Judah Students Reaping the Benefits of Biliteracy

According to the US Census Bureau, about 75 million of the 343 million people in the United States are bilingual. Being able to speak two languages fluently is a skill that not everyone has, but having that skill lets you connect with more people, better understand their perspectives, and expand possibilities for your career.

Judah seniors Jack Dalbey, Dom Mortenson, and Amelia Kerlin all took the biliteracy test

That is why Judah’s Spanish teacher, Nicole Haegele, introduced the school to the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy this year. “Maestra” acted on the suggestion of senior Amelia Kerlin, who had seen information about the seal as part of her experience in the Rotary Youth Exchange program. The Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy recognizes high school students who have a high proficiency in English and in a second language. It recognizes truly biliterate students.

Maestra wants biliteracy in Spanish to be something that students reach for. She said, “The danger in many classes is that you show up, check off some boxes, and don’t actually learn anything.” The Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy is not like that. Maestra said that because the program rigorously tests your biliteracy, “You have to prove your ability. People can often get an A by checking off boxes. But by working really hard, we can have fluency in another language. That’s the real end goal, not getting an A. To have something to aim for is really important.”

Students take the biliteracy test in autumn or spring. It has four sections: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. It is a difficult test that demands great knowledge and skills to pass. But those who pass the test can earn from 4 to 16 hours of college credit at universities and colleges across Illinois. Universities and colleges outside Illinois have various policies, but they generally regard the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy as a strong indication of your language skills.

For Maestra, the seal represents something greater than academic achievement. It represents the opportunity to serve others. Judah Christian School is a Christian community, and its students are called to serve. A second language can help you serve more people. According to Maestra, “It helps us communicate the gospel in a meaningful way and to be able to serve different people in different ways.” Being able to share in someone’s native language, and being able to communicate with them and understand their viewpoints and perspectives, knits people together far more than working through translators. 

The Seal of Biliteracy meets Maestra’s expectations for real communication skills

The Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy is not the only recognition that could come out of the state’s biliteracy test. There is also the Illinois Commendation Toward Biliteracy, which is given to high school students who have not quite achieved biliteracy but have shown significant growth toward achieving a high level of proficiency in another language. The commendation generally does not earn any credits in colleges or universities across Illinois, but it is looked upon favorably in the admissions process.

Three Judah seniors attempted to qualify for the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy this fall. Amelia Kerlin, who suggested that Judah pursue the program, earned the full State Seal of Biliteracy. Dominic Mortenson and Jackson Dalbey earned the Commendation Toward Biliteracy. All three have earned more than As in Spanish class; they have made great strides toward being biliterate. 

Amelia said this about earning the State Seal: “It opens doors, because it is really useful in many jobs to know a second language.” Amelia plans to go into nursing, and knowing Spanish will help her connect with more people and patients. She says that learning another language like Spanish lets you learn about people, their experiences, and their culture in the way that is most natural for them. Maestra agreed: “Being bilingual has many benefits. The more you can be fluent, the more you can truly see the viewpoints of other people.”

The Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy is an acknowledgment given to those who have demonstrated a high level of proficiency in a second language outside of English. While the seal itself serves as an academic achievement, the students’ underlying language skills create opportunities to succeed in future careers, to learn about other people and cultures, and to serve God by crossing the boundaries of language.

—Matthew Mattox, class of ’27