It’s here! The long-awaited Season Two of We Are New York (now called We Speak NYC) with new characters who help learners improve their language skills, learn about their rights, and access New York City services. We Speak NYC has unveiled seven new engaging videos and supplementary learning materials for English Language Learners on the new We Speak NYC web site.

Note: Moira Taylor (CUNY Adult Literacy/ABE/ESOL Program) recorded a video that explains the We Speak NYC website resources, especially those that could be useful for online instruction.

The 7 episodes in Season Two include adult learner topics such as worker rights, job search skills, early childhood and adult education, mental health, elder care, social services and other topics.

Each episode is rich in content and language relevant to adult English Language Learners lives. Each of the new characters brings their life expertise to the “We Speak NYC” stories, making them as wholly relatable and endearing as the “We Are New York” characters we know and love.

Here is the blurb from Rolando’s Rights, about worker’s rights.

Rolando is a construction worker. His wife, Silvia, is a domestic worker. They are heroes who build this city and help keep it strong. But what can they do if their companies rip them off and don’t give them paid sick leave or other worker rights? Who can help them?

Click here to watch Rolando’s Rights.

And Rafaela’s Test, about studying for the HSE exam.

Rafaela has a panic attack on the day of her High School Equivalency Test. She goes to the emergency room, where a doctor tells her about NYC Well, a City service that helps people manage stress and anxiety. Her family and her friend are very worried about her. Join them in this important story as they learn how to support each other and thrive.

Click here to watch Rafaela’s Test.

The language level and pace of the speech in the Season Two episodes is at a slightly higher level (solid intermediate, rather than low intermediate) than the Season One We Are New York videos. If you are not familiar with the earlier videos, watch them here.

You’ll find transcripts for each new episode on the web site, and subtitles in English are an option as well. Supplementary study materials for two episodes – Rafaela’s Test (study guide) and Rolando’s Rights (study guide) are currently online. These are materials that could be used in class or as independent practice outside of class.

Additional educational materials will be added as the site gets developed in the summer.

Here are some excerpts from the scripts and study guide materials: