Watch, Learn & Practice

We Speak NYC videos tell the stories of New Yorkers who have come from all over the world to make New York City their home. The show helps English language learners improve their language skills, learn about their rights, and access City services.

The videos focus on important topics and model language that you can use in your everyday lives.

Season
02
Season
01
Specials

Shumi’s Pantry

It’s Shumi’s last year before college. She gets a part-time job at a local supermarket to help her mother pay the bills. And she volunteers at a food pantry to help the community. “You’re doing too much,” says her mom. “You need to focus on school!” Shumi is a hero to a lot of people. Will she manage it all and become a hero to you too?

Food Help

The Seed for a Good Life

Bad news: César loses his job. Good news: He finds two part-time jobs. But César is not satisfied. He wants a career. But how do you get one? Join César, Gabriela, Simon, Jian and Nana Aidoo on the search for the seed for a good life.

Career Preparation

Rolando’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?

Worker Rights

Making New Friends

“I’m not coming home for dinner,” Abuelo Luis says on the phone to his daughter, Silvia, “I’m going to my girlfriend’s house.” “Your girlfriend,” says Silvia, “Who is your girlfriend?” Silvia doesn’t know that it is Mrs. Belkina, her own client. Rent freezes and senior centers ... Get out the popcorn and watch the show!

Elder Care

Sonam’s Mom

Samten, Sonam's mom, is coming to America for the very first time. Sonam is a taxi driver but when his mom arrives in NYC she gets a ride with Osman, a different taxi driver. Sonam is busy helping his friend get free, safe immigration legal help. He doesn’t know his mom is already here. How will they meet?

Immigration Legal Help

Crossing the Street

Lian is looking for a great Pre-K to get experience to become a teacher. Martin is looking for a great Pre-K for his daughter. In this classic tale of New York City, where people and cultures of the world come together, Lian and Martin cross the street to meet.

Pre-K Resources

Rafaela’s Test

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.

Mental Health

CensusGirl

The library is full. People from all over the world are united by their love of learning. Suddenly, there's a WHOOSH... It's CensusGirl! She's here just in time to tell the truth about the census and why it is so important to all immigrant New Yorkers. Hold on to your seat and watch the show!

Census

Count Us In

Papa doesn't know the purpose of the census. He doesn't understand why it is so important to his wife, his son and his daughter. How can they convince him to say, "Count us in!" Watch the show, join the selfie, and get counted!

Census

Shola’s Voice

Shola, an employee at a community TV station, finds her voice speaking about democracy, immigration, education, and other issues of importance to you, your family, and the times we live in. What difference can a voice make? Watch Shola’s Voice and discover the power of your own voice.

Ranked Choice Voting

Welcome Parents

“Why did we come to this country?” Carmen asks her husband as their daughter struggles with reading. “For her education.” An inspiring story about Carmen, Fatima, and other parents who take charge and become leaders in their children’s school.

School Resources

Stay in School

High school in New York doesn’t make any sense to Mexican newcomer Diego, who wants to get a job and send money home. When Uncle Juan learns Diego has dropped out, he gets busy helping the teenager figure things out. It is Diego’s decision to make. What will he do?

School Resources

Love and Money

It’s their first date. Jorge thinks Sophie is rich. Sophie thinks Jorge is rich. But neither is! With the help of their friends and co-workers, they learn the truth about love and money in this romantic comedy about financial empowerment, saving money and banking in the Big Apple.

Financial Services

New Life Café

Rosa is about to open a Dominican café. But when her lab tests come back and the doctor tells her the bad news, her dreams are over. Or are they? A heart-warming drama about family, friendship, and coming to terms with diabetes.

Health

Asthma: The Soap Opera

Mario – the star of a groovy seventies soap opera – storms off the set. The script says his baby has asthma, but Mario doesn’t know what to do to help. The director tries to calm him down: “The story is not about asthma – it’s a love story.” Mario demands changes to the script so he can be the hero father he wants to be. A comedic melodrama – on and off the set.

Health

No Smoking

Sasha, the champion Winter Swimmer of Brighton Beach, has to make a choice—quit cigarettes or miss this year’s big Winter Swim. With the help of his wife, his best friend, his doctor and 311, the champion learns that quitting smoking may be the greatest, but hardest won, victory of them all.

Health

The Wedding

The band is lost. The photographer is sick. The dress is too big. The wedding is tomorrow! A group of New Yorkers each gets their big break to work at the wedding. Can they pull it off in time?

Transportation

Respond to Domestic Violence

Erica’s husband is abusing her. She has no papers. Who can help her? Where can she go? A multi-ethnic theater group puts on a play about a difficult subject that affects people of every walk of life. Together, the actors discover surprising twists and turns to the story as they find the answers. Disclaimer: Intervening this way is not advised. It may create an additional danger. Go to www.nyc.gov/hope for ways to help

Domestic Violence

The Hospital

Can art heal the sick? A nurse encourages a patient to start drawing again. The patient has a dramatic recovery and inspires the hospital workers to make their own art. It turns out, many of the workers are artists. Clayton in housekeeping is an abstract painter. Halina in food services is a photographer. But, an art gallery in a hospital?

Health

The Storm

It’s a hot summer day in New York City. Aku is going to the beach. Then she is meeting her parents for a picnic in the park. The plans are all made. Everyone is ready for a day of sun, fun, good food and friends. But no one planned for what happened next. There’s a storm alert on TV: Flood warnings… Hazardous weather conditions… Possible tornado… Will Aku be safe at the beach?

Emergency Preparation

Ranked Choice Voting in the Kitchen

In this year's NYC primary election, there is a new way to vote. It’s called Ranked-Choice Voting, and it gives you more chances of someone you like winning the election.

Ranked Choice Voting

CensusGirl

The library is full. People from all over the world are united by their love of learning. Suddenly, there's a WHOOSH... It's CensusGirl! She's here just in time to tell the truth about the census and why it is so important to all immigrant New Yorkers. Hold on to your seat and watch the show!

Census

Count Us In

Papa doesn't know the purpose of the census. He doesn't understand why it is so important to his wife, his son and his daughter. How can they convince him to say, "Count us in!" Watch the show, join the selfie, and get counted!

Census

Adult Education PSA Video

The City University of New York is the people’s university. But it is not just for getting a college degree. CUNY has many free adult education programs for immigrants who want to learn English or get a High School Equivalency Diploma. Watch this video and hear the voices of students benefiting from these programs.

Adult Education

Elder Care PSA Video

The Department for the Aging (DFTA) is the department of the NYC government that provides valuable services to seniors in NYC. Watch this short video, together with Making New Friends, to learn about free NYC community services that can improve the quality of life of seniors in NYC.

Elder Care

Immigrant Rights PSA Video

The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) is the office of the NYC government that promotes and protects the rights of all immigrants. MOIA is the home of the WSNYC series. Watch this video and learn about MOIA’s essential programs—We Speak NYC, IDNYC, Action NYC, and more.

Immigrant Rights

Worker Rights PSA Video

The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) is the department of the NYC government that created the empowering NYC Worker's Bill of Rights. DCWP protects the rights of all workers, with or without papers. Watch this short video, together with Rolando's Rights, to learn more.

Worker Rights

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