GREENVILLE, S.C. (May 23, 2023) – Several Bob Jones University students enrolled in intermediate language courses recently received the Global Seal of Biliteracy after successfully completing the AVANT 4S assessment, a proficiency assessment that validates students’ ability to communicate in reading, writing, listening and speaking in a second language.
To qualify for the Global Seal, students complete an approved proficiency exam and achieve a minimum intermediate-mid rating in all four skills.
“Learning to communicate in another language develops valuable communication skills and intercultural competence that will better enable students to serve God and others in a linguistically and culturally diverse world. All students completing a fourth-semester language course in Chinese, French, German or Spanish through the Division of World Languages & Cultures at BJU are encouraged to complete the AVANT 4S Assessment,” said Dr. Jeremy Patterson, Division of World Languages and Cultures chair. “This year, 26 students earned the Global Seal of Biliteracy.”
The Global Seal of Biliteracy is an international credential that conveys proficiency with language skills in two or more languages. It enables educators across the world to quickly validate a student’s language skills to provide appropriate placement in a language program, award college credit and increase scholarship opportunities.
The following students successfully completed the assessment:
Chinese
Charlotte Jensen
Haven Visser
Kaitlyn Whaley
French
Jinette Faraj
Audrey Huffman
Kate Huffstutler
Eylan Martinez
Elizabeth Olson
Jonathan Rose
German
Gabrielle Baer
Jordyn Britton
Juliana Burcham
Asa Cropsey
Paul Landry
Emma Smoker
Vivian Waite
Spanish
Damaris Ziemski
Taylor Moreno
Justin Williams
Mark Boyd Jr.
Abigail Gillespie
Julia Brazeal
Heather Lewis
Karis McGuire
Tina Marie Njoroge
Esther Overstreet
The seal allows employers to verify students’ language skills and be confident that they possess valuable soft skills linked to language learners. In a globally interconnected marketplace, language credentials may also result in pay differentials and increased employment opportunities for students.
