LILIANA G. SMITH
Liliana Smith is a nationally endorsed consultant for the College Board, specializing in Advanced Placement (AP) Spanish Language and Culture instruction and program development. With more than 20 years of experience in AP, she has led numerous AP Institutes, workshops, and professional learning experiences across the United States and internationally, supporting educators in strengthening instructional practice and advancing excellence in language education.
A graduate of Universidad del Valle, she brings extensive experience teaching Spanish at the elementary, middle, high school, and college levels. Her academic preparation and classroom practice have shaped her commitment to excellence in language education, with a particular emphasis on rigorous, standards-based instruction that develops students’ interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational communication skills in alignment with AP Spanish Language and Culture goals. Her professional work includes deep engagement with AP assessment systems, including service as an AP Reader and contributor to AP exam-aligned instructional materials. She has also served as a federal grant reviewer for Advanced Placement programs with the U.S. Department of Education. In these roles, she has supported educators in implementing assessment-driven instruction grounded in AP scoring guidelines, cultural proficiency, and high-impact instructional practices that advance excellence in language education. In addition to her AP and consulting leadership, she has contributed to curriculum development initiatives in Colombia in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and authored materials for Escuela Nueva, a nationally implemented textbook series used in public schools across the country. Since 2018, she has served as Curriculum Coordinator for the Spanish Immersion Program in Wayland Public Schools, supporting the development, alignment, and expansion of the program since its inception. She also serves as Chair of the Professional Development Committee for the Multistate Association for Bilingual Education, Northeast (MABE). Her work reflects a sustained commitment to equity, college readiness, and excellence in language education as a pathway to cultural understanding and academic success.
A graduate of Universidad del Valle, she brings extensive experience teaching Spanish at the elementary, middle, high school, and college levels. Her academic preparation and classroom practice have shaped her commitment to excellence in language education, with a particular emphasis on rigorous, standards-based instruction that develops students’ interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational communication skills in alignment with AP Spanish Language and Culture goals. Her professional work includes deep engagement with AP assessment systems, including service as an AP Reader and contributor to AP exam-aligned instructional materials. She has also served as a federal grant reviewer for Advanced Placement programs with the U.S. Department of Education. In these roles, she has supported educators in implementing assessment-driven instruction grounded in AP scoring guidelines, cultural proficiency, and high-impact instructional practices that advance excellence in language education. In addition to her AP and consulting leadership, she has contributed to curriculum development initiatives in Colombia in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and authored materials for Escuela Nueva, a nationally implemented textbook series used in public schools across the country. Since 2018, she has served as Curriculum Coordinator for the Spanish Immersion Program in Wayland Public Schools, supporting the development, alignment, and expansion of the program since its inception. She also serves as Chair of the Professional Development Committee for the Multistate Association for Bilingual Education, Northeast (MABE). Her work reflects a sustained commitment to equity, college readiness, and excellence in language education as a pathway to cultural understanding and academic success.
Course Description
This AP Summer Institute is designed for both new and experienced AP Spanish Language and Culture teachers, as well as educators in pre-AP programs focused on vertical alignment and preparing students for AP success. The institute offers an in-depth exploration of the revised course and exam launching in the 2026–2027 school year. Throughout the week, participants will examine the updated 2026 Course and Exam Description (CED), the revised curriculum framework, and the effective use of AP Classroom to support instruction and student learning. The institute will focus on the key changes to the course and exam, the instructional implications of those changes, and strategies to help students meet the new expectations successfully. Participants will work closely with the new Course Project, including its stages and related tasks, while exploring ways to introduce and scaffold the project throughout the academic year. Special emphasis will be placed on engaging students with authentic resources and guiding them in the use of cultural products, practices, and perspectives to communicate in meaningful and purposeful ways. The workshop will also highlight the central role of culture and the integration of the three modes of communication: interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational, throughout instruction and course planning.
Key Areas of Focus
● Overview of the 2026 CED and course updates
● The new Course Project and scaffolding strategies
● Instructional planning using thematic units, essential questions, and authentic materials
● Updated exam structure and performance expectations
● Integration of the three modes of communication
● Embedding culture into daily instruction
● Use of technology and authentic resources to strengthen proficiency
● Feedback strategies that support student growth
● AP Classroom tools and resources
● AP Audit requirements for syllabus development
During this hands-on institute, participants will engage in collaborative planning, design practical classroom activities, and share best practices that strengthen language proficiency and cultural understanding. By the end of the institute, participants will leave with ready-to-use activities, practical instructional strategies, and a clear understanding of how to successfully implement the updated AP Spanish Language and Culture course and exam.
Key Areas of Focus
● Overview of the 2026 CED and course updates
● The new Course Project and scaffolding strategies
● Instructional planning using thematic units, essential questions, and authentic materials
● Updated exam structure and performance expectations
● Integration of the three modes of communication
● Embedding culture into daily instruction
● Use of technology and authentic resources to strengthen proficiency
● Feedback strategies that support student growth
● AP Classroom tools and resources
● AP Audit requirements for syllabus development
During this hands-on institute, participants will engage in collaborative planning, design practical classroom activities, and share best practices that strengthen language proficiency and cultural understanding. By the end of the institute, participants will leave with ready-to-use activities, practical instructional strategies, and a clear understanding of how to successfully implement the updated AP Spanish Language and Culture course and exam.