For Employers
How Do I Determine a Candidate's Language Proficiency Level?
State Seal of Biliteracy programs provide hard, objective, and test-based evidence that job candidates have specific language skills. States vary in their award levels and types. However, nearly all are aligned to the well-established ACTFL proficiency levels. This means that employers can be confident that their potential hires have the language skills needed to do their jobs effectively.
You can list "Seal of Biliteracy" as a preferred or required qualification on your job listing to draw in applicants with certified proficiency in speaking, reading, writing and listening in a target language.
The guidelines below provide general information about what proficiency levels mean on the job and what applicants are likely able to do at each level.
Award-to-ACTFL Proficiency Level Conversion by State
Every state has different award levels and types. Please use the calculator below to determine your candidate's ACTFL proficiency level based on their award level/type and state where the award was received.
We also offer an infographic that shows the conversion of ACTFL proficiency levels to SEAL award types/levels across all 50 states.
To download the infographic in PDF form, click HERE.
