Students pass test to show language skills

(L-R) Juniors Karen Araujo, Alice De Andrade, Samantha Coe and Nayla Chaves after passing their Biliteracy test.

April 1, 2023

By Victoria Novais, Staff Writer

ROCKLAND-  Many students in Rockland High School know languages other than English. Now, those students can take a test to get a Biliteracy Seal on their diploma.

On March 21, ten students took the test and eight of them passed and will receive the seal to recognize their accomplishments.

This test is an opportunity to show colleges that a student has passed a test to prove they are bilingual or trilingual. 

“Colleges are offering more credit hours for just having the seal, like Bridgewater State and Massasoit,” said Ms. Rachel Zalocha, an ELL teacher. 

This test has been available in Massachusetts for five years but Rockland High School has only been doing it for two years.

Students who took the test said they didn’t need to study. 

“I didn't feel the need to study, I feel like I am confident enough in my Portuguese to take the test without struggle I’d say,” said junior Nayla Chaves. 

Chaves took the test this year, and she says it was a 4 out of 10 on a difficulty level.

Junior Karen Araujo, says it was a 6 out of 10 because it was more proper than she expected and thinks that people should practice their native language and remember where they come from.

“If you have younger siblings tell them to speak more of their native language, don't forget you have two roots," Araujo said.

Junior Isabelly Dos Santos will be taking the test next year, even though she already knows three different languages, she already knows English, Spanish, and Portuguese she wants to learn more languages. 

“My main goal is to learn French for sure,” Dos Santos said.

She also mentioned that she translates everything three times in her head.

“Everything I hear and say my mind does it three times when someone is talking to me in Portuguese, English it Spanish in my mind I think about it three times,” Dos Santos said.

Students who would like to take the Biliteracy test should speak to their guidance counselor for more information.