Within our complex and diverse world, multilingual skills become an increasingly valuable achievement. To promote and strengthen these skills, the Seal of Biliteracy was created to recognize those particular students who show their proficiency both in English and another language.

The Seal of Biliteracy is an award given to students who excel in more than one language, including English. It is offered by school districts in many states and provides students with validation of their fluency in many languages.

“The Seal of Biliteracy is a recognition by the California Department of Education and this is an honor to students that have taken a level 4 language class,” AP Spanish teacher Ms. Claudia Reynolds said. “When a student takes the level 4, it not only enhances their learning, but it gets them to get a title, and that title is being bilingual.”

The seal is separate from the AP exam, but makes sure to complement the curriculum and skills learned in any AP language class, offering acknowledgement of the hard work needed to excel in a language. With such proficiency, the Seal of Biliteracy can also help students in professional settings and their preparation for real world challenges.

“If they are ever in a situation where someone that only speaks Spanish needs help, they’re able to share with them their knowledge and be able to provide them with whatever they need,” AP Spanish teacher Mr. Edgar Hernandez Estrada said. “Some of my students also volunteer at hospitals, and so being able to help someone in a health professional environment is really important.”

Additionally, the seal serves as a motivator for students around campus, encouraging them to take more advanced language classes. It sparks curiosity for them and allows students to explore other cultures and expand their knowledge.

“When I started teaching AP about 10 years ago, we only had one class. [Soon], students recognized that having the Seal of Biliteracy really helps them with college applications and I have seen an increase in classes. Two years ago, I taught five AP classes, and 98 students took the AP exams,” said Reynolds.

Although some students didn’t have space to take a fourth year of a foreign language or didn’t have enough time to complete all four years, the Avant Test—a test consisting of reading, writing, listening, and speaking—allowed students the opportunity to earn the Seal of Biliteracy.

“I had a conflict with my schedule that didn’t allow me to take AP Spanish, and I was disappointed that I wasn’t going to get the Seal of Biliteracy,” Kailyn Dang (12) said. “I felt that if I had taken the class I would have done really well, so [the Avant Test] was more of an opportunity for me to get the seal, which I was happy to do.”

The Seal of Biliteracy is more than a certificate, it is proof to students around the state that they are able to accomplish something great and also engage with a whole other culture while doing so. It prepares students for the culturally diverse world America is and how crucial bilingualism is. 

“It provides an inclusive environment for students, so students feel value in what they’re learning and how they’re engaging with a new language,” Hernandez said.