The New York City Department of Education (DOE) continues to open French dual-language programs in September 2009.
In a dual-language class, half the children are native speakers of English and half native speakers of French (or whatever language is being taught). The instruction is also divided, some in English, some in French. This has the benefit of teaching English to immigrant students, and teaching a second language to native English speakers. All the children become bilingual and biliterate, learning to read, write, and speak in both languages.
Research has shown that after a few years, children in dual-language classes perform better academically than children in monolingual classes, even in English Language Arts.
Manhattan:
PS 84 (Upper West Side) Please contact Susan and Virgil de Voldere( susanandvirgil@gmail.com )
PS 125 (Morningside Heights; gifted and talented program and general education);contact Théo Chino of EFNY ( theo@theochino.com) or Claudette Lustin of the DOE (CLustin@schools.nyc.gov).
Brooklyn:
PS 58 (Carroll Gardens); please contact Catherine Poisson of EFNY (cpoisson@wesleyan.edu).
PS 151 (Astoria/Woodside); Please contact Hélène et Virginie (french_school_in_ny@hotmail.com)
Opening September 2009 for K and 1st grade
REGISTRATION MUST BE DONE BEFORE MAY 1st
Here also, parents and other EFNY volunteers play a key role. They identify potential host schools and work with school personnel to explore the possibility of creating a dual-language program. EFNY coordinates this work, promotes the benefits of dual-language instruction, demonstrates the demand for such programs to the DOE, and, in general, encourages the opening of new programs. EFNY is seeking a volunteer to coordinate its efforts in the area of dual-language and to share information and pedagogical techniques among the various programs.
If you might be interested, please contact us at dual.language@efny.net