Seal of Biliteracy Scholarship
Award Winner’s Essay
By Lourdes Ramirez
The best words that represent my view on multilingual skills come from the Chinese Proverb ‘‘To forget one’s ancestors is to be a brook without a source, a tree without a root.” They not only show us how important it is to keep our language but also remind us not to forget about our ancestors and culture. Participation in the Seal of Biliteracy exam was not only valuable but also pushed me to reconnect with the language that shaped me, the one in which I spoke my first words.
The most important reason behind keeping my native language alive is about more than just opportunities or ‘‘success.’’ Many people think that if you are bilingual, you will be automatically successful. Being bilingual is a great skill in applying for jobs, but that’s not everything. What about preserving our culture that make us proud of who we are? Even though the United States is a huge country with high expectations of English fluency, we should continue upholding our native values to transition to a better and healthy American citizen. Therefore, this test offered me an opportunity to go back to those memories, to reaffirm that being bilingual is not only an advantage, but also part of who I am.
Another beneficial aspect of taking this assessment is a moment to demonstrate my value, strengths, and capacities as an immigrant. The Seal Biliteracy test is not just a word; this test makes my language skills more authentic and genuine when I present my transcript. This significant stamp certifies my abilities to communicate with the world in another language. Why wouldn’t I take this opportunity? We all constantly prove our point in our language class when we refer to the text, this is just a similar situation to my advantage. Now I can proudly share my transcript with colleges and universities and certify that I am a well-rounded student with an ability to transition smoothly between two languages.
Finally, this exam helped me challenge myself. On the day of Seal of Biliteracy, I remember how nervous I was, I didn’t know what to expect about it. At the start of the test, I found it hard to switch between English and Spanish when performing tasks in listening, reading, and speaking. However, I refused to let that hold me back. I was determined not to fail; I decided to show my knowledge in a foreign language. Despite my initial struggles, I proudly took it and showed myself once again what I’m capable of and what I’m made for.I know I will not become a millionaire just because I took the Seal of Biliteracy assessment. But I’m 100% sure that if I put a lot of effort in each step of my life, I will be a successful person. I’m not talking about money; I’m talking about abilities and experiences. Taking the Seal of Biliteracy exam was my first step to hurdle my way through life to achieve all my dreams.
A person’s identity shifts depending on the context of any given situation. This is also true in relation to the languages a person speaks and who they are interacting with.
