Language is an Asset—and These Students Prove It For the third year, Language Testing International® (LTI) has proudly awarded the Seal of Biliteracy Achievement Scholarship to high school students who not only achieved their state Seal of Biliteracy but also demonstrated a clear and compelling understanding of what it means to be multilingual.
Continue readingThe Financial Industry’s Language Barrier Issue – A Call to Action for More Multilingual Banking
Let’s be honest—money talks, but what happens when your customers don’t fully understand the language your money is speaking? In a country where over 68 million people speak a language other than English at home, the financial industry has a language issue it needs to address. And it’s a big one.
Continue reading5 Best Practices for Training and Assessing Medical Staff on Language Proficiency
Clear communication in healthcare isn’t optional—it’s lifesaving. From intake and triage to diagnosis and discharge, every step in a patient’s journey depends on accurate, effective communication. For multilingual patients, language barriers can lead to confusion, delays in care, misdiagnoses, and even fatal outcomes. That’s why healthcare administrators must take proactive steps to ensure their medical […]
Continue readingIt’s a Fact: A Bilingual Workforce Reduces Safety Incidents
Let’s face it, we are living in a world of fast-paced work environment where language proficiency is no longer just part of a business’s “nice to have” capabilities—it’s actually a risk management strategy. This is especially true in industries where safety, quality, and compliance are directly tied to clear communication. Think for a minute how […]
Continue readingAdvocacy in Virginia: The Seal of Biliteracy as an Industry-Recognized Credential
The value of an industry-recognized credential Industry-recognized credentials can include certifications, licenses, and micro-credentials and are a quick way to signal to prospective employers that you have certified skills that are valuable in the workplace. Students in high school seek these credentials for many reasons: to gain full-time employment after graduation, to gain part-time employment […]
Continue readingUltimate Outreach: Bridging K12, Postsecondary, Business, and Community
Have you heard conversations like these? Businessperson: Why does our school teach Spanish when we have a large Vietnamese population in our county? We need more trained workers – can we partner with schools or programs in the area to help us? Community service organization volunteer: We need support from the schools and businesses for […]
Continue readingThe Perfect Match: How the AAPPL Aligns with the Guiding Principles for Dual Language Immersion
Dual language immersion (DLI) programs are built on a foundation of academic achievement, bilingualism and biliteracy, and sociocultural competence. To ensure success, programs must align with research-based best practices, as outlined in the Guiding Principles for DLI Education. The ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL), the only ACTFL test for learners in […]
Continue readingBilingual Crime Investigator: The Key to Cracking the Case and Preventing Dead Ends – LTI Blog
In the fast-paced world of crime investigation, sharp minds, keen observation skills, and advanced training are indispensable. But to truly solve complex cases, detectives need a unique set of skills that go beyond traditional investigative techniques—skills that can bridge cultural and linguistic gaps. For a bilingual crime investigator, these linguistic abilities can make all the […]
Continue readingSetting Students Up for Real-World Success
As language educators, we strive to prepare our students for real-world communication and future opportunities. Whether they pursue careers in government, healthcare, business, or education, their ability to use language effectively can open doors. Therefore, providing them with the right assessment tools to showcase their skills is essential. Not all language tests are created equal. […]
Continue readingUsing Your Bilingual Skills to Be a Hero in Law Enforcement: The Power of Language Certification – LTI Blog
In the field of law enforcement, being bilingual can make all the difference, especially in critical and high-stress situations. While many people envision law enforcement as involving investigations, forensics, and high-speed chases, they often overlook the vital role that language plays in these scenarios. Imagine a police officer reading Miranda Rights to a non-English speaker […]
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