Graduating First 5th Grade Cohort in French-English Bilingual Schools

For the first time in the history of dual-language programs in New York, a graduation ceremony for the bilingual students of P.S. 58 and P.S. 84 took place on June 19 at the Consulate General of France hosted by Consul General Bertrand Lortholary, Antonin Baudry, Cultural Counselor to the French Embassy, and myself. There were 59 fifth grade students, their parents, their teachers and members of the French community in attendance to celebrate the end of the academic year as well as the graduation of the middle school bound students. The ceremony was the culmination of a wave of dual-language programs opening in New York and throughout the United States, often in response to parents and educators who devote themselves to bilingualism and the French language. Both schools represented received a seal of approval from the French Government, the Label FrancEducation. Continue reading “Graduating First 5th Grade Cohort in French-English Bilingual Schools”

[FR] Dossier New York – L’invasion du français : interview dans Le Nouvel Observateur

J’ai récemment été interviewé pour un article paru dans le Nouvel Observateur au sujet du bilinguisme et du développement des filières bilingues français-anglais à New York depuis quelques années. Un portrait paru dans le dossier spécial réalisé sur New York. Continue reading “[FR] Dossier New York – L’invasion du français : interview dans Le Nouvel Observateur”

“Astoria Mom Looks to Start French Dual-Language Program in Queens” on DNA Info

The dual language program initiative in Astoria, Queens is featured in this article by DNAInfo New York. Local moms are trying to open a French dual language program in a public school in Astoria.

Families who want to get in touch with Diana Limongi, featured in the article,  can e-mail her at duallanguage.astoria@gmail.com.
Continue reading ““Astoria Mom Looks to Start French Dual-Language Program in Queens” on DNA Info”

[video] “Parlez-vous français?” on Independent Sources / CUNY TV

On this edition of Independent Sources, you can find out what’s behind the growing number of French dual language programs in New York City public schools, with interviews of Talcott Camp (Board Member, Education Française à New York – EFNY), Hélène Conway-Mouret, Minister of French Natinonals Abroad, Jeffrey S. Perl (Principal, M.S 256 Academic & Athletic Excellence), Pascale Setbon (Founder, The Language and Laughter Studio) and myself, as the Education attaché of the Cultural Services of the French Embassy. Continue reading “ “Parlez-vous français?” on Independent Sources / CUNY TV”

[video] Conference “Living with Two languages: the Advantages of Being Bilingual”

What’s the best age to start and master a new language? Are bilingual students smarter? Does knowing two languages offer advantages in learning how to read, write and do math? Does being bilingual have an impact on our personal and emotional development? These themes, and many more, were addressed during the daylong conference, Living with Two Languages: the Advantages of Being Bilingual, at the Lycée Français de New York on Saturday, April 13. Experts from the United States, France and Canada, including renowned researchers, Ofelia García and Ellen Bialystok, author Karen Le Billon, and chef Eric Ripert, explored bilingualism from the perspectives of education, sociology, psychology and gastronomy. Continue reading “ Conference “Living with Two languages: the Advantages of Being Bilingual””

The French “Bilingual Revolution”

Two New York City public schools have been selected by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs to receive the newly created “FrancEducation Label” which recognizes their outstanding efforts to promote and develop the French language.  These schools, P.S. 58 in Brooklyn and P.S. 84 in Manhattan will join a select group of eight schools world wide to receive this prestigious honor. The “Label” (pronounce it like ¨La Belle¨) FrancEducation is a formal accreditation provided to schools that offer a French bilingual program without following the French National curriculum. These schools will be able to benefit from this official recognition by the French government, an endorsement that helps showcase their achievements. The FrancEducation Label will also provide additional access to such resources as teacher development programs, special grant programs, and partnership opportunities. Continue reading “The French “Bilingual Revolution””

[FR] NewYorkInFrench.net – Un réseau social pour la francophonie à New York (Radio France Internationale)

Retrouvez ci-dessous mon article “NewYorkInFrench.net – Un réseau social pour la francophonie à New York” publié dans le magazine Francophonie de Radio France Internationale. Le magazine est disponible au format pdf ici : RFIFrancophonie131 (l’article est en page 7). Continue reading “[FR] NewYorkInFrench.net – Un réseau social pour la francophonie à New York (Radio France Internationale)”

Délégation des directeurs des écoles publiques de New York en visite à Paris et à Montpellier

Pour la première fois, une délégation officielle de directeurs d’écoles publiques de la ville de New York s’est rendue en France pour discuter de la manière de créer de nouveaux partenariats éducatifs à travers des jumelages scolaires et des échanges entre écoles publiques françaises et américaines. La délégation a rencontré des hauts fonctionnaires des ministères de l’Éducation et des Affaires Étrangères à Paris, ainsi que le sénateur Louis Duvernois qui a invité les directeurs pour un petit-déjeuner au Sénat français. La délégation s’est ensuite rendue à Montpellier, dans le sud-ouest de la France, pour rencontrer des écoles partenaires.

Continue reading “Délégation des directeurs des écoles publiques de New York en visite à Paris et à Montpellier”

Delegation of NYC Public School Principals Visits Paris and Montpellier

For the first time in the history of New York public schools, an official delegation of  school principals traveled to France to discuss how to create new educational partnerships through school pairings and exchanges between French and American public schools. The delegation met with high-level government officials from the Ministries of Education and Foreign Affairs in Paris, as well as with Senator Louis Duvernois who invited the delegation for breakfast at the French Senate. The delegation then headed to Montpellier in southwestern France to meet with partner schools. Continue reading “Delegation of NYC Public School Principals Visits Paris and Montpellier”