ABSTRACT
The study described in this chapter examines the perceptions of three recent high school graduates in Texas in regard to a dual language (DL) program and the Seal of Biliteracy initiative. DL programs aim at providing students with an academic experience that will allow them to fully develop bilingual and biliterate skills as well as cross-cultural competence. The Seal of Biliteracy recognizes students who have attained proficiency in two or more languages at the time of their graduation from high school. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with the DL program and ambiguous feelings toward the Seal of Biliteracy, a program of which they knew little. The combination of both, however, produced a strong motivating element and a sense of pride in their linguistic success.
