The following list is grouped by major organizations in our field and provides standards that language teachers and programs are expected to follow.

ACTFL World Readiness Standards

https://www.actfl.org/resources/world-readiness-standards-learning-languages

ACTFL Performance Descriptors
https://www.actfl.org/publications/guidelines-and-manuals/actfl-performance-descriptors-language-learners
Descriptions of Interpersonal, Interpretive, and Presentational communication at Novice, Intermediate, and High ranges. Download the full document for free from this page.

ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines
https://www.actfl.org/publications/guidelines-and-manuals/actfl-proficiency-guidelines-2012/
Describes levels (Novice/Intermediate/Advanced with Low/Mid/High). Note links to language-specific guidelines on left. Download the full document for free from this page.

ACTFL Global Can-Do Benchmarks
https://www.actfl.org/publications/guidelines-and-manuals/ncssfl-actfl-can-do-statements
Table of Can-Do benchmarks. Click on the colored circles for details and links to PDF descriptions. Download the full document for free from this page.

Intercultural Competence – ACTFL Can-Dos
extension://elhekieabhbkpmcefcoobjddigjcaadp/https://www.actfl.org/sites/default/files/can-dos/Intercultural%20Can-Do_Statements.pdf

ACTFL Guiding Principles for Language Learning
https://www.actfl.org/resources/guiding-principles-language-learning
Guide including key principles with explanations and examples. 

Interagency Language Roundtable Descriptors and Resources

ILR Interagency Language Roundtable
https://govtilr.org/
Descriptors and resources for military, foreign service, and other U.S. government entitities.

Intercultural Competence – ILR Standards
https://govtilr.org/Skills/Competence.htm

Council of Europe Frameworks and Policies

Council of Europe Language Policy Portal
https://www.coe.int/lang(this link opens in a new window/tab) 

Council of Europe > Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) Proficiency Scale
https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/level-descriptions

State Standards – Examples

Michigan DOE standards (Scroll down for World Language)
https://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,4615,7-140-28753_64839_65510—,00.html
Michigan’s standards – as an example. Every state is different, though many are explicitly aligned with ACTFL.

Guidelines for Language Programs

International Guidelines for Community-Based FLT
https://www.heritagelanguageschools.org/coalition/article/249073
Created by a task force of the Coalition for Community-Based Heritage Language Schools

NADSFL Principles of Effective World Language Programs
https://nadsfl.org/principles-of-effective-world-language-programs/
Created by a task force of the National Association of District Supervisors of Foreign Languages

Seal of Biliteracy

Seal of Biliteracy Implementation
https://sealofbiliteracy.org/index.php
Refer to requirements for earning the Seal of Biliteracy in each state. 

Global Seal of Biliteracy – Qualifying Assessments
https://theglobalseal.com/qualified-tests
Refer to requirements for earning the Global Seal of Biliteracy. 

Teacher Certification and Career Resources

Teacher Certification Degrees Guide
https://www.teachercertificationdegrees.com/
Guide to public school certification and teaching degrees in the U.S.