PS 101 Among Dozens Of Schools To Get Dual Language Programs Next Year

Thirty-eight new bilingual programs are coming to 36 New York City schools in time for the 2016-2017 school year and including one in our area.

Gravesend’s PS 101 The Verrazano School (2360 Benson Avenue) will incorporate a Mandarin Chinese dual language program for the coming year.

Principal Gregg Korrol described the school’s first program of its kind as a boon for both students and staff.

“Research has shown that children who speak two languages excel in thought process and flexibility of mind,” Korrol said in a statement. “The more expansive your vocabulary is, the better equipped you are to communicate and receive communication from others. Knowing two languages will expand that window even more, and help prepare our youngsters for a more connected global world.”

In neighboring Sunset Park, PS 169 Sunset Park, PS 506 School of Journalism and Technology, and Sunset Park Avenues Elementary School all got programs in Spanish and Mandarin.

Of the 38 new programs, 27 are in elementary schools, seven in middle schools, and four in high schools. Geographically, seven are in the Bronx, 21 in Brooklyn, seven in Queens, two in Manhattan, and one on Staten Island. The programs are in the following languages: Chinese, French, Haitian-Creole, Arabic, Polish, and Spanish.

The Department of Education (DOE) describes dual language classes as 50 percent of students who are English Language Learners and 50 percent of English-proficient students. Both groups of students receive instruction in English and a target language.

“These additional Dual Language programs will equip New York City students with the language skills they need in order to succeed in school and throughout their careers,” said City Council Education Committee Chair Daniel Dromm.