Big Apple public schools are going to become a bit more of a melting pot — at least linguistically.
Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña will unveil a plan Monday to open 38 bilingual programs at city schools starting in September, the Daily News has learned.
This includes 29 new Dual Language programs that will include classes taught in Chinese, French, Haitian Creole, Arabic, Polish and Spanish — with English used on alternating days.
Students in these classes will study traditional subjects such as math and science, but they will do so in languages other than English. Others will receive tutoring in English.
The lessons are meant for native English speakers as well as those who are learning the language for the first time, said Fariña, whose parents were immigrants from Spain.
“As a former English language learner, I know that a strong education makes all the difference,” Fariña said. “These new bilingual programs will give students the foundation to succeed in the classroom and in the job market.”
City education officials said about 1,200 kids will enroll in the new classes. Teachers at participating schools will get additional training and classroom resources.
The classes will be funded with roughly $1 million in federal funds and build on 40 bilingual programs that opened at city schools this past September.
The new programs will open in schools of all levels across all five boroughs. The city currently boasts 182 Dual Language programs in 154 public schools.
Port Richmond High School in Staten Island will host one of the new programs beginning in September. Principal Timothy Gannon said about 30 students will enroll in the school’s first Dual Language course. “We are a very diverse community and this is a great academic program that celebrates diversity,” Gannon said. “It gives us an opportunity to celebrate two cultures together.”
Gannon said that about 45% of the 1,600 kids enrolled at Port Richmond High identify themselves as Hispanic. About 6% of his students are English language learners and most of those kids are Spanish speakers.
Port Richmond can build connections between students with the program, Gannon said.
“The Dual Language program allows kids of Spanish backgrounds to learn on equal ground with English speakers,” Gannon said. “It brings about a great collaboration between the kids.”
