French Dual Language Program

An engaged, vibrant community with a global reach
Bonjour!  
P.S. 110 has been educating our students in both English and French since the launch of our French Dual Language Program (FDLP) in 2011.  Each French Dual Language class is comprised of two language populations: English-dominant students (Anglophones) and French-fluent students (Francophones). This way, students are able to learn from each other as well as their teachers.  

What is FDLP?
  • A bilingual program where academic instruction is provided in both English and French
  • Classes are comprised of both native English and French speaking students
  • Students learn from each other to develop intercultural awareness, biliteracy and bilingual proficiency
  • Students graduate with cross-cultural competency and proficiency in both languages

Goals for students in FDLP
  • Receive a comprehensive and immersive bilingual education in French and English
  • Meet or exceed NY State and City standards
  • Develop speaking, reading and writing skills in both English and French to achieve mastery of the Next Generation Learning Standards
  • Develop an understanding and appreciation for the French-speaking world, including literature, history, culture and traditions
  • Learn, Empathize, Ask, Repair and Nurture (L.E.A.R.N.) in English and French
  • Develop cross-cultural competency and appreciation of cultural diversity​

FDLP curriculum structure
Students in the FDLP follow the same school-wide curriculum as all the other General Education classes. Students are instructed in French and English throughout the year in their classrooms. Specialty classes such as Music, Physical Education, Visual Arts and Library are taught in English.
Classroom instructional time in Kindergarten through 5th grade is divided between French and English; however, the class structure looks different in some grades.  For the 2025-26 school year, the classroom instruction models used are:
  • Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd Grades use a side-by-side model where students switch classrooms each day.  They receive instruction one day in English with an English teacher and the next day in French with a French teacher.  On “French days” students in these grades still work on English phonics and reading for ~45 minutes to help keep them on track with state standards
  • 3rd Grade uses a self-contained model where instruction during half of each day is provided in French.  Math, science and social studies and other subjects are taught in French to develop language proficiency.  English language arts classes ensure continued development of literacy skills in both languages.
  • 4th and 5th Grades use a stand-alone model where one period of French instruction is taught per day
Here is an example of a “side-by-side” class schedule: Class A would learn in the French teacher’s classroom on Monday, while Class B would learn in the English teacher’s classroom. On Tuesday, Class A would be with the English teacher, and Class B would be with the French teacher. On Wednesday, Class A would be back with the French teacher, and Class B would be back with the English teacher; and so on.
The type of model used in each grade is dependent on the number of students enrolled in both the FDLP and General Education programs and may evolve year-over-year based on the grade makeup.

​Support for Students and Families
All families are welcome to join the PTAs French Committee - a group of families who come together to create activities, share resources, and collaborate with school leadership to strengthen the FDLP and support all PS 110 students interested in learning French.  The committee supports the community by planning community building events and organizing activities that support learning, such as free French tutoring, French book swaps and language meet-ups.  Communication channels are also set up for families to directly share information and ask questions.

Why choose FDLP?
  • Become bilingual: Learn to read, write and speak proficiently in both English and French
  • Explore the world: Prepare your student to be a global citizen by broadening their horizons through the classroom
  • Embrace diverse cultures: Make friends with families from across the globe.  Learn to appreciate, understand and connect with people from around the world.
  • Boost brains: Bilingual education is proven to sharpen critical thinking skills, fire up creativity, and build resilience and flexibility among learners

How to apply
The entry point for most of our students is in Kindergarten where they join one of 2 FDLP classes (there are no dual-language classes in Pre-K).  Accepted families are asked to commit to the program and keep their child in the FDLP through the end of Fifth Grade.  

​When applying to Kindergarten, potential FDLP families follow the same DOE process as students applying for all DOE Kindergarten programs.  Families can choose to apply to PS 110s General Education program and\or PS 110s French Dual Language Program (FDLP) - you can apply to one or both programs.  In your kindergarten application, you will be able to see both the school and program name for each of your choices.
Sometimes seats do come available in the First Grade and up.  Please reach out to our school secretary, Ms. Atson if you are interested.  Waitlists for FDLP classes are managed through the DOE waitlist process.  

FAQs
  • How do I know if my child is an “Anglophone” or “Francophone”?
    • Anglophone students speak primarily English or another non-French language at home.  They have not previously been educated in French.  Francophone students enter the program as French-fluent speakers, normally due to living in a French-speaking environment or previous participation in a French immersion program.  Francophone students may be bilingual in both French and English.
  • Are teachers inventing their own curriculum or are they following a certain program?
    • There is no FDLP curriculum defined by the DOE for all of New York City.  PS 110 has developed a curriculum for all grades (K-5) using the newest world language standards, themes from the American Council of Teachers of Foreign Languages and proficiency benchmarks.  The curriculum includes 2 tracks for first time learners and for students with exposure to French at home.
  • How does the program make the classes understandable and welcoming to French learners whilst keeping it interesting and challenging to native speakers?
    • The program has differentiation so that both Francophones and Anglophones remain engaged and find the program instructional.  Scaffolds are built into the curriculum to support Anglophones and help them feel successful about what they are learning.  ​
  • How can I support my student?
    • It’s not necessary for you to speak French in order to support your child’s French language development. One of the most important factors contributing to your child’s success in French is a positive attitude at home about the second language and the program. It’s important to give children time to adjust to learning in a new language so that they have the opportunity to gain confidence. If your child is eager to speak French at home, offer encouragement. Please remember that some children may be reluctant to initially express themselves in French outside of the classroom. Throughout the program, you’ll be provided with tips and tools to support your child’s learning.  You can also reference the family-developed French Resource Toolkit.