The Albanian language has been officially declared as one of the languages used for school communications by the New York City Department of Education.
The news was announced by New York State Chancellor of Education Melissa Aviles-Ramos on June 18.
This decision represents a major victory and a new era for Albanian families in the United States, writes illyria.com.
Of the approximately 180 languages spoken in New York City, to date only 10 languages have been included in official public school communications.
With the latest decision, three more languages are added, one of which is Albanian, bringing the total number to 13 (including English).
This means that any important document, notice or information that the school sends to parents will also be available in Albanian, significantly facilitating the involvement of Albanian parents in the educational life of their children.
For years, many Albanian parents have encountered difficulties in closely following their children's school life due to the language barrier.
Now, with documents in their native language, they feel represented and respected. They can more easily understand any information, react with more confidence, and actively participate in decision-making that affects their children's education.
This helps students themselves feel involved and progress better both academically and emotionally.
The fact that Albanian is now part of the official documentation of an educational system like New York's is a powerful message that increases their self-confidence and pride in their origins, confirming that identity is not an obstacle, but an asset, this media outlet writes.
The dual language model gives Albanian children the opportunity to learn in both languages in parallel, preserving cultural heritage and building deep academic knowledge in both language systems.
With these important steps, the Albanian community has come closer to comprehensive education where children and young people learn to be citizens of the world without forgetting their roots.
Moreover, they are a testament to the entire Albanian community, whose voice and strength are becoming increasingly visible in one of the largest cities in the world. It is precisely these achievements that prove that the Albanian language and the preservation of identity are not nostalgia but a strategy for the future.
(BalkanWeb)
