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

ACTFL Guidelines and Standards (actfl.org)

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