Initially EFNY offered Saturday morning classes and French-language playgroups. It quickly became clear that from an educational perspective, these efforts were not sufficient. Children need to socialize in a language so that the language can truly become their own. At school age, bilingual children can lose their native language if it is not the dominant language in the world in which they live. It is also clear that children cannot successfully master the written language if they are not in a bilingual program that focuses on speaking, reading, and writing. True acquisition of a language requires sustained learning. Because of this, EFNY believes that innovative programs need to be created as part of the New York City public school system and continues to focus its efforts on both in-school and after school programs.

EFNY drew its inspiration from similar models in Miami and other cities. If these programs exist elsewhere? According to the most recent US Census, there are nearly 90,000 French-speaking people, of whom 12,500 are children between the ages of 5 and 17 years, within the five boroughs. New York City’s Department of Education has a very active dual-language (bilingual) division, with more than 60 schools specializing in Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Korean, or Haitian Creole. Why not French?

EFNY began consulting with parents, educators, French officials, and other New Yorkers, and now manages and/or promotes a variety of bilingual and bi-cultural programs in French within the public schools. EFNY works in collaboration with the New York City Department of Education and the French cultural and educational authorities, both of whom have been very receptive.

EFNY is a rallying point and a voice for families who share these linguistic objectives. EFNY programs exist only to the extent that they are initiated and organized by parents, to whom EFNY brings its support. If you wish to initiate a program or to obtain more information on an existing program or on a project in progress, please contact EFNY at info@efny.net, or subscribe to our email list. You can also offer your assistance in Get Involved!.

EFNY is undertaking an adventure that promises to be one of the most gratifying possible for any New York-based francophone or francophile family.