In a world full of different languages, having the innate skill to be able to speak two different languages fluently is highly sought after. Being bilingual is not just a valuable skill, it opens up doors for future career paths and education options. The annual Seal of Biliteracy test, approaching next month for Pleasant Valley juniors and seniors, presents an opportunity for students to unlock future life opportunities and develop mastery in a language they have been studying for over four years.
The seal is a comprehensive test that tests a person’s all-around knowledge of a language. It is comprised of four parts: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. If a student shows proficiency in these four areas of a language, they are awarded the seal of biliteracy, which shows that students are proficient in at least two languages, and that goes on their official transcript. The seal can be taken in many different languages but the two prominent ones are the Spanish and French seals because those are the two language options offered at school.
Junior Anthony Lino Montes is really excited to be taking the seal next month. “I have been taking Spanish for four years now and I feel like getting the Seal of Biliteracy would be the cherry on top for me. It would signify that this journey of four years has really paid off,” said Lino Montes.
The Seal of Biliteracy is also a very prestigious award to put on the college application, which is also why many students want to take it. “It’s really nice that we can take the seal because it is a thing that sets us apart from many other kids applying to colleges around the country,” states Lino Montes.
For students who are planning to study abroad, the Seal of Biliteracy can be very useful. Junior Kaj Kabongo, who is taking the Spanish Seal, plans to studying abroad and she believes that the seal can help with the experience. “If I can earn the Seal, I feel like I will have high confidence to be able to go and act like a regular civilian if I go to study abroad in places like South America or Spain which are heavily Spanish-speaking places,” expressed Kabongo.
The Seal offers a comprehensive award for the four years of hard work and persistence that students put into learning their respective languages. Earning the Seal bears great fruit as students are introduced to opportunities to possibly change their lives forever. The Seal of Biliteracy is an award that doesn’t just signify biliteracy; it signifies true growth and opportunities ahead from just earning proficiency in a language.
