GLOBAL SEAL OF BILITERACY (9-12)

Global Seal Of Biliteracy

The Global Seal of Biliteracy serves to formally certify proficiency in two or more languages and attainment of biliteracy for students. It is a statement of accomplishment that helps signal a student’s readiness for multilingual college settings, employment and engagement as a global citizen.

REQUIREMENTS:

Cultural and/or Language Immersion (one qualifying experience from below):

- Take an approved international trip through Windward or another approved organization for purposes of language and culture (one-week minimum)

- Host an international student (non-family member) through an approved organization (one-week minimum)

- Volunteer or intern with an approved global organization (hours in addition to the Windward baseline requirement to be determined in consultation with the student’s Global mentor)

- Attend a language immersion summer camp or program such as Middlebury-Monterey, Concordia Language Village, School Year Abroad, etc. (two-week minimum)

- Participate in an approved virtual immersion alternative (for cohorts affected by COVID travel limitations)

Global Leadership:

- Ongoing participation in meetings of Global Scholars and Global Mentors

- Participation in Global events during Grades 10-12

Students must demonstrate functional intermediate-high level proficiency based on the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines in all four modes of communication (speaking, listening, reading and writing) in both English and a foreign language. Students must submit an online application form via Google Forms provided by the chair of the World Language department. To receive the Global Seal of Biliteracy at the end of the current academic year, students must submit the form by the end of the fall semester.

Proficiency certification in English. To satisfy the English language requirement, students must meet the following expectations:

- Earn a semester grade of B+ or higher.

- Report their AP English Language scores.

Proficiency certification in a foreign language(s). To satisfy the World Language requirement, students must:

- Earn a semester grade of B+ or higher.

- Report their AP Chinese, French or Spanish Language & Culture scores.

External testing of proficiency certification of languages taught at Windward (including English) and other languages.

- Demonstrate functional intermediate high-level proficiency.

- Students must take the World Language department’s designated external assessments such as AAPPL or STAMP language testing to confirm that they have reached the targeted level of proficiency in all four modes (except for Latin).