We Speak NYC is an Emmy Award-winning ESL/civics drama series created by The City University of New York in partnership with the New York City Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs.  Each episode focuses on a particular topic, such as education, health care, democracy, worker rights, tenant rights, sustainability, and others. The series is designed to help immigrants learn English and to inform immigrants about their rights to City services.

There are 3 Seasons of We Speak NYC (WSNYC). Season 1 consists of the original 9 episodes that came out in 2009 under the name We Are New York (WANY). Season 1 topics include: parental engagement in a child’s school; managing chronic illnesses such as diabetes and asthma; the rights of immigrants (all New Yorkers) to health care; financial empowerment; responding to domestic violence; contributions of immigrants to the workforce, and others.  In 2013, a tenth episode was added on the theme of emergency preparedness.

The series was rebranded in 2018 as We Speak NYC, and 7 new episodes were launched as Season 2. Season 2 topics include: food insecurity, job-seeking skills, worker rights, elder care, free legal aid, early childhood education, and mental health.

In 2021, an episode on the theme of democracy was created. This episode, called Shola’s Voice, became the inspiration for Season 3, launched this year, 2024, with three new episodes: One Home, Sofa Love: A Housing Romance, and Under One Roof.

We Speak NYC is broadcast in New York City on NYCTV. Seasons 1 and 2 stream on the We Speak NYC website where you can also find Study Guides, interactive quizzes, short stories, scripts, and other resources created by CUNY for learners and educators alike.

Currently, Season 3 episodes and materials are only available here and on the CUNY Adult Literacy webpage.