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What is We Speak NYC?
We Speak NYC is a free English language learning program provided by the New York City Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs. Designed primarily for immigrants, the program offers civic-focused language instruction to help English Language Learners improve their communication skills while also gaining knowledge about accessing essential city services.
The program’s key features include engaging, high-quality video lessons that focus on practical, real-life scenarios faced by English Language Learners. Each episode from the We Speak NYC series is designed to improve English language skills through relatable stories about everyday challenges. These videos cover topics like navigating healthcare, education, workers’ rights, and more. After viewing, learners can engage with interactive resources, including:
Study Guides: For each video, there are accompanying study guides that contain the script, storyboards, and comprehension exercises. These guides can be used for self-study, allowing learners to engage in pre- and post-viewing activities to build language skills and better understand the video content.
Quizzes and Practice Activities: After watching the videos, learners can access a series of quizzes that help them test their understanding of the material and practice their English skills through various language exercises.
Civic Resources: These resources provide information about free city services and civic engagement, which helps learners not only improve their language skills but also understand the services available to them in New York.
For additional information and an overview of the We Speak NYC website, programs, and services, check out this walkthrough video:
Each episode from the We Speak NYC series is designed to improve English language skills through relatable stories about everyday challenges.
Adapting We Speak NYC for Connecticut's Adult Learners
Educators in Connecticut can leverage We Speak NYC’s high-quality content while making it relevant to their learners' needs and community resources. Here are several ways educators can adapt and utilize these materials:
🏛️Encourage Civic Engagement: Use the videos as a way to teach English Language Learners about civic processes, like accessing healthcare or transportation. Educators can compare the services in the videos with similar services available in Connecticut. This comparative approach can help students learn both language and useful civic information specific to their context.
🗣️Discussion & Reflection: Teachers can play the videos and facilitate group discussions or debates. Learners can reflect on how similar issues—such as career preparation, immigration legal help, or mental health—are handled in their own communities. This approach encourages critical thinking and raises awareness of their local resources.
🗺️Identify Connecticut-Specific Resources: After watching the videos, teachers can provide learners with resources from Connecticut that offer similar services. For instance, if the video focuses on food help in NYC, educators can direct students to Connecticut nutrition assistance programs for more information specific to Connecticut.
🗨️Building Vocabulary: We Speak NYC’s resources are a great way to teach vocabulary related to public services. Connecticut educators can use the study guides and quizzes, adding local terms (like names of local agencies or towns) to help learners feel more connected to their communities.
💡Independent Learning Assignment: Assign videos for independent study, then ask students to research similar services in their towns. For example, after watching an episode on school resources, students can present their findings to the class, reinforcing both their language skills and understanding of local resources.
Ways to Connect Students with Local Resources
Join the Digital Navigator Training Day on October 25th, 2024 where we will introduce the Digital Navigator model and provide essential training, strategies, and resources to support the role within your agency.
The following sessions will build on the goals of the We Speak NYC curriculum by offering additional local resources and introducing EdTech tools to help curate and organize materials that support your agency's initiatives:
Closing the Gap: Digital Equity Services in CT | 10:10 - 11:10 AM | Register
Learn about the vital services and organizations available across Connecticut that can help your learners gain access to devices, the internet, and essential digital skills. This session will provide a curated list of resources that you can use to connect learners to the support they need.
Building Access: Designing a Tech Hub for Teachers and Learners | 2:30 - 3:30 PM | Register
Create a tech hub that aligns with the unique needs of your agency, ensuring equitable access to resources for all learners. This session will guide you in curating services and resources that provide digital equity and enhance support for teachers and adult learners.
Reminder: Schedule a Tech Implementation and Support Session for any questions or to explore ways to leverage technology in the classroom.
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