+ What is considered the First/Native Language of Certification?

The first/native “Language of Certification” is generally the language learned in primary school in which the individual is most comfortable and which the individual can speak, listen, read and write. For example, if the candidate’s primary language of schooling is English, then English can be considered their first/native Language of Certification, even if another language is spoken at home and/or they began school as an English Learner.

+ If meeting graduation requirements are used for Global Seal qualification, do we need to submit student transcripts to prove first/native language proficiency?

• For group submissions, transcripts or documentation of a candidate’s first language are not required upon submission, but must be available upon request if necessary.
• For individual applications, graduation documentation must be submitted.

+ Do First/Native language tests need to be submitted within 12 months of taking them?

No, only second language tests are required to be submitted to us within 12 months of the test start date.

+ What are the First/Native Language of Certification Requirements for U.S. candidates?

All Global Seal candidates must have a certain level of language proficiency in two or more languages. In the United States, one of those languages must be English, but English could be their first/native or second language.

+ For U.S. certification, what if the candidate’s home language is a language other than English, but they have only attended U.S. schools? Is English their first or second language?

If the candidate’s primary language of schooling is English, then English can be considered their first/native Language of Certification, even if another language is spoken at home and/or they began school as an English Learner. If they have tested in a third or fourth language, then they are able to earn multiple awards but one certificate must still be awarded in English.