+ What is the Global Seal of Biliteracy?

The Global Seal of Biliteracy certifies through testing that an individual has a certain level of language proficiency in two or more languages. In the United States, one of those languages must be English.

The Global Seal of Biliteracy is serial-numbered to be entered as a language credential on a C.V., resumé and LinkedIn profiles, can be used to access pay differentials, and provides universities with a verified tool for advanced placement.

+ What does a Seal of Biliteracy do for you?

A Seal of Biliteracy is a credential that provides documentation of language skills in two languages (In the United States, one of those languages must be English). It is earned through externally validated language testing that certifies a globally recognized level of language fluency or proficiency on either the ACTFL or CEFR proficiency scale. It can be used to provide competency-based or advanced language placement, as well as provide an employer with a credential to document language skills for hiring or language pay differentials.

+ Who can get a Global Seal of Biliteracy?

The Global Seal is available to anyone who can meet the criteria for one of our three award levels, “Functional Fluency”, “Working Fluency” or "Professional Fluency", by providing documentation for both languages. There is no age or grade-level requirement for the Global Seal of Biliteracy. The Global Seal has been awarded to middle school, high school and university students as well as bilingual adults.

+ How do you get a Global Seal of Biliteracy?

The Global Seal website describes the process which includes:

1. Apply by clicking the APPLY tab or button. The Global Seal of Biliteracy is free (cost of testing not included).
2. Submit qualifying scores on an approved test. A referral for testing will be provided upon request. The Global Seal of Biliteracy list of qualifying tests can be found on this website.
3. The Global Seal of Biliteracy award and award certificate with embossed seal is issued to qualifying candidates at no charge. Schools and/or recipients may choose to select and pay for optional recognition medals or pins.

+ Who issues the Global Seal of Biliteracy?

The Global Seal of Biliteracy organization processes and issues the Global Seal credentials after receipt and verification of a candidate’s qualifying documentation. This documentation may be submitted by a school, organization or company on behalf of their language learners or bilingual employees or an individual. In the first case, the school, organization or company awards the Global Seal of Biliteracy recognition, often in a celebratory event. Individuals may also earn a Global Seal certificate. In this situation, test scores must be submitted directly to the Global Seal by the test company.

+ Where can the Global Seal of Biliteracy be awarded?

The Global Seal can be issued to anyone anywhere in the world. The languages and qualifying tests may differ, but the criteria and process is the same. The Global Seal of Biliteracy has been issued in multiple countries and languages by business, educational and governmental entities. The Global Seal of Biliteracy credential offers three levels of certification on both the ACTFL and CEFR proficiency scales.

+ How to implement a Global Seal of Biliteracy program?

The Global Seal of Biliteracy provides a number of program implememntation guides known as Global Guides. Please select one of the most applicable below.

• Charter, Private or Independent Schools
• Colleges and Universities
• Community-Based Heritage Language Schools
• Homeschooling
• Individuals
• Public Schools

+ What is the difference between bilingual and biliterate?

A bilingual person can speak two languages. A biliterate person can comprehend two languages (reading and listening) as well as speak and write in two languages.

+ Why was the Global Seal of Biliteracy created?

The Global Seal of Biliteracy was inspired by the U.S. State Seal of Biliteracy movement which provides recognition of bilingual skills to graduating high school seniors in public schools. The Global Seal is a strong and active supporter of these programs but seeks to fill its gaps and expand its breadth by providing an opportunity for anyone with language skills to document and certify their abilities. Because language skills are acquired in many ways, it was important to design an alternate process that would enable all bilinguals to celebrate, credential and leverage their language skills. Additionally, the Global Seal of Biliteracy wanted to provide a mechanism to sustain current skills and inspire a life-long commitment toward the ongoing development of one’s language abilities. The Global Seal pathway of awards enthusiastically certifies bilinguals from private, independent, charter, parochial, international, community heritage language, public and home schools. We are also excited to recognize those who have learned their languages at home, through travel abroad or unique experiences, at college or as a working adult. The Global Seal believes so strongly in the value of language diversity and multilingualism that we want to encourage and recognize learners by providing them with empowering meta-credentials they can use in ways that are both valuable and meaningful.

+ Can an individual earn more than one Global Seal of Biliteracy?

Yes! We are thrilled to certify multilinguals. Because an individual’s skills differ from language to language, each language must be individually tested and certified at one of the Global Seal’s three levels fluency. For example, if a person’s first or native language is English, they might earn a Functional Fluency Global Seal in Chinese and a Working Fluency Global Seal in French. We also encourage Global Seal recipients to continue “leveling up” their language skills in order to earn a higher fluency Global Seal of Biliteracy certificate in the same language as a previous award.

+ MEDIA: We would like to interview someone re: the Global Seal. Who do we contact?

Contact the Global Seal’s Executive Director: linda.egnatz@theglobalseal.com. Also take a look at our Press Kit

+ Can a person apply for the Global Seal of Biliteracy as an individual?

Yes. Individual applicants must select one of our individual testing options. Once a test has been selected please navigate to our application page and complete the application. If you have already tested with a school, organization or employer, they will need to submit your test scores on your behalf. Please see our Individual Global Guide for more information.

+ Can Higher Education institutions award the Global Seal to their students?

Yes! College students benefit greatly from micro-credentials that articulate their language skills. Because each Global Seal is serial-numbered, their certificate is easily added to a resume, C.V. or LinkedIn profile, making it easy to set themselves apart in the job search and access language pay differentials. This is especially helpful to those non-majors/minors who otherwise may not have a way to highlight their bilingualism. Currently about 25% of Global Seal certificates are issued by colleges and universities to their own students. To see a list of higher education institutions that have recently issued the Global Seal, click here: https://theglobalseal.com/higher-education.

The recent Global C.R.E.D. 2020 event offered several sessions specific to Higher Education needs.

+ How do schools or companies outside of the U.S. award the Global Seal of Biliteracy?

A school, organization or company may apply from anywhere in the world!

The Global Seal is a universal credential. We offer an online application and many of our qualifying tests can be delivered online. Some tests also offer remote proctoring services for schools serving online students as well as for individual applications.

+ Can homeschoolers get the Global Seal of Biliteracy?

Yes, homeschoolers can either test individually or as a group. Homeschoolers are recommended to form a co-op in order to order group tests at a lower cost. Individual homeschoolers may still apply using our application. Please see our Homeschooler Global Guide for more information.

+ How do you get a Global Seal of Biliteracy?

The Global Seal website describes the process which includes:

1. Apply by clicking the APPLY tab or button. The Global Seal of Biliteracy is free (cost of testing not included).
2. Submit qualifying scores on an approved test. A referral for testing will be provided upon request. The Global Seal of Biliteracy list of qualifying tests can be found on this website.
3. The Global Seal of Biliteracy award and award certificate with embossed seal are issued to qualifying candidates at no charge. Schools and/or recipients may choose to select and pay for optional recognition medals or pins.

+ What is the cost of the Global Seal of Biliteracy?

Thanks to the generous sponsors and donors, the Global Seal of Biliteracy is a completely free program that certifies an individual’s biliteracy based on language testing. The Global Seal itself does NOT test candidates. All testing is contracted with test companies directly by educational institutions, organizations, businesses or by individuals themselves and expenses are paid directly to test companies.

For group testing, the school or organization will determine which test(s) to administer and how testing will be funded. Once testing is completed and qualifying scores are submitted for each candidate, we will provide the Global Seal credential at no charge, including the Global Seal of Biliteracy Presentation Certificate and Embossed Seal, which are all mailed for free. Upon receipt of the certificates, there will be an opportunity to purchase additional recognition items which include a transcription service to provide universities and employers with the recipient’s language credentials.

+ What languages does the Global Seal of biliteracy test?

The Global Seal currently offers tests in over 100 languages. To find a test in a specific language, please see our Languages page.

+ What is on the Global Seal of Biliteracy Test?

In order to receive a Global Seal of Biliteracy, you must take a test of language fluency that measures speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. (Note: For some less commonly tested languages, a two skill test of the productive Speaking and Writing skills is accepted - see qualifying tests.) The test will require that the test-taker read and listen to authentic media (news, articles, radio, signage, etc.) and answer questions that demonstrate comprehension. Speaking and writing portions will require that the test-taker respond to open-ended questions and prompts or have a conversation.These tests use evidence to determine a language users’ "proficiency level" as determined by the ACTFL or CEFR Proficiency Scales.

To get a general approximation of your language level, take our free Self Assessments.

To learn more about how to prepare to take a Seal of Biliteracy test, check out these short tutorials from our free Global C.R.E.D. 2020 event:

10 STRATEGIES FOR PREPARING FOR A PROFICIENCY TEST TO QUALIFY FOR A SEAL OF BILITERACY

THE LANGUAGE GYM: STRENGTHENING OUR COMMUNICATION SKILLS

GAMECHANGER: HOW TO EARN A GLOBAL SEAL OF BILITERACY

HOW I EARNED THE GLOBAL SEAL OF BILITERACY IN 4 LANGUAGES

+ What test(s) do / can you take for the Global Seal of Biliteracy?

The Global Seal’s Board of Advisors determine which tests best meet proficiency-based criteria. All tests that qualify for the Global Seal of Biliteracy can be found on our test page and/or can be viewed by language. The Board of Advisors’ work is ongoing, and additional tests, including international tests, may be added. Additionally, deletions and/or modifications may be made to currently qualifying tests as the tests and or testing conditions or criteria may change.

+ How were the Global Seal of Biliteracy qualifying tests selected?

The Global Seal of Biliteracy’s Board of Advisors selected the first set of qualifying tests to meet the following criteria:

• Externally validated (not developed or scored at the local/district/state/provincial level)

• Assesses all 4 basic skills -- Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing*

  *Exceptions made for languages such as Latin where a component may not be assessed or for less common languages where 4 skill tests may not be available. For these languages, the productive skills of speaking and writing must be measured.

• Results are aligned with or correlated to the [ACTFL Proficiency Scale][14].[14]: /actfl-language-proficiency-levels
• Tests must be human proctored by an impartial party, for example a school administrator, teacher or HR representative.
• For Global Seal of Biliteracy candidates in the US, English language is required and can be met by meeting state ELA standards, through qualifying testing, or fulfilling requirements for academic degrees.

Tests for languages other than English are those also accepted by State Seal of Biliteracy programs.

After extensive study, the Global Seal of Biliteracy certification expanded to include tests that use the CEFR Proficiency Scale for 2021. This includes several selected CEFR-based certificates tests.

• Selected tests that have a published detailed results of a linking study that follows the procedures outlined in the CoE’s Manual for Relating Language Examinations to the CEFR.
• Selected tests that have been awarded the ALTE Q-mark.
• Selected tests that have been awarded the SICELE Seal.

+ What proficiency level is required for a Global Seal of Biliteracy?

The Global Seal of Biliteracy can be awarded in three certification levels, “Functional Fluency”, “Working Fluency” or "Professional Fluency", by providing documentation for both languages. The Global Seal of Biliteracy credential can be earned by using either the ACTFL or CEFR scale. For more information on requirements please visit out test page.

+ What is the ACTFL Proficiency Scale?

The ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines were updated in 2012 by ACTFL to break down language skills in multiple domains into levels of language proficiency. There are a total of eleven ACTFL language proficiency levels that fit into five primary proficiency levels, Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, Superior and Distinguished . Within the Novice, Intermediate and Advanced levels there are three sub domains (Low, Mid and High).

+ What is the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) Proficiency Scale?

The result of over twenty years of research, the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment (CEFR) was launched in 2001. It was designed to provide a transparent, coherent and comprehensive basis for the elaboration of language syllabuses and curriculum guidelines, the design of teaching and learning materials, and the assessment of foreign language proficiency. The CEFR organizes language proficiency in six levels, A1 to C2, which can be regrouped into three broad levels: Basic User, Independent User and Proficient User, and that can be further subdivided according to the needs of the local context. The levels are defined through ‘can-do’ descriptors.

+ What are proctoring requirements?

It is part of the Global Seal of Biliteracy’s policy that each and every accepted test requires impartial human proctoring to protect the integrity of the test to the highest degree. For this reason, we only accept tests administered by an impartial human proctor such as a school official, teacher, etc. The virtual remote proctoring or home proctoring option, if selected, must be used in conjunction with an impartial human proctor, even if digitally remote. Tests that are solely proctored by parents/guardians will not be accepted. For any questions or concerns please email us at info@theglobalseal.com

+ Do universities recognize / accept the Global Seal of Biliteracy?

Many universities have provided college credit, advanced placement and even scholarships to Global Seal of Biliteracy recipients. Additionally, almost 25% of Global Seal certificates are issued by colleges and universities to their own students. To see a list of higher education institutions that have recently issued the Global Seal, click here: https://theglobalseal.com/higher-education.

+ Can you receive college credit for the Global Seal?

In 2019 The Global Seal of Biliteracy partnered with Southern New Hampshire University to offer Global Seal of Biliteracy recipients the opportunity to earn transferable college credits. We would like to thank Southern New Hampshire University for the launch of our inaugural college credit opportunity as it opened many doors for our Global Seal recipients.

Currently, we are busy working to provide a new college credit program that would greatly increase the number of credits available for each of our certificate levels. Click here to learn more.

In the meantime, we encourage those seeking college credit to inform your college about your Global Seal of Biliteracy. Several states (IL, HI, MO, MN, ME) award college credit to their State Seal of Biliteracy recipients. Many universities also use College Board AP Test scores aligned with the ACTFL proficiency scale to provide college credit and/or advanced placement. Suggested:

• Functional Fluency = ACTFL Intermediate-Mid = Advanced Placement (3)
• Working Fluency = ACTFL Advanced-Low = Advanced Placement (5)

+ How do I add my "Global Seal of Biliteracy" credential to my LinkedIn profile?

Watch our YouTube video or follow the directions below.

1. Login to your LinkedIn account and click "Edit public profile."
2. Scroll down past Education to the profile section "Licenses and Credentials."
3. Click the + in the top right corner to "Add Licenses and Credentials."
4. In the "Name" box add: Global Seal of Biliteracy "Working Fluency" in English and Japanese (changing it to your appropriate Fluency level and languages).
5. In the "Issuing Organization" box, enter "Global Seal of Biliteracy" and our icon will appear.
6. Add the issue month and year.
7. Finally, add your unique Global Seal of Biliteracy serial-number in the "Credential ID" box.
8. Click SAVE and your new language credential will now appear on your LinkedIn profile.

+ What is Global C.R.E.D.?

Global C.R.E.D. 2020 was a FREE Global Seal of Biliteracy event that brought together more than 3,600 language learners, educators and stakeholders from over 55 countries #GlobalCRED2020 was designed to encourage and support language learners who want to LEVEL UP and LEVERAGE their language skills for future opportunities. C.R.E.D. hosted over 100 livestream and pre-recorded sessions in multiple languages and included topics ranging from how to earn a Global Seal of Biliteracy to gaming to career opportunities for bilinguals. Inspiring keynote speakers, informative panelists and insightful learners shared their language learning experiences and expertise. Access archived Global C.R.E.D. here.

+ Does the Global Seal of Biliteracy accept donations or sponsorships to offset the cost of its free program?

Yes! The Global Seal of Biliteracy certificate with embossed Seal is verified, certified, printed and mailed to all candidates free of charge. While we do offer the optional purchase of our celebratory Global Seal medals and lapel pins help defray some of those costs, we very much appreciate our sponsors and the generous donations of our program supporters. To donate, click: https://theglobalseal.com/donate.

+ How to celebrate awardees?

Celebrate awardees' language skills by having an award ceremony with parents, teachers and other stakeholders. If you would like to extend the celebration with medals or lapel pins, they are now available for purchase on our website under the shop section. The purchasing link will be found in your confirmation email after your Global Seal certificates have been shipped.

+ What is the relationship between the Global Seal of Biliteracy and Avant Assessment?

Avant Assessment is the proud founder and first sponsor of the Global Seal of Biliteracy. Avant launched the Global Seal to close the opportunity gap for learners that do not have access to a state Seal program. The Global Seal of Biliteracy has its own independent Board of Advisors that created the Guiding Principles and determines which tests can be used to qualify individuals for the Global Seal award. It is important to note that the Board of Advisors has accepted as qualifying assessments for the Global Seal many tests that were not developed by Avant Assessment. The Global Seal has attracted additional sponsors interested in providing scholarships, especially to offset the cost of testing, for language learners in economically challenged situations.

+ How does the Global Seal of Biliteracy differ from the U.S. State Seals of Biliteracy?

The Global Seal of Biliteracy is universal, it crosses state lines and can be issued in any country whereas the U.S. State Seals are generally available to students graduating from a public school in a state and individual district or school that has adopted the program (with some exceptions). The Global Seal of Biliteracy credentials all qualifying language learners, including those who have already graduated from high school, but would like to certify their language skills for academic or work purposes. The Global Seal is often used in partnership with state Seals to provide earlier benchmark awards or an alternative award to language learners above or below state Seal criteria. Schools often adopt both programs.

+ How many U.S. states have a Seal of Biliteracy?

42 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia currently have a form of a State Seal of Biliteracy. The award may be called by different names including a Seal, Certificate or Endorsement. Click State Resources for more information on each U.S. state as the individual state rules and criteria vary widely.

+ Where can I learn more about a U.S. State Seal of Biliteracy?

In the United States, many individual states have adopted a program to recognize graduating high school seniors that have bilingual skills. Click on any state in the map found on our State Resources website page for more information on that state. Individual state rules, qualifying tests and proficiency criteria vary widely, but our state pages will provide basic information as well as links to the states’ official website.

+ How can the Global Seal of Biliteracy complement and/or enhance a U.S. State Seal of Biliteracy program?

Many U.S. high schools have adopted both the Global Seal and their state Seal of Biliteracy program. This is usually to provide students with a pathway of awards, both below and above the proficiency criteria of their State Seal of Biliteracy. For example, many states award their Seal at the ACTFL Intermediate Low or Mid levels, but heritage learners, students in Dual-Language/Immersion programs, and motivated high school learners may achieve a much higher level of proficiency and benefit from a certificate that recognizes their current skill level. Similarly, other states require ACTFL Intermediate High for their award, which may be a difficult achievement for students in 4 year programs or those who are studying character-based languages.

Research has also shown the benefits of providing benchmark testing for the Seal of Biliteracy. If a school only tests its seniors, the qualifying test becomes a pass/fail experience with no opportunity to improve. Earlier benchmark testing, beginning as early as possible in the language sequence, provides ongoing learner feedback. Data shows improvement in student motivation, learner autonomy and performance as well as increased language program retention. Multiple points of recognition along the language learning pathway creates excitement and a greater likelihood of learner success. To learn more, watch our Global C.R.E.D. 2020 video.