The American Council for Teacher of Foreign Languages defines native and heritage speakers in the following terms:

• "Native speakers (those raised in an environment using mainly a language other than English)" and
• "heritage speakers (those raised in an environment where the language was most likely spoken in the home)" (ACTFL, 2010).

We strongly encourage those students who possess language proficiency in a language other than English to strive towards earning the Alabama Seal of Biliteracy in that language. Please see the section "World Language Proficiency Test Options" for more information about available assessments.