World Languages

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VISION: Communicative and cultural competency in more than one language is essential for success in the modern world. Clark County School District World Language students will increase their communicative abilities and their cultural literacy through spontaneous, real-world communication opportunities and cultural investigations.

 

MISSION: The mission of the Department of World Languages at the Clark County School District is to provide opportunities for students to develop proficiency and communication skills in a target language, as well as an understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures, in order to participate effectively in a multilingual, multicultural society.

 

GOALS:

  • Cultivate communicative and literacy-based skills in the target language for interaction in a variety of settings for multiple purposes.
  • Develop cultural competency and understanding through investigation, reflection, and comparison of target cultures and languages for participation in a multilingual, multicultural world. Connect with other disciplines through access and evaluation of information in the target language.

 

Seal of Biliteracy

About the Seal

The Seal of Biliteracy was an initiative started by Californians Together in 2008 to acknowledge and award hardworking bilingual and multilingual students. In 2011, it officially became legislation in California and now over 30 states throughout the nation have implemented a statewide Seal of Biliteracy. On May 30, 2015, Nevada became the 13th state to implement a legislated statewide Seal of Biliteracy. By achieving the Seal of Biliteracy, students demonstrate that they are able to speak, read, listen, and write in two or more languages at a high level of proficiency.

 

The Clark County School District’s Curriculum and instruction Division, in collaboration with the Nevada Department of Education, identifies candidates for this award, verifies their language skills, and publicly recognizes students for exemplary achievement.

 

Purpose

The Seal of Biliteracy Seeks to:
  • Encourage students to study world languages
  • Certify attainment of biliteracy
  • Provide employers with a method of identifying people with language and biliteracy skills
  • Provide universities with a method to recognize and award academic credit to applicants seeking admission
  • Prepare students with 21st century skills
  • Recognize and promote world language instruction in public schools
  • Strengthen intergroup relationships, affirm the value of diversity, and honor the multiple cultures and languages of a community

 

What is biliteracy?

Biliteracy is the ability to effectively understand, speak, read, and write in two languages.

 

Who is eligible to earn the Seal of Biliteracy?
ALL students are eligible to attain the Seal of Biliteracy based on evidence of achieving the designated level of language proficiency in English plus one or more other languages during their high school years. Students must demonstrate the state-determined level of proficiency in English, as well as one or more additional languages, be that language a native language, heritage language, or a language learned in school or another setting.

 

Why should a student earn the Seal of Biliteracy?

The Seal of Biliteracy opens up a sea of vast opportunities for those pursuing higher education or joining the workforce. As the world increasingly becomes more global, the need for employees with bilingual and multilingual skills has also been increasing.

Employers seek bilingual or multilingual individuals for reasons such as:

  • Accessing expanding markets
  • Better serving customer needs
  • Reaching particular and wider ranges of audiences
  • Opening a channel of communication with customers

 

How much does the Seal of Biliteracy cost a student?
All costs associated with the Seal of Biliteracy (certificates, diploma seals, and district-approved assessments) are paid for by the CCSD Curriculum and Instruction Division. There are no costs to the student outside of normal fees for Advanced Placement and/or International Baccalaureate examinations.

Eligibility Requirements

 

  • Complete all high school graduation requirements
  • Complete all semesters of English with a 2.0 or higher GPA
  • Demonstrate proficiency in one or more languages other than English by fulfilling one of the following options:
    • Advanced Placement (AP) World Language exam with a score of 3 or above
    • International Baccalaureate (IB) World Language exam with a score of 4 or above
    • Foreign government or Native American tribe language exam with a passing score
    • District-approved language examination with a passing score

 

District-approved language examinations will be scheduled and proctored by individual schools in coordination with the CCSD Curriculum and Instruction Division.

District-Approved Assessments

The CCSD Curriculum and Professional Development Division will coordinate testing dates with each school. The schools are responsible for providing proctors and any necessary equipment (computers, headphones, telephone, etc.) for students to complete the assessments. All testing must be completed between January 5–March 31, 2022. To find out a school’s actual testing date and time, please contact the school directly.

 

Once applications are received, the CCSD Curriculum and Professional Development Division will verify student eligibility, order and pay for the exams, and provide access codes to schools.

Award Components

  • Seal of Recognition
  • Seal on Diploma
  • Transcript Notation

 

Web Site

For more information regarding the Nevada Seal of Biliteracy, and to complete an application, please go to the Seal of Biliteracy webpage.

 

MULTILINGUAL DEPARTMENT CONTACT

Director: Dr. Osvaldo Garcia

Phone: 702-799-0964

Fax: 702-799-0774

Resources Site for World Language Teachers