity 💻📱🖱️

Many agree that technology has been a very beneficial tool in allowing people to access information from around the world that they would never be able to access and learn from otherwise. Let's consider the case of Doña Angela de Michoacán, México. In a few short months, she went from living a simple life out on her ranch in the country to earning a YouTube Gold Creator Award, which is given to YouTubers with more than 1 million followers, by uploading videos of her cooking and sharing her favorite recipes in her home kitchen to her YouTube channel 

. Her family members record her cooking her favorite recipes over a fire stove. She does all of this from memory, from scratch, and with products mostly sourced from her own ranch. In humbly putting herself out there on the internet, people around the world are able to learn about living out in the country in Latin America, all while hearing chickens crow in the background. This example then becomes a component of the public identity of those living out in the country in Latin America for all to see and learn from.

Las redes sociales son aplicaciones y páginas web en que internautas pueden intercambiar fotos, información y más. Es un medio de comunicación interactiva.

 sobre las redes sociales en la sociedad, la política y/o el negocio?

Las redes sociales hacen posible el intercambio de información y cultura entre diferentes sociedades. Es también muy útil en el campo de negocios porque los negocios pueden usar las redes sociales para difundir sus productos o servicios al público con mayor alcance.

A veces personas usan las redes sociales con malos motivos. Esto causa un efecto negativo en la percepción de las redes sociales en la sociedad. Además, hay políticos que ven las consecuencias del abuso de las redes sociales o están apresurados por sus votantes en hacer un cambio en las leyes sobre la seguridad del internet o el uso de las redes sociales.

¿Cuáles son algunas redes sociales que te involucras?

Principalmente, conecto con personas por Facebook. Tengo familiares en otras partes del país y amigos en otros países y es una herramienta muy útil para conectar con ellos y compartir lo que está pasando en mi vida aunque no puedan verme en vivo. También tengo una cuenta en Twitter. No tuiteo mucho, pero uso para asuntos profesionales para buscar información de contactos profesionales y de negocios.

¿Qué riesgos para nuestra privacidad y seguridad están asociados con las redes sociales?

Pues, el problema de ciberacoso está afectando muchos niños hoy en día. Los agresores están usando los redes sociales como SnapChat para mandar mensajes crueles. También, hay que ser vigilante con tus datos personales como tu usuario y tu contraseña porque hay hackers que quieren robar tu identidad.

¿Cómo podemos usar las redes sociales para aprender de otros?

Las redes sociales ayudan mucho en difundir información como videos en YouTube, tuits en Twitter, y publicaciones en Facebook. Nos ayuda aprender cómo viven otras personas y cómo son sus identidades personales y públicas. Se puede usar las redes sociales para comunicarse de manera más fácil que otros medios como cartas en el correo.

Technology and Personal/Public Identity

The language you speak is inherently connected to your culture and your personal identity. A group of people that all speak the same language or even the same dialect of the language have their own unique collective identity. In the following subsections, we will explore a few of the most predominant minority languages that exist in the Spanish-speaking world and some of their influences on the majority group.

In Spain, there are three co-official languages recognized in addition to Castilian Spanish. Each is used in a different region of the country.

Catalan and Valencian are considered the same language, just spoken in different autonomous communities. Catalan is a romance language (meaning it has roots from Latin) that first appeared somewhere in the 10th or 11th century. It went through a period of repression by the monarchy that tried to keep uniformity across the empire, but was reborn during the Renaissance in strength and use. Now, it is a co-official language in Cataluña and Las Islas Baleares with over 9.5 million speakers. Catalan is widely taught in schools so many locals are bilingual as a result. Data from the 2011 census shows 73% of the locals speak Catalan in Cataluña, 95% understand it, 56% can write it. It is used in the media and in official government documents. In Cataluña, the language is evident in road names, local businesses and historical landmarks like 

Galician is also a romance language and started in the 9th century. It seems like a mixture of Castilian Spanish and Portuguese because of its location. During Francisco Franco's dictatorship from 1939 to 1975, many of the minority languages were prohibited. After his death, Galician (along with the other minority languages) were revived. Nowadays, there are more than 2 million speakers of Galician.

One would think the location of País Vasco, being so close to France, would influence the Basque language to be like a mixture of French and Spanish, but the Basque language is considered an enigma. Linguistically, it has no connection to either language! Some believe it is one of the only surviving indigenous languages of the Iberian peninsula before the Romance languages were introduced to the area. Because of its age, there is little known about the origin of the language. There are very few overlapping words between Castilian Spanish and the Basque language. Because geographically, the Basque region is smaller and a lower percentage of the autonomous community's population actively speaks Basque, the number of speakers throughout history has been less than the aforementioned minority languages; today there are only around 1 million native speakers. Inside of País Vasco, many public signs are written or labeled in both Castilian and Basque because there is a local pride and continued push for reviving more bilingual speakers.


¡El silbo gomero es una lengua muy única! Solo se encuentra en la Isla de la Gomera en Las Islas Canarias. Se comunica con silbidos tonales que pueden transferir por las distancias en las montañas de la isla. Aunque muchas personas en la isla entienden, está desapareciendo porque los "hablantes" nativos son mayores y se aprende en casa. Las personas que nacieron entre 1950 y 1980 casi no aprendieron y son incapaces de usarla. UNESCO ha documentado un revitalización de la lengua, y ahora los niños de la isla pueden aprenderla formalmente.

Sylbo, The Last Speakers of the Lost Whistling Language | TIME

Minority Languages in Central & South America

There are over 600 indigenous languages spoken in Central and South America. Many of these are endangered.

The Náhuatl language originated in present day southern México and was used by the Mesoamerican Mexica civilization (AKA Aztecs). Since this civilization dominated the region for centuries, the number and geographic coverage of the population kept the language strong until the introduction of Spanish by the 

 in the 15th century. Before the arrival of the Spanish, the written language was mostly pictograms and ideograms. The Spanish used the Latin script to write down what they heard the Mexica saying, so some spellings are subjective. Nowadays, there are approximately 1.5 million speakers of Náhuatl.

The Guaraní language is native to Paraguay, Bolivia, Argentina and Brazil and is an official language of Paraguay where a majority of the population speaks it along with Spanish. It is a point of pride for many Paraguayans and throughout history has been used as a mode of communication to distinguish locals from their enemies.

Quechua is the language of the Incas from the Andean region. Speakers are mostly located in what is now Perú, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia and Argentina. It is recognized as an official language in Perú and Bolivia. The language has been alive since before common era. Today, exact numbers of speakers is hard to clarify because some speakers live in remote areas and don't participate in all reporting; the best estimate is over 10 million speakers.

Aymara or aimara, is a language spoken in Bolivia, Perú, Chile and Argentina. It has some similarities to quechua possibly because of the overlap in geographic location. There are over 2 million speakers nowadays, but this language is considered threatened because of the decline in number of speakers. Many children are tending to switch to only Spanish because of globalization and social advancement.

Language as Culture

Unit 2: The Influence of Language and Culture on Identity

This unit plunges deeper into a few aspects of personal and public identity by analyzing the influences that language and culture have on forming one's identity. Our guiding questions for this unit are: 

Some say the journey of self discovery and understanding is a lifelong adventure. Each person's personal identity can change over time.

Image from el autoestima en los adolecentes.

Self-esteem is the collection of all of the deep perceptions, images, thoughts 💭, and judgements 🧑‍⚖️  about ourselves. The three main components of self-esteem to consider are what you think, what you feel, and what you do. Know that self-esteem can change over time.

What can cause lower self-esteem? According to 

What are signs I could look out for so I can help? The largest sign of low self-esteem is repetitive negative thoughts about self worth or self value. If you see someone struggling with low self-esteem, offer kind words of encouragement that recognize what they are good at and build a positive relationship with them.

The main religion in Latin America and Spain is Catholicism ✝️ There is a long history of Catholic beliefs in the Spanish-speaking world. This stems from European kings🤴 and queens 👸 imposing the Catholic religion upon their subjects for many, many centuries. 

Most predominantly in Spanish-speaking history, Fernando II and Isabel I, 

, united the kingdoms of Castilla and Aragón with their marriage 👩‍❤️‍👨 Ultimately, most of present day Spain came together under their rule. They have been titled the "

" in recognition of their enforcement and spread of the faith by Pope Alexander VI. In their conquest, they had little tolerance of other religions and drove many Jewish ✡️ and Muslim ☪️ people out of their realm. This deeply rooted ideology eventually spanned centuries and travelled across the ocean with the 

 who landed and conquered much of Central and South America. Under the orders of the Spanish kings🤴 and queen 👸 (and the Pope), Catholicism was imposed upon the indigenous people of the Americas with the same fervor and intolerance of indigenous beliefs or practices as the Jews and Muslims in Europe.

Nowadays in Latin America, a growing number of Catholic believers is decreasing each year. Some of this decrease is due to sweeping trends of equality movements and removing oppression.

Nowadays in Spain, many people still claim to be Catholic ✝️, but do not actively practice the Catholic faith by going to mass. It is very difficult to remove centuries of ideology, history, and cultural monuments from a place, so Catholicism is still heavily present in national institutions.

Apart from Catholicism, it is important to note a few of the folk religions that exist in the region of Latin America. While there are many religions practiced by smaller tribes of people in the Amazon Rainforest, there are two religions that have gained more popularity in recent years: 

 👼 💀 tiene raíces en las comunidades indígenas desde el siglo XVIII. Hoy en día hay más de 10 millones de creyentes. Se considera como una ángel. Los creyentes traen ofrendas para intercambiar por su ayuda. En otras partes, ha subido en popularidad por los carteles narcotraficantes en México🇲🇽 quienes rezan por su protección. Esta religión tiene conexión con o una raíz en la fé católica por el uso de santos y algunos que antes practicaban catolicismo practican la Santa Muerte ahora por ser parecidas salvo que la Santa Muerte se acepta más sin discriminar como las normas católicas.

 tiene raíces afrocaribeñas y se considera una mezcla entre las tradiciones de Yoruba (de África) y Catolicismo. Se trajo a Cuba 🇨🇺 desde la África 🌍 durante el comercio de esclavos⛓️. Es una religión politeísta que enfoca más en ritos y prácticas como sacrificios de animales y ofrendas a los múltiples dioses. Para practicar esta religión, hay una ceremonia de iniciación de unos días, un toque de santo para invitar una posesión, curanderos que usan hierbas para sanar y consultas con un experto en adivinación.

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Join Our Community

AP Spanish Lang Exam Prep 2020-21🇪🇸

Trending

Study by Unit

Unit 1﻿

Families in Different Societies﻿

Unit 2﻿

The Influence of Language and Culture on Identity﻿

Unit 3﻿

Influences of Beauty and Art﻿

Unit 4﻿

How Science and Technology Affect Our Lives﻿

Unit 5﻿

Factors That Impact the Quality of Life﻿

Unit 6﻿

Environmental, Political, and Societal Challenges﻿