Thank you for your interest in partnering with We Speak NYC (WSNYC), a program developed and administered by the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA). We look forward to partnering with you to empower immigrant New Yorkers. Please review the information listed below and visit our website to learn more: www.nyc.gov/wespeaknyc

We Speak NYC (WSNYC) - (formerly We Are New York) is New York City’s free English language learning program that provides civic focused multimedia resources created to empower adult immigrants through learning and practicing everyday English. Our resources include an Emmy-Award winning educational drama series that informs learners about important New York City resources. The episodes address issues that most concern immigrants such as health care, democracy, education, immigration legal help, elder care, and managing finances.

We Speak NYC provides digital and/or printed materials for use in our conversation classes. Each episode is accompanied by a robust workbook with vocabulary, reading and writing exercises for students to use as a self study tool, or for conversation class facilitators to use as a supplement to their class activities in and/or outside the classroom. Additionally, we have a website that includes all our episodes and materials as well as additional interactive activities to help learners practice at home and teacher resources for educators including a facilitator handbook, episode study guides and an extensive set of curriculum materials.

We Speak NYC classes currently run through four cycles a year in line with the seasons:

• Winter Session - Classes start in January and run through March/April
• Spring Session - Classes start in April and run through June
• Summer Session - Classes start in July and run through September
• Fall Session - Classes start in October and run through late Nov/early Dec

• Recruit and retain a minimum of 15-20 adult learners
  • Actively promote and conduct outreach in your community to recruit enough learners to conduct your class
  • Continue recruitment and outreach efforts throughout the cycle. Attendance may fluctuate throughout the cycle and you will need to continually promote your classes and send reminders to students. (WSNYC can provide sample reminder email templates to retain students upon request)
  • Ensure that the level of the learners recruited matches the level of materials used which is geared towards high beginner to solid intermediate
  • We are actively developing a beginner class curriculum

• Note any language requirements on your application
  • If a majority of your learners speak one language, you may request a volunteer facilitator who also speaks the same language. Since volunteer facilitators are not required to speak other languages, the We Speak NYC team will do their best at placing a volunteer facilitator who speaks the chosen language, however, we cannot guarantee this since all volunteers may not be available at the time and dates of your scheduled course. (WSNYC volunteer availability is subject to change every cycle)

• Maintain a regular schedule to host the conversation group each week
  • Classes are 2 hours/week. The time and day of the class is up to your discretion. However, we encourage you to keep in mind the schedules of the constituents in your community that you aim to attract.
  • Provide a class calendar with expected start and end dates in which class will be held as well as any days classes will be canceled/postponed (due to holidays or special events that you have)
  • Inform WSNYC team at least three days before if the class needs to be canceled

• Provide an appropriate, consistent, and safe classroom environment, Online and In-Person.
  
  
  • Ensure the classroom space, whether an online platform link (if online) or physical site location (if in person) for your learners remains consistent and does not change from week to week.
  • Ensure you have access to internet/wifi to access our online content and materials.
  • Ensure you have a projector, television or means of displaying the episode and materials (if in person).
  • Ensure your space has room for social distancing and keeps up with new requirements as provided by NYC Health Dept (DOHMH) as they emerge (if in person).

• Attendance and Reporting
  • Keep account of attendance throughout the cycle by recording number of participants present in each class, and if possible the names and emails of those participants
    • This will allow us to create certificates for eligible learners (those who have joined half the weeks or more)
    • This will also allow us to keep track of our programs impact in the community

• Administer a Post survey provided by WSNYC to learners, volunteer facilitators and partner sites to help the We Speak NYC program evaluate performance, community needs, and better understand how to improve service delivery.
  • Surveys are conducted online and available in 13 languages for learners and in English for facilitators and host organizations

• Staff & Volunteer facilitation training and/or a trained WSNYC volunteer facilitator to lead courses
• Promotion of your online or in-person course on our website and to our network
• Free online classroom teaching materials for each WSNYC episodes
• Provide technical and curriculum support throughout the cycle
• A dedicated Zoom link and log-in information for your course to take place each week (upon request)
• A network of organizations hosting online classes and facilitation support