The Seal of Biliteracy is an honor given to students who pass the AAPPL test. The six hour test requires years of preparation. Seven students at St. Charles High this year were awarded the Seal of Biliteracy. Noe Damian, Leticia Murillo, Melisa Murillo, Rosario Murillo, Alyssa Schreiber, Caryn Torrero, and Dustin Whitterholt all are officially recognized as bilingual Spanish speakers.  Spanish teacher Laura Reese recognized the work that goes into earning the Seal of Biliteracy. 

“Doing the seal of biliteracy certification is not something that is simple to do because you have to go through a lot of processes,” said Reese. 

A lot of preparation went into the test.

 “I got sent emails with documents explaining how to do it, and I just had AP Spanish classes with it, YouTube videos, stuff like that,” said student Noe Damian. 

Reese did her part to make sure her students had ample preparation. 

“How I prepare my students is I start preparing them in level 1,” said Reese. “I am a very strict teacher and I hold very high expectations for my students and we are continually practicing the skills that are not just necessary to do well on the seal of biliteracy test but also to help you eventually take the AP exam which will lead to eventually to help you become a proficient learner and communicator of Spanish.” 

The Seal of Biliteracy is a great opportunity for students like Dustin Whitterholt who wants to minor in Spanish. Even students who don’t plan to study Spanish in college thought it was worthwhile. 

“It felt pretty nice to get the Seal of Biliteracy, not many people get the experience,” said Damian. 

The award opens many doors in college, especially if the student is interested in studying a foreign language. 

“When you earn your seal of biliteracy, it can branch into several situations,” explained Reese.  “Some students have been able to skip some courses in the beginning of their Spanish adventure in college and move on to higher levels and it saves them some money as well, and for other universities they don’t really accept it, but you can go into your entry level courses already being good at the language and therefore you might be able to ask your professor to take an exam and place into a higher level.”