• Florida International University is partnering with Island TV to develop a Haitian Creole journalism program
• The program will be the first of its kind in the country 
• Through the partnership, FIU students will be given opportunities to intern and work with Island TV to generate content and various forms of media for on-air broadcasting

Florida International University (FIU), in conjunction with Island TV, is developing a Creole-language journalism program as part of its Department of Journalism + Media.

Through the partnership, FIU students will be given opportunities to intern and work with Island TV to generate content and various forms of media for on-air broadcasting.

“We are proud to partner with Island TV in support of our content-producing curriculum and experiential ‘learn by doing’ teaching philosophy. This partnership advances our mission to prepare career-ready journalists and media professionals who are critical and reflective thinkers and communicators, ethical, socially responsible, well rounded, and fair-minded,” said Brian Schriner, dean of FIU’s College of Communication, Architecture + The Arts.

A primary goal of the partnership is to place FIU Department of Journalism + Media students into active industry roles following graduation.  The program will become the first Creole-language media program in the country and signals further community partnership between FIU and local businesses.

FIU currently offers a Spanish language program as well, connecting with South Florida-based Spanish-speaking media outlets for contribution and job placement.

Through the Spanish language program, courses are taught in Spanish, but bilingual students can present their projects and assignments in English. It is anticipated that the Haitian Creole program will follow similar guidelines.

Island TV media network is the only television network in the United States offering around-the-clock programming in English, French, and Haitian Creole.

Florida is home to the highest concentration of Haitian Creole-speaking individuals in the United States with more than 300,000, leading to increased efforts to better integrate the language into school curriculums and programs.

In Palm Beach County, schools now offer a Haitian Creole dual language program, while the University of Central Florida holds Haitian Creole language classes.