Did you know that Spanish is spoken by over 43 million people at home across America? That’s about 14% of our population, making Spanish the most common non-English language in the country (U.S. Census, 2023). And it’s not just in homes – around 8 million students are studying Spanish in our schools and universities.
The workplace tells a similar story. And in the workforce, demand for bilingual employees—especially Spanish speakers—has more than doubled in the last decade.
But here’s the challenge: Spanish speakers come from incredibly diverse backgrounds.
A third-grade student in a dual language immersion program has very different needs from a heritage speaker who grew up interacting with Spanish at home. And both differ from a healthcare worker who needs Spanish to communicate with patients.
At Avant, we’ve created different Spanish assessment and learning tools for these varied needs. Our tests measure Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking skills in ways appropriate for different learners, providing schools and employers with practical information they can use. And our learning tools can provide support before, during, and after the tests.
Why Avant Works
- Pinpoint skill levels – Focus instruction where it matters most
- Connect learning environments – Enable smooth transitions between home, school, and workplace
- Ensure fair assessment – Provide equitable opportunities for all learners to demonstrate their true language abilities
- Focus on real-world language – Assess and enable authentic communication, not test-taking tricks or rote memorization
That’s why Avant offers a variety of Spanish assessments and learning opportunities—so every learner, no matter their background, can be supported and empowered in their language journey. What’s more, teachers have the know-how to engage every learner.
Meet Avant’s Spanish Tests
Avant STAMPe
Our developmentally and linguistically appropriate assessment created specifically for elementary-age learners. STAMPe is used in dual language immersion and schools with ages 12 and younger to demonstrate progress and inform instruction year after year.
Avant STAMP 4S Spanish
The most comprehensive assessment for Spanish learners ages 13 and older. STAMP 4S Spanish is used as a benchmark and progress monitoring tool. It is also recommended for school credit and higher education course placement.
Avant STAMP أحادي اللغة
Accurately assess incoming heritage speakers, provide credit for a heritage language, or establish proficiency levels with a test delivered with the instructions, questions, and prompts entirely in Spanish.
Avant اختبار اللغة الإسبانية التراثية (SHL)
Quickly and accurately places Spanish heritage speakers into the appropriate courses. The Avant SHL Test highlights each test taker’s strengths in key academic language areas unique to Spanish heritage speakers, including vocabulary, grammar, verb use, spelling, speaking, and writing.
Avant STAMP محترف
For professionals and businesses needing to verify language skills in a workplace setting. In today’s interconnected world, businesses are increasingly seeking bilingual and multilingual talent to navigate global markets.
Avant PLACE
A placement test that helps educators determine the right Spanish course level for incoming students.
Avant STAMP Medical
Specifically designed for medical professionals to evaluate Spanish language proficiency in healthcare settings.
When to Choose SHL vs. Monolingual
Understanding the difference between these two tests is crucial for meeting your assessment needs:
Use STAMP Monolingual when:
- Learners understand Spanish better than English
- Testing instructions in English would be a barrier to demonstrating true Spanish ability
- The focus is on measuring Spanish proficiency (not English comprehension)
- Accurate proficiency measurement is the primary goal
Use the SHL Test when:
- You need to place heritage speakers into appropriate course levels
- Spanish academic skills assessment is needed for proper placement
- Focus is on identifying strengths in vocabulary, grammar, and academic language
- The primary goal is placement rather than proficiency assessment
The best way to determine which test is appropriate is to have potential test takers try both sample tests and see which format they find more accessible.
The Power of STAMP Monolingual
Avant STAMP Monolingual addresses the critical concept of construct validity – ensuring we’re measuring Spanish proficiency, not English comprehension. As one Avant specialist explains, “The main idea is the ability to comprehend the instructions, so they are not a barrier.”
The Spanish Monolingual test was designed for students in 7th grade (age 13) and above who understand written instruction in Spanish better than in English. It includes instructions, questions, and prompts all in the target language, making it ideal for native or heritage speakers with limited English proficiency.
This established solution offers several key benefits:
- Designed for Accessibility: Questions and prompts entirely in Spanish ensure instructions don’t create a barrier to demonstrating proficiency
- Aligned to Proficiency Standards: Uses authentic texts and audio from real-world sources
- Computer-Adaptive Assessment: Tailors difficulty to allow test takers to reach their highest potential
Helping Heritage Speakers Succeed with SHL
The Avant SHL Test measures vocabulary, grammar, verb use, spelling, and speaking and writing proficiency in Spanish appropriate for the wide range of Spanish spoken in the US. A heritage learner may speak the language easily but lack academic vocabulary and formal language structures.
The SHL offers unique advantages:
- Three-Stage Adaptive Test: Allows lower-level learners to be placed quickly
- Fast and Accessible Results: Immediate results for objective skills
- Place with Confidence: Suggested placement levels based on each student’s results
Spanish in the Workplace
For businesses, relying on subjective evaluations to assess candidates’ Spanish proficiency can lead to costly hiring mistakes. Subjective assessments often suffer from inconsistent standards, unconscious biases, and limited scope.
Avant STAMP Pro eliminates these pitfalls by providing a standardized, objective assessment of a candidate’s Spanish skills, measuring their ability to understand spoken and written Spanish, use Spanish in various contexts, and express themselves naturally in conversation.
Why Targeted Assessment Makes a Difference
Using tests designed for specific Spanish learner groups helps in many ways:
- Get the Full Picture: Capture what learners can do with the language in real settings
- Teach What Matters: Focus on the skills learners need most
- Fair Assessment for All: Remove language barriers so students can show their true Spanish abilities
- Smart Resource Use: Make better decisions about staffing, training, and program design
- Prove Program Success: Show stakeholders that your language program is working
Beyond Assessment: From Data to Development
Avant’s commitment doesn’t end with high-quality language assessments. We understand that what comes after the test is just as important as the test itself. That’s why we offer Avant MORE Learning and innovations like Mira Coach+—so educators can use assessment data not just to measure, but to meaningfully grow their students’ language proficiency.
Making Assessment Data Actionable with Avant MORE Learning
Avant MORE Learning offers educators the support, strategies, and professional learning needed to make the most of Spanish assessment data. Whether you’re working with dual language immersion students, heritage speakers, or Spanish learners in secondary or postsecondary settings, Avant MORE Learning provides:
- Targeted Data Interpretation Workshops to understand results from STAMP 4S, SHL, Monolingual, and STAMPe
- Instructional Strategy Sessions to align classroom practices with real student performance on Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking tasks
- Support for Differentiation across proficiency bands, helping teachers tailor instruction to Novice, Intermediate, or Advanced-level learners
- Program Development Guidance, using aggregated data to identify gaps, track progress, and build a more equitable, effective language program
These services enable teachers and school leaders to go beyond the score reports—to translate data into actionable next steps for instruction, student support, and program advocacy.
A Training Ground Between Assessments: Mira Coach+
To support continued growth between assessment windows, Mira Coach+ offers a powerful new tool for Spanish and English language learners. Designed for Novice-High to Advanced-Mid learners (CEFR A1–B2), Coach+ acts as a personalized language partner that supports skill-building and structured speaking practice, even when class time is limited.
Coach+ is ideal for:
- Spanish learners needing oral practice aligned to STAMP tasks
- Heritage speakers strengthening formal communication skills
- English learners from Spanish-speaking backgrounds preparing for academic language demands
- Classrooms and teachers with mixed-ability learners who need more personalized practice opportunities
Key features of Coach+:
- Progressive Curriculum: Conversations grow with learners’ skills and align with both NCSSFL-ACTFL and CEFR levels.
- Safe, Structured Speaking Practice: Built-in “bumpers” keep learners on task and within acceptable language limits.
- Built-In Student Choice: Engaging, relevant topics drive motivation and authentic language use.
- Real-Time Data Dashboard: Helps teachers monitor how language use evolves, not just what students say.
- English and Spanish Support: Coach+ serves both Spanish learners and Spanish-speaking English learners.
Used between assessments, Coach+ keeps learners advancing, so that by the time they test again, their growth is measurable—and meaningful. Combine Coach+ with assessment, and students get consistent oral practice, teachers gain visibility into progress, and instruction becomes more personalized.
From Growth to Recognition
By combining targeted assessment, ongoing skill-building through Coach+, and data-driven instruction via Avant MORE Learning, educators can guide their learners toward high levels of Spanish proficiency. These tools not only support academic and professional goals but also set the stage for recognition programs like the State and Global Seals of Biliteracy, turning classroom progress into tangible opportunities.
A Full-Circle Ecosystem for Your Spanish Program
At Avant, we believe in offering choices that fit your specific needs. Avant offers a full-circle ecosystem for you and your learners, whether they are elementary or heritage learners, second-language students, or professionals seeking certification.
Ready to find the right Spanish resources for your program? Request a quote or contact us to discuss which Avant Spanish assessment fits your needs.
