Bilingual Programs

Bilingual education, or the instruction of content and language, in both English and a home language is a powerful way for students to maintain and extend their home language and acquire a new one. Forty-one percent of New York City public school students speak a language other than English at home, representing a total of more than 150 languages.

The Bilingual Education programs at Brooklyn College prepare teacher candidates and practicing teachers to be effective, exemplary, and reflective bilingual teachers in multilingual and diverse urban communities. Through course work that includes bilingualism and methods of teaching bilingual students in the content areas, future bilingual teachers are equipped with theory and gain practical skills in working with bilingual students. One of the strengths of our program offerings is the partnerships we have with dual language schools throughout Brooklyn.

We currently have the following program offerings:

I. Advanced Certificate in Bilingual Extension

Fifteen credits of course work (five courses) are required to earn the Advanced Certificate Program in Bilingual Extension. This certificate can be completed in one academic year. Courses include work in multiculturalism, bilingualism, and practices in teaching students across the content areas using the home and new languages. Partially online. Designed for all initial certificates. Partnership with Speech and Language Pathology.

II. M.A. in Bilingual Education

This program consists of 36 credits and provides teachers with the background and skills in working with a diversity of emergent bilingual students in urban settings. Applicants who do not possess certification must complete an additional 18 credits before starting the M.A. program. Fieldwork required for all students.

The Subsidized Bilingual Extension Program (SBEP) is a partnership with the NYDOE which offers currently certified content and classroom teachers the opportunity to gain a bilingual extension for their current New York State certification.

Languages at the Graduate Level

Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin), Arabic, French, Haitian-Creole, Russian.

More Information

For more information, contact the Bilingual Program coordinator, Laura Ascenzi-Moreno.