Minnesota World Language Proficiency Certificates and Bilingual/Multilingual Seals

The Minnesota World Language Proficiency Certificate was created as an official recognition by the state of Minnesota in 2009. It indicates that you have demonstrated proficiency in a language other than English at the Intermediate Low Level according to the American Council of Teachers of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Proficiency Guidelines. (http://actfl.org/publications/guidelines-and-manuals/actfl-proficiency-guidelines-2012.)

The Minnesota Bilingual and Multilingual Seals were legislated in June 2015. The Bilingual Seal is awarded for proficiency in another language in addition to English. The Multilingual Seal is awarded for proficiency in two or more languages in addition to English. The level of each seal is defined according to the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines. The criteria for the Bilingual/Multilingual Gold Seal is ACTFL Intermediate High; for the Platinum Seal it is Advanced Low. 

What do those seals mean about a student's communicative ability?

1. ACTFL Intermediate Low level proficiency is considered to be a minimum level proficiency needed to function in familiar situations in the real world. 
2. ACTFL Intermediate Hight level proficiency is a highly functional level which allows you to communicate effectively in many informal and formal situations.
3. ACTFL Advanced Low level proficiency indicates the ability to handle a variety of communicative tasks in most informal and some formal situations which are beyond the range of topics handled by Intermediate speakers to include the capacity to use sufficient accuracy.

How can your students earn a World Language Proficiency Certificate or a Bilingual/Multilingual Seal?

They must demonstrate the proficiency specified for each level of the recognition through assessments. If they are interested in earning one in the language they are studying at school, their language teacher might be able to provide an opportunity for testing. 

For a Bilingual/Multilingual Seal, students also must meet English Language Arts requirements for graduation. Seals are awarded upon graduation. Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Diploma Program language exams are also ways to demonstrate proficiency.