Hebrew at the Center Celebrates Student Achievement
Pathway to Proficiency: Making the Proficiency Journey Transparent and Achievable with the Passport, Ribbons, and Global Seal of Biliteracy
The Pathway to Proficiency program allows students, teachers, and parents to acknowledge progress in Hebrew language acquisition with fun and meaningful markers, using the ACTFL Proficiency Levels as their guide.
Students begin the Pathway using the Passport, a tool that encourages students and teachers to continually assess growth in the four key areas of language — reading, writing, speaking, and listening comprehension — and track progress. As each student successfully acquires a new level of language, the teacher notes the achievement in the appropriate skills and at the new level of success within the Passport. Click here to learn more about the Passport and download a copy.
When students achieve novice-mid, novice-high and intermediate-low in all four language skills, completing that section of the Passport, they are awarded the appropriate Pathways Ribbon.
Global Seal of Biliteracy
Once students complete the Passport at the Intermediate-low level in all four skills, they are ready to continue working towards the Global Seal of Biliteracy in Modern Hebrew. This credential is a transcribable record demonstrating that an individual is literate in at least two languages, with proof of literacy in their first or dominate language and proof in a second language at the functional fluency (intermediate-mid), working fluency (advanced-low), or professional fluency (advanced-high) level.
Students who earn a Global Seal of Biliteracy in Hebrew are recognized with their teacher and their school at the annual Heseg ceremony.
To earn a Global Seal of Biliteracy in Hebrew, students take a proctored Avant Assessment STAMP4 test in Hebrew; the test scores are then shared with the team at the Global Seal of Biliteracy, and the Seal is awarded (note that students below eighth grade must also demonstrate literacy in English; it is assumed that students above eighth grade who are learning in schools where English is the primary language of instruction are English at the eighth grade level).
Additionally, we encourage schools to celebrate student’s’ progress along the Pathway to Proficiency by awarding the Pathways Ribbons and Global Seals of Biliteracy during a school assembly in January around Hebrew language month, Yom Ha’Atzmaut, or at graduation.
International Hebrew Exam
The International Hebrew Exam, administered through The Lookstein Center at Bar-Ilan University, gives high-school students around the world the opportunity to strengthen Hebrew language proficiency, develop reading, listening, and speaking skills, increase knowledge of Hebrew literature and, and connect with Israel and its vibrant culture
The Lookstein Center for Jewish Education at Bar-Ilan University provides enrolled teachers with study materials, summaries and suggested lesson plans, and high school students can receive an official transcript from Bar-Ilan University, which can be used for transfer credits in other universities.
הישג/Heseg Ceremony
Every year Hebrew at the Center holds its virtual הישג Heseg (achievement in Hebrew) award ceremony, to celebrate the hard work of middle and high school students who have received the Global Seal of Biliteracy in Hebrew language. In order to qualify for the Global Seal of Biliteracy, students must complete the Avant STAMP test in Hebrew language and reach a level of Functional Fluency or Working Fluency.
The Heseg award and ceremony recognize the successes of each student, their Hebrew instructor, and their schools. The award motivates more students to aspire to higher levels of proficiency and provides parents and school leaders the opportunity to celebrate language learning excellence. At our more recent Heseg Award Ceremony, more than 100 students were awarded the Heseg certificate by Hebrew at the Center.
Hebrew at the Center Hebrew Scholarship
As part of our annual Heseg Ceremony, we are excited to celebrate student Hebrew achievement through the following scholarship awards:
- $1,000 in the high school category
- $500 in middle school category
Additionally, two semi-finalists in each age group will win $500 scholarships each. The scholarships can be used for future Hebrew language leaning, Jewish education, or global Jewish travel.
In order to be eligible for one of the scholarships, students must qualify through one of the following two pathways:
- Earning the Global Seal of Biliteracy
- Achievement assessed through the International Hebrew Exam
The application process involves submission of proof of successful completion of one or both pathways, both written text and a video of the student reading an essay based on the year’s theme and prompt, an application form, and two letters of recommendation.
To learn more about any our initiatives aimed at celebrating student achievement, please contact Dr. Sarah Rubinson Levy.
College Credit by Exam in Hebrew & the Credly Badge: Language Waivers, Advanced Placement, and Course Credit
The American Council on Education (ACE) provides valuable programs and services that allow students to earn college credit for learning and training acquired outside of traditional degree programs. ACE’s Learning Evaluations (formerly known as CREDIT®) assess a wide range of educational and training experiences, including courses, exams, certifications, and apprenticeships. Recently, twelve Avant Assessment STAMP4 tests for language were accredited by ACE to allow for credit by exam, including the Hebrew assessment.
By leveraging ACE credit recommendations in Hebrew, students can:
- Save money on tuition and other educational expenses
- \Accelerate their academic progress
- Develop professional skills
- Enhance their qualifications for new job opportunities
- Achieve advanced college placement, potentially bypassing the college language requirement
- have leverage in college admission
Unlike traditional paper-based certificates, Credly Badges are digital image files that serve as a visual representation of an individual’s accomplishments. These badges can be shared across various platforms, including social media, digital resumes, and email signatures. They can also be shared with current or future colleges and universities to strengthen a student’s application and generate a language course waiver, advanced course placement, and up to sixteen credits. To learn more about this opportunity, please contact Dr. Sarah Rubinson Levy.
