The Seal of Biliteracy is an official recognition awarded to students in the United States who demonstrate proficiency in English and at least one additional language. This distinction is added to the student’s high school diploma and transcript, highlighting their bilingual skills for colleges, universities, and future employers.

 

First introduced in California in 2011, the Seal of Biliteracy has now expanded to 48 states, either as a state policy or a voluntary district-level program.

 

Students who earn the Seal of Biliteracy must demonstrate:

•Proficiency in English (through state assessments, ELA grades, or other benchmarks).

•Proficiency in a second language (such as Spanish, Turkish, Arabic, Chinese, French, etc.) in reading, writing, speaking, and listening at an academic level.

 

Turkish is one of the recognized languages for this award.

The award applies to both English learners who master English and native English speakers who achieve proficiency in another language.

 

Earning the Seal of Biliteracy provides significant advantages, including:

• Stronger college applications – stands out to universities.

• Access to scholarships – some programs prioritize bilingual students.

• Acts as a language certificate – may replace standardized language tests.

• College credit advantages – in some states, students receive credits for language skills.

• Career opportunities – officially proves bilingualism to employers.

 

Especially in fields such as education, healthcare, law, diplomacy, and translation, the Seal of Biliteracy adds a valuable credential to a student’s resume.

 

Immigrant parents often encourage their children to focus on learning English. However, the Seal of Biliteracy demonstrates the importance of preserving heritage languages.

 

The message is clear: “Being bilingual is not a weakness—it is a strength.”

Children who maintain their native language alongside English gain both academic advantages and a stronger cultural identity.

 

Requirements for the Seal of Biliteracy may vary by state, but generally include:

•English proficiency: minimum performance on state exams and strong ELA grades.

•Second language proficiency: through AP/IB exams, STAMP4S, AAPPL, or state-approved language tests.

•Some schools allow students to demonstrate their bilingual ability through local exams.

 

Students typically apply in their senior year of high school.