In New York City public schools, 176 different languages are spoken among the more than 1 million students. For 160,000 children, English is not their first language. New York’s Department of Education makes learning better for these students by providing dual-language programs. Students are taught in two languages, English and another one, like Russian or Chinese. Math, social studies, science and all other regular courses are taught in both languages. And they learn about the culture of the other country.

Milady Baez is Deputy Chancellor of English Language Learners and Student Support. She says these dual-language programs will help children succeed in the future. The jobs of the future require that our students know more than one language. They are going to be traveling abroad, they are going to be communicating with people from all over the world. This will open doors for them.” David A. Booty Middle School in Brooklyn offers dual language education in four languages: Russian, Mandarin, Spanish and Hebrew.