Chinatown Schools To Receive Chinese Language Programs

CHINATOWN, NY — Two Chinatown schools will add Chinese language programs next year as part of a citywide expansion of resources for students learning English.

Chinese language programs and accompanying $10,000 grants are coming to P.S. 124, the Yung Wing School, and P.S. 126, the Manhattan Academy of Technology, next year as part of the citywide rollout. Carmen Fariña, the chancellor of the city's education department, announced last week that 68 new programs would come to schools in all five boroughs in the fall. In total, the new language programs will cost $1.1 million.

Both Chinatown schools are getting what are known as "transitional bilingual education" (TBE) programs. In the Chinese TBE programs coming to both schools, students will receive instruction in Chinese with "intensive support" in English. Students will gradually "receive more instruction in English" and less in Chinese until they are proficient in English, according to the city's education department. The TBE program comes with a $10,000 planning grant funded by a federal education program.

The TBE program is one of two initiatives the city offers to students learning English. The other, known as a dual language program, has classes composed of English-proficient students and students learning English.

The Yung Wing School, located at 40 Division St., is an elementary school, and the Manhattan Academy of Technology, located at 80 Catherine St., is an elementary and middle school. The full list of language programs coming to New York City public schools is available here.

Lead image via Shutterstock.