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Improving educational outcomes for Spanish-speakers in New York through native language and English as a second language multimedia resources.
In the first University alliance of its kind, New York University and the Steinhardt School inaugurated Plazas Comunitarias ("Community Town Squares") with a bi-national agreement signed by the Mexican goverment and NYU.
Plazas Comunitarias was launched at NYU's Metro Center as an initiative recommended by Dr. David Ramirez consultant, and Kevin Rocap of Long Island University's ProjectLEARN.
Plazas Comunitarias is an adult and youth education, work-force development, and lifelong learning iniative developed by Mexico's National Institute for Adult Education.
The Plazas Comunitarias initiative--a $4 million donation of resources/print and online to New York City and State--will make available Spanish language multimedia, technology-enhanced instructional materials, and computer training, free of charge, to Spanish-speakers throughout New York City.
What do research and practice tell us about native language instruction?
- Skills in the first language “transfer” to a second language, giving adults with academic skills in their first language an edge.
- Better academic “school skills” and content knowledge make adults more successful and efficient in learning a second language.
- Learning in the native language results in increased progress in English.
- Parents with higher levels of formal education are better prepared to support their children academically.
What does Plazas Comunitarias offer?
- Instruction and self-paced learning in Spanish, ESL, math, science, social studies, and GED, using print, multimedia and computers.
- Accreditation and certification of adult basic education, secondary and postsecondary education in Spanish.
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