Frequently asked questions
Below is a list of frequently asked questions about the test given to achieve the Seal of Biliteracy, the process, and other possible scenarios.
The answers to the following questions may vary for this year. We thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.
When and where will the students be tested? Students will be tested in the language lab (B268) of the High School. Students will be tested during school hours at a time that is convenient for the school calendar and best matches the students'optimal time for testing in relation to class practice. This may vary from year to year as the test varies from year to year.
Why was the Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL) test chosen?
Answer: The AAPPL measures student performance towards proficiency rather than discrete grammatical and vocabulary skills. Being able to use the language in a realistic context with a focus on communication rather than perfection aligns with the goals of the Newtown High School World Language Department. The AAPPL is also endorsed by ACTFL. ACTFL sets the national standards for the teaching of world languages.
What does the test measure?
Answer: The test measures the ability to engage in linguistic tasks on topics of personal, social, and academic relevance across the three modes of communication (interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational). Specifically it will measure interpersonal speaking and listening, interpretive reading, interpretive listening and presentational writing in an online format.
How do students pay?
Answer: This test is offered free of charge to students in final year language courses for the first attempt. Following attempts will be at the charge of the students depending on the section they will need to retake.
What extra work do I need to do aside from the requirements in order to be allowed to take the exam?
Answer: Nothing, there is no preparation homework or activities that need to be done to take the test. It is completely voluntary and therefore paying and taking the test are the decision of the student and their family.
How long will it take?
Answer: The spoken portion takes about 30 minutes and is timed (about 15 questions with about 90 seconds more or less to answer the prompt – times vary); the writing takes generally a little over 30 minutes, and the other sections of the test should take about 30 minutes each. In total with directions and preparation the process should take about 3 hours.
What do I need the day of the test?
Answer: Nothing. Possibly snacks for breaks, tissues, water, maybe a book to read after completing the test.
Please note that paper, pens, pencils, notes, paper, dictionaries, Ipods, laptops, cell phones, cameras, food, or electronic devices are NOT allowed during testing.
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When and where will they be tested?
Answer: students will be tested during school hours most likely around March of the students’ junior year. March has been chosen because the students have had almost a full year of the language at the highest level of language before transcripts are sent out to colleges. Also, if students do not pass they potentially have the opportunity to take the test later in the school year or in the next school year if necessary.
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The details of testing (in-school field trip or during class, who will be administering the test) will be determined based on the number of students who sign up to take the test and the school calendar.
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If there is a problem on the day(s) of testing, (such as a snow day), the test will need to be rescheduled.
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If the student is absent on the day of the test they will need to organize a time to re-take the test with Ms. Ward-Toller
How will this affect my student’s GPA and transcripts?
Answer: The test is completely voluntary and will have no impact on grades, graduation, and/or GPA; therefore students will not get extra credit either. However, it will be documented on their transcript as a “pass,” for colleges and universities to see.
How does this apply to or impact the college application process?
Answer: It really depends on the university. Some colleges may accept the Seal of Biliteracy as a standard for meeting language requirements; others may or may not give credit. Students and families will need to contact their university of choice for more information. However, the Seal of Biliteracy does set students apart from other students for having achieved this state recognized honor.
How does this relate to the World Language Honor Society?
Answer: This does not have any connection to the World Language Honor Society; being a member of the World Language Honor Society is a completely separate entity from the Seal of Biliteracy.
What are they looking for on the test?
Answer: The focus of the writing and speaking is about answering the questions and tasks correctly with rich and high quality responses and information – not about quantity. The themes of the tasks are printed each year for students to prepare for the exam.
Will there be a review session for the test or are there resources available to practice?
Answer: There will not be a specific review session for the test since all the activities and assessments in class practice the skills necessary to be successful. However, samples of what the exam looks like are available at: https://www.languagetesting.com/aappl2-demo
How can my student prepare to be successful?
Answer: Every year the list of tasks and topics for each language is posted on the Language Testing International Website. Students can prepare by looking at the tasks and topics and reviewing vocabulary and ideas related to the topics and to be prepared to speak to and understand communications about those themes.
https://www.languagetesting.com/aappl-task-and-topics
Students can also take time to engage with authentic materials outside of schools such as movies, online articles, music, podcasts and speaking with peers in the target language.
My student is a native speaker. Can they still take the test?
Answer: Absolutely! The Seal of Biliteracy was created to support English Language Learners as well as students learning another language other than English.
My student has accommodations. Can they still take the test?
Answer: Yes. The student will need to submit paperwork to accommodations@languagetesting.com to get the accommodations approved. More info at: https://www.languagetesting.com/academic-test-accommodations
How quickly will we get results?
Answer: Multiple choice is immediate, writing and speaking usually take a little over 2 weeks.
How are the scores accessed?
Answer: Students will receive an AAPPL score report indicating separate scores for each individual component of the AAPPL Measure that the learner has taken with a description of each score and recommendations for improvement.
Teachers will be able to access data through the testing site to guide their future practices.
Can my student get the Seal of Biliteracy for more than one language?
Answer: Yes, but they will need to be tested at separate times and pay for each test. The Seal will be placed once on the diploma but noted separately for each language on student transcripts.
Can my student retake the test if they don't pass?
Answer: Yes, but they will need to pay for the parts of the test they need to retake and the student needs to contact Ms. Ward to find a time and place to take that portion of the test. Students do not need to retake the entire test, only the portions they did not pass. Additionally, students will have to wait 2 months before reattempting that portion of the test. Each section has a different cost associated with it.