World Language Certificate; Bilingual/Multilingual Seal

A person’s ability to understand and communicate in a language in a spontaneous and non-rehearsed context in four modalities: listening, reading, speaking, and writing.

• There are five levels of proficiency, as defined in the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), ranging from novice to distinguished.
• Each level is further subdivided into three stages: low, mid, and high.
• The ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines provide a description of what language learners can do with the language in the four modalities at each proficiency level, regardless of when, where, or how the language is acquired.

The answer to this is different for every individual. There are many different factors that play a role in developing language proficiency such as where, how, when, and why a person learns a language. Here are some guidelines to consider.

• This ACTFL chart of who is likely to function at various oral proficiency levels in the workplace.
• The North Carolina World Language Essential Standards outline of the approximate number of classroom hours needed to reach each proficiency level.
• Our district's outline of expected curriculum proficiency targets in each Wayzata World Language course.

Choosing your test or assessment

• If you take AP World Language classes, you should register for the AP Language Exam.
• If you do not take AP World Language classes, you should register for either the AAPPL or STAMP 4S assessment.

Yes, if you:

• are in grades 10, 11, or 12 (Minnesota Statute 120B.022)
• satisfactorily complete all required English Language Arts credits (required for Bilingual/Multilingual Seal only)
• demonstrate your proficiency in another language through a language proficiency assessment approved by the Minnesota Department of Education.

There is not charge to have a certificate or seal notes on your transcript.

There is a charge for the assessments.

• $65 for AP Language & Culture assessments
• $40 for The AAPPL Measure

Payments can be submitted through EPay.

Scholarships based on financial need may be available at the high school.

Earning a certificate or seal has no affect on which high school courses you take. It is a recognition of your achievement that will appear on your transcript and may earn you college credit at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.

Summer Test-In/Test-Out is a WHS process is for moving into a higher level of a World Language course.

You will receive a letter from our school district with your test results.

If you earn the World Language Proficiency Certificate or the Bilingual/Multilingual Seal:

• we will enter a notation on your transcript, and
• you will receive a Certificate or Seal created by the Minnesota Department of Education.

Your transcript will reflect one of the following notations.

• Minnesota World Language Proficiency Certificate - for Intermediate low level of proficiency in the four modalities (listening, speaking, reading and writing)
• Minnesota Bilingual Gold Seal - for intermediate high level of proficiency in the four modalities in one language
• Minnesota Multilingual Gold Seal - for intermediate high level of proficiency in the four modalities in two languages
• Minnesota Bilingual Platinum Seal - for advanced low level of proficiency in the four modalities in one language
• Minnesota Multilingual Platinum Seal - for advanced low level of proficiency in the four modalities in two languages

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities award credits for certificates and seals.

• 2 semesters of credit for a Certificate
• 3 semesters of credit for a Gold Seal
• 4 semesters of credit for a Platinum Seal

The University of Minnesota and other colleges outside of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system will use their own guidelines.