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Global Seal of Biliteracy at UNCW

Student Resources

Global Seal of Biliteracy logoUNCW is partnering with the Global Seal of Biliteracy to provide students, faculty, and staff with the opportunity to demonstrate language skills recognized worldwide. This certification highlights the value of multilingualism in today’s global economy and celebrates your achievement in more than one language. The Global Seal awards proficiency in two languages at one of three levels, using tests based on the ACTFL or CEFR scale.

How to Qualify

Provide Recent Results

You must submit language assessment results from the last 12 months in the language you studied.
  • For US high school graduates, this must be a language other than English.
  • You may already qualify if you have AP, IB, DELF, or DELE results. View the full list of approved tests.

Need a New Assessment?

If you do not have recent results or if your skills have improved, you can take a proctored language assessment at UNCW each fall and spring through our partnership with Avant.

About the Avant Assessment

  • Avant measures up to Working Fluency, which is the Advanced Low ACTFL level.
  • It does not assess Professional Fluency, which is the Advanced High ACTFL level.
  • If you believe you are above Advanced Low, contact Dr. Boomershine to explore other options.

Not Sure of Your Level?

Start with this ACTFL self-assessment to estimate your proficiency.

Proficiency Levels & Testing Details

The Global Seal of Biliteracy certifies overall proficiency at three levels:

  • Functional Fluency: Intermediate Mid (for example, scoring at least a 5 on all sections of the Avant test)
  • Working Fluency: Advanced Low (for example, scoring at least a 7 on all sections of the Avant test)
  • Professional Fluency: Advanced High (for example, scoring C1 on the CELE, DELE or DELF, or Advanced High on the OPI and WPT tests)

If you plan to use results from AP, IB, DELF, DELE or another vendor within the past 12 months, please contact Dr. Boomershine for instructions on how to submit your scores.

Students, faculty, and staff who complete Avant testing at UNCW will receive their Global Seal about six weeks after the assessment is completed. You can choose to pick up the certificate or have it mailed.

There is no cost for the Global Seal of Biliteracy itself, but you are responsible for the cost of the language assessment.

Cost

If you choose to have your language assessment proctored at UNCW, the cost to you will be between $14 and $35, depending on the language, and will be paid directly to Avant at the time of registration for the assessment.

Schedule

All assessments take place in Bear Hall, Room 161. Please allow between 2 and 2.5 hours to complete the assessment.

The Fall 2025 assessment dates are:

  • Thursday, Nov. 6 at 6 p.m.
  • Saturday, Nov. 8 at 1:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, Nov. 9 at 1 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 6 p.m.

Registration

Take the next step toward your Global Seal of Biliteracy. Register today for your in-person assessment at UNCW.

Languages

Current in-person assessments through Avant are available in:

  • American Sign Language (ASL)
  • Arabic
  • English
  • French
  • German
  • Italian
  • Japanese
  • Latin
  • Portuguese (Brazilian)
  • Spanish
  • Spanish for Medical

If you would like to be assessed in another language, please contact Dr. Boomershine.

Understanding the Acronyms

American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages

Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

Advanced Placement

International Baccalaureate

Diplôme d’Études en Langue Française

Diplomas de Español como Lengua Extranjera

A proficiency level on the CEFR scale indicating advanced language ability

Oral Proficiency Interview