The Newark School District is looking for teachers who speak a multitude of languages.

The more than 36,000 students in the district speak almost 50 different languages, including English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Haitian, Creole, Bengali, Hindi and Urdu.

“It really does prepare our students for the future and the real world,” says Newark Assistant Superintendent Dr. Yolanda Mendez. “Not to mention being able to have students and adults in a community that’s a microcosm of the real world.”

The diverse student background presents a big barrier in the district. There are not enough “English as a Second Language” or bi- and multilingual teachers to communicate with, relate to, or teach the 50% of students whose first language is something other than English.

“These individuals don’t necessarily have learning disabilities. They just need support in learning a new language and so it’s truly our responsibility to support them in adapting into our community and learning the language,” Mendez says.

The district is now looking to hire 50 certified and qualified teachers by the summer so that when kids are back in class next fall they will have all the tools and teachers they need to succeed - no matter what their native language is.

The board of education is encouraging now just qualified teachers to apply, but also any multilingual adults who are looking for a second career.

Those who wish to apply can do so on a special website set up for recruits.