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Lesson plans for each individual episode provide resources and materials available for you to use in your We Speak NYC class. You will find study guides, practice activities and supplemental materials for beginner level learners.

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Video Lesson Plan

For Shumi’s Pantry Lesson Plan

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

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Video Lesson Plan

For The Seed for a Good Life Lesson Plan

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

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Video Lesson Plan

For Rolando’s Rights Lesson Plan

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

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Video Lesson Plan

For Making New Friends Lesson Plan

“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

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Video Lesson Plan

For Sonam’s Mom Lesson Plan

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

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Video Lesson Plan

For Crossing the Street Lesson Plan

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

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Video Lesson Plan

For Rafaela’s Test Lesson Plan

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

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Video Lesson Plan

For CensusGirl Lesson Plan

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

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Video Lesson Plan

For Count Us In Lesson Plan

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

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Video Lesson Plan

For Welcome Parents Lesson Plan

“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

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Video Lesson Plan

For Stay in School Lesson Plan

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

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Video Lesson Plan

For Love and Money Lesson Plan

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

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Video Lesson Plan

For New Life Café Lesson Plan

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

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Video Lesson Plan

For Asthma: The Soap Opera Lesson Plan

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

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Video Lesson Plan

For No Smoking Lesson Plan

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

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Video Lesson Plan

For The Wedding Lesson Plan

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

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Video Lesson Plan

For Respond to Domestic Violence Lesson Plan

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.

Domestic Violence

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Video Lesson Plan

For The Hospital Lesson Plan

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

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Video Lesson Plan

For The Storm Lesson Plan

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

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