Schools chancellor announces expansion of dual-language programs citywide

Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña on Monday, April 4 announced the addition of 38 new bilingual programs across all five boroughs for the 2016-2017 school year.

The expansion includes 29 Dual Language and nine Transitional Bilingual Educational programs, to be implemented across 36 schools and serve more than 1,200 students citywide.

“The strength of New York City comes from our tremendous diversity. Not only do our students and families thrive through bilingual programs and by learning a new language and culture – the entire city does,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “These 38 programs build on last year’s Dual Language expansion that is increasing opportunity for students across the city. We’re giving students the tools they need to be successful, and that starts in the classroom with programs like these.”

“As a former English Language Learner, I know that a strong education makes all the difference, and these new bilingual programs will give students the foundation to succeed in the classroom and beyond,” added Fariña. “Speaking multiple languages is a tremendous asset for students, families, schools and our entire city, and it is my goal to expand these programs further. Through their participation in these programs, students will learn new cultures and parents will be welcomed into classrooms in different ways.”

In total, Brooklyn will see 17 new Dual Language programs and four new Transitional Bilingual Educational programs.

While the majority of the programs will focus on languages like Chinese or Spanish, schools like P.S. 276 in Battery Park City and M.S. 61 in Crown Heights will allow students to explore Haitian Creole. P.S. 34 in Greenpoint will offer Polish and the School for International Studies in Cobble Hill will offer French.

In addition, two Brooklyn schools are opening two programs at once. P.S. 169 in Sunset Park will unveil two Dual Language programs – one in Spanish and one in Chinese – and Bushwick’s P.S. 151 will open both a Dual Language and a Transitional Bilingual Educational program in Spanish.

“We are a multilingual community – almost half of all households in Brooklyn speak a language other than English at home,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams. “I have always aspired to learn another language myself. As our students learn multiple languages in school, they will have the opportunity to expand their participation in our multilingual, multiethnic community and truly become global citizens with boundless potential.”

The 38 new programs will receive a total of $980,000 in funding, coming from the federal Title III Language Instruction for English Language Learners program.

For a full list of programs, click here.

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