New York Believes in Multilingualism

Goethe-Institut together with the association of European cultural institutes in New York, better known by its acronym EUNIC, celebrates the European Day of Languages with an event dedicated to the Seal of Biliteracy, a US federal program that 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 project - part conference, part information fair, part networking gathering – is organized in collaboration with the New York State Education Department and New York City Department of Education and brings together educators, decision-makers and policy specialists to discuss innovative, effective ways to promote multilingualism and foreign-language learning. Romania is represented  by Dr. Daiana Cuibus, Director General of the Romanian Language Institute, the principal state body overseeing the Romanian language programs abroad.

This free event will take place at the Goethe Institute New York on September 30 from 10 AM to 2 PM. Please register your attendance HERE.

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.

Dr. Daiana Theodora Cuibus is the Director of the Romanian Language Institute, an institution that manages and coordinates the activity of 54 academic programs in Romanian Language and Culture worldwide, as well as the teaching of Romanian Language and Culture for heritage K-12 students across Europe. In this capacity, Dr. Cuibus has expanded the existing programs and initiated an important number of pedagogical and research activities meant to liaise among universities, schools, diplomatic and governmental partners, and to promote the best pedagogical practices, as well as authentic intercultural communication. An accomplished academic herself, Dr. Cuibus holds an Associate Professor position in the Department of Romanian Language and General Linguistic, Faculty of Letters, Babeș-Bolyai University in Romania.

EUNIC – European Union National Institutes for Culture – is a global network of European organizations. To date there are125 clusters represented in 90 countries. In New York, 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 celebration event of the European Day of Languages in New York is initiated and coordinated by Goethe-Institut New York with the support of CALEC/TBR Books, Camoes Institute, Consolato Generale d`Italia New York, Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in New York, Consulate General of France in New York, Consulate General of Portugal in New York, Consulate General of Spain/Education Office, Consulate General of Switzerland in New York, Delegation of Flanders to the USA, EU Delegation to the United Nations, FACE- Foundation, French Institute Alliance Francaise, Guerra Edizioni, Instituto Cervantes, Instituto Italiano di Cultura, Ornimi Editions, Polish Cultural Institute, Romanian Cultural Institute, New York City Department of Education (Division of Multilingual Learners), New York State Association for Bilingual Education, Imagine Learning, Anaya Publishing, New York State Education Department (Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages), New York State Statewide Language Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network (RBERN).