Eugene, Oregon – April 23, 2025 – Avant, a leader in language proficiency testing, was a pioneer in delivering the world’s first online language proficiency test, STAMP, and is now evolving to meet the growing demand for multilingual education.
For nearly 25 years, Avant has set the standard in language proficiency assessment with its flagship STAMP test and widely trusted certification programs.
Now, Avant is broadening its focus to support learners at every stage of their language learning journey. The company is expanding its “Learn, Assess, Certify” solutions, providing students, educators, and employers with a comprehensive platform to strengthen language instruction and learning outcomes.
As part of this transformation, Avant is rebranding to reflect its expanded role in language learning and introducing new, innovative AI-driven solutions that complement its trusted assessments and globally recognized certifications.
“Avant is evolving rapidly to meet the real needs of today’s learners…”
David Bong
Avant Introduces Mira Coach+, a Personalized AI-Powered Language Learning Solution
Leading this evolution is the launch of Mira Coach+, an AI-powered personalized language learning tool that delivers instant feedback on contextual language use and vocabulary. Designed for learners aged 13+, Mira Coach+ is currently available in Spanish and English. The program will expand to additional languages later this year.
“The stakes have never been higher for ensuring that we can truly understand each other.”
David Bong
“Language can connect or divide us,” said David Bong, Founder and CEO of Avant. “The stakes have never been higher for ensuring that we can truly understand each other. That is why Avant is committed to transforming how we learn and teach languages. For over two decades, we’ve led the way in language proficiency testing. Now, we’re expanding our offerings to support students and educators through every stage of their language learning journey.”
Through Avant Learn, the company is launching personalized and interactive learning experiences like Mira Coach+ that provide immersive simulations and task-based activities. Avant MORE Learning offers professional development programs to help educators and administrators implement effective proficiency-based language instruction.
Avant Assess remains the trusted standard in real-world proficiency testing. The flagship STAMP (STAndards-based Measurement of Proficiency) assessment supports better language-learning outcomes, strengthens language programs, and enables credentialing. Avant now offers computer-adaptive language proficiency tests in more than 140 languages, all of which have been recommended for college credit by the American Council on Education. In 2024 alone, Avant supported over 500,000 test takers across 27 countries.
Through Avant Certify, learners can validate their language skills via the independent, open-standard Global Seal of Biliteracy, which recognizes proficiency results from tests administered by 47 approved organizations worldwide.
To drive this next phase of innovation, the company has strengthened its leadership team by appointing technology industry veteran Joe Hyrkin to its board and promoting Yalan King to President of Mira, where she will lead the company’s AI-driven learning advancements.
“We’ve seen how technology can unlock new ways of learning and assessing language skills…”
David Bong
Meeting the Demand for Multilingual Skills
The global demand for multilingual skills is growing rapidly. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of people speaking a language other than English at home has nearly tripled since 1980. A recent UNESCO report, Languages Matter, Global Guidance on Multilingual Education highlights the importance of integrating multilingualism in education systems worldwide.
As businesses, schools, and communities increasingly recognize the value of multilingualism, the need for integrated real-world solutions continues to grow. Avant meets this demand through strategic partnerships that bridge educational, professional, and community needs. Avant works with thousands of U.S. school districts and global institutions.
A collaboration with Duolingo, for example, uses the Avant STAMP test to help evaluate the effectiveness of Duolingo’s powerful language learning tools, while workforce initiatives such as proficiency testing for law enforcement demonstrate Avant’s relevance in applied, real-world contexts.
“We’ve seen how technology can unlock new ways of learning and assessing language skills. Avant is evolving rapidly to meet the real needs of today’s learners, leveraging AI and other technologies while maintaining the human spirit that has always been the heart of the company,” said David Bong.
