Dual Language Program
Q412/Z097 is proud to be the first Mosaic Pre-K Center to offer a Dual Language Program!
A Dual Language program can be extremely beneficial for young learners. Early learners have an easier time learning a new language over teenagers and adults!
Learning two languages can:
- help children develop strong thinking skills
- help children gain new skills, and show better self-control
- help children maintain a strong bond with their family, culture, and community
- help children learn about other cultures
- help children have increased job opportunities as an adult
What is a Pre-K Dual Language program?
Dual Language programs provide instruction in two languages: English and a target language. The goal of Pre-K Dual Language programs is for students to experience high-quality early learning in both English and the target language.
Dual Language programs enroll a mix of children whose home language is English and children whose home language is the target language. Students support one another’s language development by talking to their friends and teachers in both languages.
What are the target languages offered in pre-K Dual Language programs?
Our program offers Spanish as the target language.
Other languages offered throughout different DL programs across NYCPS are:
- Arabic/العربية
- Bengali / বাাংলা
- Chinese / 中文
- French / Français
- Greek / Ελληνικά
- Haitian Creole / Kreyòl Ayisyen
- Hebrew / עברית
- Italian / Italiano
- Korean / 한국어
- Russian / Pусский
What does instruction look like in a Pre-K Dual Language classroom?
In New York City’s Dual Language pre-K classrooms, teachers spend half of the time teaching in English and half of the time teaching in the target language over the course of the year.
Our program conducts one full day in English and the next full day in the target language (Spanish)
In all Dual Language programs, children are encouraged to explore and practice their full language capabilities and vocabulary during all parts of instruction.
What are the Core Principles for supporting Emergent Multilingual Learners?
- A child’s home language is an integral cultural asset that should be honored, sustained, and reflected in the classroom and program environment.
- Introducing the home language for instruction and programming enriches learning, supports English language acquisition, and promotes multilingualism.
- Programs encourage families to sustain their home language and use their home language for learning activities.
- Lifelong multilingualism is beneficial and desirable for all individuals.
- Everyone in the program environment makes a commitment to adopt multilingual approaches.