Mission:

The Foreign Language/ESL Department believes in maintaining the heritage and native languages of the students while helping them learn a new language. The ability to communicate in a second language enables us to know the hopes, dreams and visions of others around the world. The study of foreign languages prepares today’s youth for tomorrow’s opportunities by supporting basic skills instruction, developing cross-cultural understanding and preparing our youth to enter the global marketplace. The diverse needs of the multi-lingual LEP population is served by the Foreign Language/ESL Department through a committed and trained staff, appropriate instructional programs and materials. In an effort to facilitate the academic progress of these students as their English skills develop, support services and staff development workshops are provided. The Foreign Language/ESL Department is constantly revising and updating its curriculums to address the needs of the ever-changing student population. The New York City Performance Standards and the New York City Curriculum Frameworks institute a set of expectations for all students. The ESL/Foreign Language teachers increasingly exert themselves in making our students proficient in two languages. Our aim is to assist our ESL population to pass the Comprehensive English Regents Examination, in addition to our other Language Regents. As a result, the department not only provides students with the opportunity to learn the four language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing), but it also teaches awareness, knowledge and appreciation of other cultures. Our city has grown to be more multi-cultural, multi-lingual than ever. It goes without saying that the knowledge of another language only adds to our students’ marketability and value as employees.