I have been fortunate to have had several of my books illustrated by the New York-based French artist, Raymond Verdaguer. I have always been inspired by his work and the beauty of his art. This blog post seeks to present this artist’s unique technique and approach, and encourage readers to pay closer attention to his work.
Continue readingCategory Archives: New York
Creating a Support Base for P.S. 147’s Japanese Dual-Language Program
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As discussed in my book The Bilingual Revolution, a critically important task for parents engaged in their school’s dual-language program is to create a support base in the community, such as influential individuals, business leaders, elected officials, and supportive organizations. These include local and global businesses, embassies and consulates, cultural centers serving a language or a country, foundations with a focus on education or community development, tourism offices, chambers of commerce that serve businesses from two or more countries, and heritage and cultural societies and federations.
Continue readingBook Launch of Die bilinguale revolution at the Goethe Institute
Early January, I launched the German version of The Bilingual Revolution, Die bilinguale revolution, Zweisprachigkeit und die Zukunft der Bildung, at the Goethe-Institut in New York. As most of parents in New York were registering their children to the Kindergarten classes, it was the occasion to speak about the German Dual Language Program at P.S. 18 Edward Bush located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The net proceeds from the evening were donated to the school’s emerging dual-language program.
Continue readingNew York City’s Arabic Dual-Language Program Is Thriving
P.S./I.S. 30 Mary White Ovington School in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn hosts New York City’s only Arabic dual-language program. From pre-K to 5th grade, and soon 8th grade, it is always a joy to see the children flourish in two languages. After several months of extensive collaboration and planning, the Arabic dual-language program at P.S./I.S.30 opened its doors in September 2013. The dual-language curriculum was designed as a split day, where morning classes are taught in Arabic and afternoon classes in English, or vice versa.
Continue readingInauguration of New Mural by French Artist Hervé Tullet at P.S 84
French artist Hervé Tullet has done it again! This time he has touched two school communities in Manhattan: P.S. 84 The Lillian Weber School of the Arts and Lafayette Academy (M.S. 256). Both schools boast a French dual-language program and now a beautiful collection of artworks painted by the entire community. Even an entire wall was unveiled, showing the impact of art in getting a community closer together.
Continue readingSylvia Wellhoëfer and the Bilingual Revolution in German
Sylvia Wellhoëfer is a German mom I met a few years ago in Brooklyn. With a group of parents she created NYC’s first German dual-language program and she was the inspiration for my chapter on German in my book, The Bilingual Revolution. One thing leading to another, we are launching this book’s German version at Goethe-Institut New York on January 8 (see Book release of Die bilinguale revolution). I am pretty sure this will trigger many more good things here and in Germany.
Book cover credit: Raymond Verdaguer
Book Release Die bilinguale revolution
Join me on Tuesday January 8, 2019 for the book launch of Die bilingualerevolution, Zweisprachigkeit und die Zukunft der Bildung at the Goethe Institut of NewYork.
The book will be available for purchase and I will sign copies.
All net proceeds of the evening will support the German Dual Language Program at P.S. 18 Edward Bush located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
The Japanese-English Dual Language Program in Bushwick, Brooklyn
Multilingual kids from all socio-economic and racial backgrounds thriving in a Japanese-English dual-language program. In Bushwick! In a public school! For free!
This is a no-brainer. Dual language programs are for everyone. They should be offered everywhere. And it shouldn’t be that complicated for parents and educators to create these programs. Read more about what it took to get the program started here. And watch a few videos from the school here
Book Talk at NYU’s Institute of French Studies
I enjoyed this talk with the students of the Institute of French Studies at New York University. I was invited by Prof. Frédéric Viguier who is encouraging his students to look into bilingual education and the impact it can have on various linguistic communities.
Continue readingTransforming Communities through Multilingualism with NYCDOE
I was thrilled to give two presentations during Transforming Communities through Multilingualism, a three-day seminar hosted by the New York City Department of Education on November 5 and 7, 2018. I was able to share my experiences about the importance of parents and grassroots efforts for New York’s multilingual learners. It was great to see old friends and meet new ones. Glad to bump into the inspiring Dr. José Medina. Congratulations to Cynthia Felix, Yalitza Vasquez Johnson, and the Division of English Language Learners & Student Support for organizing this seminar. It was a star-studded gathering with José Medina, Richard Carranza, Dr. Linda Chen, Kathleen Leos, Dr. Margarita Calderón, and many more.
I am even more convinced that NYC will gain tremendously from offering dual language programs in as many languages as possible. I believe bilingual education is for all. The time to do this is now! Being bilingual is the new norm and it must start with our youngest citizens.
Fabrice Jaumont 