Bilingual/Multilingual Seal program
PLANNING INFORMATION
Minnesota Bilingual and Multilingual Seal and
World Language Proficiency Certificate
“Language isn’t a ‘credit for graduation’ to check off, but a skill that ‘checks you in’ to future opportunity.”
-ACTFL, Egnatz, 2017
Minnesota has a system to reward students for proficiency
in one or more languages. Students will have a notation
entered on their high school transcript upon graduation
to reflect proficiency in multiple languages.
To achieve functional language proficiency in more than
one language a student must make it a long-term goal.
This applies to both heritage speakers of languages other
than English as well as students studying a world
language. Proficiency is directly related to the number
of hours spent studying the language over long-term,
therefore, students should plan how they will achieve
this goal over time. A student’s chances of achieving
functional proficiency increase the earlier a student starts
studying a language.
Benefits:
The Bilingual/Multilingual Seal program gives students in
grades 10, 11 and 12 an opportunity to earn college
credit from the Minnesota State system, a statewide
network of 30 colleges and 7 universities with 54 cam-
puses across Minnesota.
Eligibility:
• Both heritage speakers and world language
students who have worked towards functional
proficiency in English and another language
are eligible to test and to prove abilities.
• In addition to demonstrating the
required proficiency levels in a language
other than English on an assessment based
on the America Council on the Teaching
of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), students
must demonstrate mastery of Minnesota’s
English language proficiency standards
• Satisfactorily complete all required
English language arts credits
• Every high school in the AHSD has a
system in place to verify and award the
MN Bilingual/Multilingual Seal and World
Language Proficiency Certificate.
Additional Benefits:
• To encourage students to study languages.
• To certify attainment of biliteracy.
• To provide employers with a method of identifying
people with language biliteracy skills.
• To provide universities an additional method to
recognize applicants seeking admission.
• To prepare learners with 21st century skills.
• To recognize the value of foreign language and
native language instruction in public schools.
• To strengthen intergroup relationships, affirm the
value of diversity, and honor the multiple cultures and
languages of a community.
4
Middle School Registration Guide