World Languages

World Languages

SALA offers leadership and technical assistance for implementing standards, teaching courses and instructional materials review.

World Language Requirements

Postsecondary Admission

Section 1007.261(1)(b), Florida Statutes, requires two credits of sequential foreign language instruction at the secondary level as a prerequisite for admission to Florida state colleges and universities. A student whose native language is not English may be exempt from this requirement, provided that the student demonstrates proficiency in the native language. Two credits of American Sign Language may be used to satisfy the foreign language requirement per section 1007.261(9), Florida Statutes.

Scholar Diploma Designation

Section 1003.4285(1)(a)4., Florida Statutes, requires students pursuing the Scholar Diploma Designation to earn two credits in the same World Language.

Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program

Under Rule 6A-20.028, Florida Administrative Code, eligibility for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program includes completion of:

• Two credits of a sequential World Language in the same language, or
• Demonstration of language proficiency through an approved assessment, such as a STAMP assessment, where applicable.

The Florida Seal of Biliteracy

Under Rule 6A-1.09951, Florida Administrative Code, The Florida Seal of Biliteracy Program is established to recognize a high school graduate who has attained a high level of competency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in one or more foreign languages in addition to English by the award of a silver or gold seal on a standard high school diploma.

Section 1003.432(3), Florida Statutes, establishes the purpose of the Florida Seal of Biliteracy Program to:

• Encourage students to study foreign languages.
• Certify attainment of biliteracy.
• Provide employers with a method of identifying an individual with biliteracy skills who is seeking employment.
• Provide a postsecondary institution with a method of recognizing an applicant with biliteracy skills who is seeking admission to the postsecondary institution.
• Recognize and promote foreign language instruction in public schools.

The program offers two levels of recognition: Silver and Gold. Eligibility is based on:

• Earning four (4) foreign language course credits in the same foreign language, or meeting alternative pathways, including attaining a qualifying score or performance level on approved examinations or demonstrating language proficiency through an approved portfolio option; and
• Attainment of qualifying scores on statewide English Language Arts statewide assessments.

Examinations

Below you can find the list of approved examinations to satisfy the world language component:

Program Participation Data

The following chart illustrates statewide participation and growth in the Florida Seal of Biliteracy Program over the past four academic years:

Seal of Biliteracy Insignia

Pursuant to Rule 6A-1.09951(7), Florida Administrative Code, the Commissioner of Education shall provide to each school district an appropriate insignia to be affixed to the student’s diploma indicating that the student has been awarded the Gold Seal of Biliteracy or the Silver Seal of Biliteracy in accordance with Rule 6A-1.0995(5), F.A.C.

Available Insignia Files

• Silver Seal of Biliteracy (PNG)
• Gold Seal of Biliteracy (PNG)

Tips for use:

• Right click on image and click, “Save Image As…”
• Open document where seal should be placed and insert the saved image.
• If the seal image appears larger than you wish, hold down “shift” and use corner handles to drag in. This will ensure the seal is not distorted.

World Languages Standards - Adopted February 2011

• 2011 World Languages Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (PDF)

Presentations

• FLDOE’s Updates – 2025 Florida Foreign Language Association Conference (PDF)
• Quarterly Meeting – World Languages Leaders (PDF)

Contact Information

Liban Diaz
Program Specialist IV, World Languages
850-245-0757
Liban.Diaz1@fldoe.org