September 30, 2022
10am-2pm EST
Goethe-Institut New York
30 Irving Place

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Participation is free of charge and prior registration is required

Networking and information fair for stakeholders in the educational community in NY, NJ, PA and EU Institutions of Culture (EUNIC).

Join us for a conversation on ‘Promoting the Pathways to Biliteracy in Polish American Institutions‘ at 12:50am-12:20pm. We will speak with representatives from Instytut Józefa Piłsudskiego w Ameryce, Polish Suplementary School Council of America (Centrala Polskich Szkół Dokształcających w Ameryce), and Polish Sunday School affiliated with the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in NY (Szkoła Polska przy Konsulacie Generalnym RP w Nowym Jorku).

The EU National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC NY) are dedicating their annual event in observance of the European Day of Languages to the Seal of Biliteracy. The Seal of Biliteracy, officially recognized in 49/50 US states, is awarded to students who have attained a high level of proficiency in two or more world languages(one of which must be English) by high school graduation.This networking event, part conference, part information fair, is organized in collaboration with the NY State Education Department and NYC Department of Education. It is designed to bring together the education, cultural and diplomatic community in and around NYC/NYS in support of the Seal.

EUNIC – European Union National Institutes for Culture – is a global network of European organizations. To date there are125 clusters represented in 90 countries. In NYC, the EUNIC cluster consists of 22 regular members and 18 associated members. Its aim is to promote European values, share knowledge, build capacity among members and partners, and engage local partners in dialogue and common cultural projects. 

The Seal of Biliteracy is an award given by a high school, school district or county office of education in the US that formally recognizes students who have attained a high level of proficiency in two or more world languages (one of which must be English) by high school graduation. The Seal prepares students with global literacy skills and to affirm the value of diversity in a multilingual society.

Although more and more students earn the Seal of Biliteracy each year in New York State, less than five percent of graduating high school seniors are awarded the Seal. 

This event, part conference, part information fair, part networking event, is organized by EUNIC institutions in collaboration with NYSED (Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages) and NYCDOE (Division of Multilingual Learners) in observance of the European Day of Languages, which is celebrated worldwide every year at the end of September. 

Designed to bring together stakeholders in the educational community in the tristate area (NY, NJ, PA) and representatives of EU National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC), with this event we intend to start a conversation about how we can join forces and share resources in support of the Seal of Biliteracy. 

Who should attend? Decision makers at Department of Education, superintendents, principals, world language advisors, world language teachers and anyone who is interested in establishing the Seal of Biliteracy at their school. 

Participating institutions: EU Delegation to the United Nations, Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany NY, Goethe-Institut NY, Consulate General of Switzerland in NY, Romanian Cultural Institute, Instituto Cervantes, Consulate General of Spain, Education Office, Polish Cultural Institute, Camoes Institute, Consolato Generale d`Italia NY, Istituto Italiano di Cultura, Consulate General of France in NY, French Institute Alliance Francaise, Consulate General Portugal NY, FACE- Foundation,  Delegation of Flanders to the USA, Consulate General of Estonia, New York State Education Department (Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages), NYC Department of Education (Division of Multilingual Learners), NYS Statewide Language Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network (RBERN), NY State Association for Bilingual Education, Duolingo, Imagine Learning.