As of now, very few public schools in NYC Chinatown offer formal bilingual education in Cantonese and English. Most dual-language programs in the area focus on Mandarin-English instruction.
Unfortunately, Cantonese-English bilingual programs are not widely available in NYC public schools, including in Chinatown. The NYC Department of Education has prioritized Mandarin in its Chinese language programs, reflecting broader national trends—but this has led to concerns about the erosion of Cantonese heritage, especially in communities with deep Toisanese roots.
That said, there have been community-led efforts and petitions calling for the inclusion of Cantonese in public school curricula, particularly in schools like P.S. 184 Shuang Wen, which currently teaches only Mandarin.
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The Cantonese/Toisan (Taishan) community has made lasting contributions to American history—building the Transcontinental Railroad and proudly serving in the U.S. military among them.
Yet today, many Cantonese-speaking children in New York struggle to maintain their heritage language. While schools like P.S. 184 Shuang Wen offer Mandarin, they overlook the distinct cultural and linguistic value of Cantonese—a language spoken by over 80 million people worldwide, including a large segment of NYC residents.
Mandarin and Cantonese are not interchangeable; they represent different histories, tones, and traditions. To truly honor our city’s diversity, public schools must offer opportunities for students to learn Cantonese, especially in communities where it remains a living language.
We call for the inclusion of Cantonese language classes at P.S. 184 and other public schools. This would empower students to connect with their roots and build a more inclusive, multilingual future.
Join us in supporting cultural preservation and language equity. Sign the petition today.
Sign the Petition
About Shuang Wen School
Shuang Wen School—officially P.S. 184M Shuang Wen—is a public dual-language elementary and middle school located at 327 Cherry Street in Manhattan’s Chinatown/Lower East Side. It serves students from Pre-K through 8th grade, offering immersive instruction in both English and Mandarin Chinese.
The school is known for its rigorous academics, strong test scores, and a curriculum that alternates instruction days between English and Mandarin. It uses **Traditional Chinese characters** and the Zhuyin phonetic system, which is more common in Taiwan than in mainland China.
Shuang Wen was one of the first English-Mandarin bilingual public schools in the U.S. when it opened in 1998. Its mission emphasizes developing ethical, global citizens through cultural celebration, academic excellence, and bilingual fluency.
There’s also a related after-school program called the Shuang Wen Academy Network (SWAN), which offers Mandarin classes and enrichment activities, though it now operates separately from the school.
Shuang Wen School (P.S. 184M) stands out among New York City’s many dual-language programs for its academic rigor, Mandarin immersion, and cultural depth—but it’s not the only strong option in town.
🧠Other Notable Mandarin Programs in NYC
- P.S. 1 Alfred E. Smith (Chinatown): Mandarin-English dual-language, more progressive pedagogy.
- P.S. 124 Yung Wing School (Chinatown): K–5 Mandarin program with strong community ties.
- P.S. 158 Bayard Taylor (Upper East Side): Offers Mandarin immersion with a more diverse student body.
- P.S. 310 & P.S. 172 (Brooklyn): Mandarin programs with growing reputations and Pre-K options.
What Makes Shuang Wen Unique
- It uses Zhuyin, which is rare in U.S. schools and aligns more with Taiwanese pedagogy.
- It has a reputation for high expectations—some parents describe it as a “gifted & talented education without the label”.
- The school has faced internal tensions over its vision and leadership, but remains academically strong and culturally immersive.
If you're choosing between programs, it really comes down to your priorities: academic intensity, cultural alignment, language system (Zhuyin vs. Pinyin), and school climate
Zhuyin (注音), also known as Bopomofo, is a phonetic system used to teach Mandarin Chinese pronunciation, especially in Taiwan. It consists of 37 unique symbols and five tone marks, each representing a specific sound in Mandarin. Unlike Pinyin, which uses the Roman alphabet, Zhuyin uses symbols derived from Chinese character components, making it visually distinct and culturally rooted.
🔤 How Zhuyin Works
Zhuyin breaks Mandarin syllables into:
- Initials (consonants)
- Finals (vowels)
- Tones (marked with diacritics)
For example, the word for “understand” (懂) is written in Zhuyin as ㄉㄨㄥˇ, while in Pinyin it’s dÇ’ng.
🎯 Why Use Zhuyin?
- Better pronunciation: Learners don’t confuse sounds with English equivalents (e.g., “shi” isn’t pronounced like “she”).
- Cultural immersion: It’s the standard in Taiwanese schools and materials.
- Typing efficiency: Fewer keystrokes than Pinyin for traditional characters.
However, Pinyin is more widely used globally and easier for beginners familiar with the Latin alphabet. If you're planning to study in Taiwan or want to master traditional characters, Zhuyin is a great tool to have in your toolkit.
Location
Shuang Wen School, officially known as P.S. 184M Shuang Wen, is located at 327 Cherry Street, New York, NY 10002. It sits in the Lower East Side, right near the East River and within walking distance of landmarks like the Manhattan Bridge and Corlears Hook Park.
You can find more about the school on its official website.
You can view a street map of P.S. 184M Shuang Wen School at 327 Cherry Street, New York, NY 10002. It's located near the East River in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, just a short walk from Corlears Hook Park and the Manhattan Bridge.
