City Room™ - Politics - CPS Gets $888,000 Federal Grant for Arabic Language Programs

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CPS Gets $888,000 Federal Grant for Arabic Language Programs
Produced by City Room on Monday, November 09, 2009

Chicago Public Schools' kindergartners at Durkin Park Elementary School learn Arabic every day. (WBEZ/Kate Gardiner)

A new federal grant will double the number of Chicago high schools with Arabic language programs next year.

The U.S. Department of Education says the city will get $888,000 over the next three years for Arabic instruction at three additional Chicago Public high schools.

Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley says the move will help Chicago students stay competitive.

DALEY: Languages are important for the future of our children here in Chicago. As you become more of a global city, it's important for people to speak other languages, understand people in the world.

Daley says the new program builds on existing Arabic language programs in city schools.

He says more than 2,000 kids already learn Arabic every day in CPS because of federal grants.