Language Seals and Certificates

Minnesota Bilingual seals and world langugage proficiency certificates

What are the seals and certificates?   

They are awarded to students who show required language competency in speaking, writing, listening, and reading in languages other than English in grades 10, 11, and 12. The bilingual seals are awarded upon graduation and will appear on one’s transcript. World language proficiency certificates are awarded when students meet the requirements for proficiency.  

Why are they a good thing to have?

They are not only an indication of accomplishment but a selling point to future employers and for college admission.

In addition, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities as well as Augsburg, Concordia, and Northwestern University-St. Paul, will award free semester credits to graduating high school students who receive bilingual seals and world language proficiency certificates. 

PROFICIENCY CRITERIA IN LISTENING, SPEAKING, READING, AND WRITING	AWARD	MINNESOTA STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES  CREDIT
ACTFL ADVANCED LOW	PLATINUM SEAL	4 semesters
ACTFL INTERMEDIATE HIGH	GOLD SEAL	3 semesters
ACTFL INTERMEDIATE LOW	WORLD LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY CERTIFICATE	2 semesters

Students must request the college semester credits within three academic years of graduation from high school and upon enrollment in a college or university.

One must also demonstrate mastery of Minnesota’s English language proficiency standards as well as satisfactorily complete all required English language art credits.

Note:  The University of Minnesota is not part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.  

What does it mean to be proficient?

The State of Minnesota uses the ACTFL scale to determine proficiency. Students who obtain the ACTFL Intermediate Low are awarded the World Language Proficiency Certificate. Students who obtain the ACTFL Intermediate High, the Bilingual Gold Seal. Students who obtain the ACTFL Advanced Low, the Bilingual Platinum Seal.

What languages are offered?

The following languages are offered: American Sign Language, Amharic, Arabic, Dakota, French, German, Hebrew, Hindi, Hmong, Italian, Japanese, Karen, Korean, Mandarin (Chinese), Ojibwe, Oromo, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Thai, and Vietnamese.