Bilingual and Multilingual Seals and Certificates
Learning through the exploration of culture and language
The study of world languages provides students with a comprehensive education and the worldwide perspective necessary to become global citizens. According to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, language learning supports academic achievement, provides cognitive benefits and affects attitudes and beliefs about language learning and about other cultures. It is recommended that students take a minimum of three to four years of uninterrupted study of one of the languages offered in order to:
- Increase proficiency in the language;
- Ensure they are eligible to apply to the college of their choice and are prepared for college-level language study, and
- Fulfill college entrance and exit requirements (some colleges).
Students are invited and encouraged to study more than one language.
Bilingual and Multilingual Seals and World Language Certificates
(indigenous) languages in grades 10, 11 and 12, regardless of how the language was learned. (Bilingual and multilingual seals are awarded upon graduation. World language proficiency certificates can be awarded when students meet proficiency requirements.)
To achieve a seal or certificate, students must satisfactorily complete all required English Language Arts credits and demonstrate proficiency in another language through language proficiency assessments approved by the Minnesota Department of Education. The assessments are an online test of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. The state-approved assessments are:
- American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL) Arabic, Mandarin (Simplified and Traditional), French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Thai, and
- Standards-based Measurement of Proficiency Assessments (STAMP) Arabic, French, German, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin (Simplified and Traditional), Polish, Brazilian, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.
Testing dates and locations for the 2019-20 school year are:
Apple Valley High School – April 7, 2020
Contacts: David Swanson
School of Environmental Studies – March 17, 2020
Contact: Stephanie Steinbron
At this time the assessments are open to grade 12 students interested in earning the World Language Certificate or Bilingual/Multilingual Seal. To register for the AAPPL Measure or STAMP, please complete the online registration and submit payment online using FeePay.
Registration through FeePay will be available Sept. 9, 2019 through Feb. 17, 2020.
- What does proficiency mean?
- How is proficiency assessed?
- How will students know if they are ready for a proficiency test?
- Is there a cost for an assessment or to apply for a certificate or seal?
- How does the state of Minnesota recognize students' proficiency achievements?
- If a student is a native speaker or proficient in a language other than English, can that student get a certificate or seal in his/her native language?
- Are there any other requirements?
- What kind of documentation do students receive for the World Language Certificate or Bilingual/Multilingual Seals?
- Can students receive college credit for their language certificate or seal?
- Are there any additional resources?