In this moving and powerful episode of It’s About Language, host Norah Jones welcomes a panel of cultural advocates and storytellers to explore the poetic traditions and philosophy of the Mangyan people of Mindoro, Philippines. From personal stories to academic insights, guests Chiara Cox, Lolita Delgado Fansler, Resti Pitgogo, Zosing Evangelista, and Emily Catapang open the door to a living tradition of Ambahan—an ancient, rhythmic poetry written in the Hanunuo Mangyan script. This script, s...
In this episode, we welcome Priscilla Colón, a writer, artist, and educator with over 20 years of experience in language programs. She has trained and empowered diverse learners, from government personnel to public school students, shaping the way Indigenous languages are taught and preserved. Casa Areyto: A Mission to Reclaim the Taíno Identity Priscilla’s work is deeply rooted in her own search for Indigenous heritage. She founded Casa Areyto with a mission to ensure that every Taíno descen...
In this episode of It’s About Language, I sit down with Ann to hear how her love of language led her from working in Beirut and Jerusalem as a translator, to teaching young students, and finally, to founding a first-of-its-kind museum dedicated to words and literacy. We talk about the power of language to build communities, the importance of keeping literacy alive, and how Planet Word’s voice-activated exhibits and participatory experiences bring words to life. Contact Norah : fluencyconsult...
Curious about how storytelling can transform education and create global citizens? Join us as we chat with Megan Diercks and Steven Sacco, who are on a mission to enrich language curricula through a Fulbright-Hays grant. They share their ambitious plan to take 14 educators to Côte d'Ivoire, immersing them in its vibrant culture. Discover how this initiative will bring the rich, often overlooked, histories of Francophone Africa into classrooms around the world, enabling students to feel a part...
Imagine embarking on a life-altering journey through the Mexican desert as a child, and then finding yourself in a new and unfamiliar country. Gianny Morales takes us through his remarkable story moving from Medellín, Colombia to New Jersey, then back, then over again to the US, offering profound insights into the resilience required to navigate between cultures and languages. He shares how bilingual education played a crucial role in shaping his identity and understanding of the world,...
Season 5 kicks off with Norah Lulich Jones hosting Victor Santos, author of What Makes Us Human. Explore how Santos uses riddle in both words and images to engage and delight children (and adults) with the power of human language. Contact Norah : fluencyconsulting@gmail.com Website: https://fluency.consulting Your journey to discover the richness of language starts here. Join us on the website and embark on a learning adventure like never before! Social Media Platforms : Facebook: https:/...
Episode 90 | Connecting with William Lee, ACTFL Teacher of the Year 2023. William Lee Latin teacher at Clark High School (San Antonio) talks with Norah abou providing opportunities and exuding passion for World Language education. "I want people to realize that we are part of the whole and we're all in it together. " Contact Norah : fluencyconsulting@gmail.com Website: https://fluency.consulting Your journey to discover the richness of language starts here. Join us on the website and embark...
How language, identity, and patience shape our healing and humanity. In this deeply personal episode, Sharon Williford returns to the podcast nearly five years after her first appearance. Then, she was freshly navigating life after a massive stroke that left her with severe aphasia—a loss of language that profoundly impacted how she communicated and how others saw her. Now, years later, Sharon shares her ongoing journey: the challenges of expressing herself, the patience required to rebuild i...
“People don’t want to abandon who they are in order to have a better future. Language gives them options—and dignity—to be both rooted and reaching.” – Paul Frank In this powerful episode, Norah Jones is joined by Paul Frank, Associate Director for Language Solutions at SIL International. With more than four decades of experience in the field, Paul shares his journey from rural Mexico to the mountains of Colombia to international leadership roles supporting minority language communities. His...
Contact Norah : fluencyconsulting@gmail.com Website: https://fluency.consulting Your journey to discover the richness of language starts here. Join us on the website and embark on a learning adventure like never before! Social Media Platforms : Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FluencyConsultingLLC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fluency_consulting/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NorahLulicJones LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fluency-norah-jones
What if maintaining your heritage language is the key to unlocking a deeper sense of belonging and cultural identity? Join me as I sit down with Ana Lucia Lico, a fervent advocate for heritage language preservation. Ana shares her compelling journey from Brazil to the United States, transitioning from a career in science to becoming an influential figure in education. Her story is one of resilience and dedication as she spearheaded the creation of a language cooperative that grew into ABRACE,...
In another place in our conversation, she says, "It's very hard to crystallize the function of language in our life, because everybody uses it. You cannot really conceptualize the function of language. It's only when you learn another language then you become more aware of your own, and what you stand for." In our conversation, Dr. Wang shares her efforts to develop a holistic educational framework that not only emphasizes digital literacies but also prioritizes real-world communication outco...
Join the conversation with language education innovator Noemi Rodriguez, who draws on her own story of nurturing a childhood passion into shaping the future of AI in the classroom. We traverse the landscape where artificial intelligence and human intelligence are not rivals, but partners in crafting enriching learning experiences. Noemi's insights reveal how AI supports the indispensable human connection in teaching, providing tailored feedback that helps students flourish in language profici...
Embark on a linguistic journey that promises to redefine your understanding of language proficiency with the guidance of Paul Sandrock, an esteemed language educator. Dive into the heart of what it truly means to speak another language, moving beyond the memorization of vocabulary and grammar to a place where language becomes a vibrant tool for real-world interaction. Paul and I dissect the layers of proficiency, from the ability to navigate a menu to engaging in meaningful conversations, and...
Join the conversation with the visionary Brandon Locke, 2024's World Language Supervisor of the Year, and embark on a linguistic journey that spans the icy expanses of Anchorage, Alaska. Unlock the transformative power of language education as we discuss Brandon's instrumental role in nurturing linguistic diversity within a school system that bridges cultures and connects communities on a global stage. His leadership highlights the unique challenges in fostering native and foreign language pr...
Discover a new dimension of leadership where language is the compass guiding us through the maze of human connection. TK Gale, founder of LAMA Leadership, joins us to illuminate the profound influence language has in shaping our realities and its vital role in effective leadership. We'll explore the power of words to transcend cultural barriers and unite diverse teams, diving into how language can be a tool for creating possibilities and transforming organizational dynamics. Embark on a pers...
Welcome to Episode 122 of "It's About Language"! In this episode, we sit down with Gregory Nedved to explore his unusual linguistic journey. Starting as an adult language learner, Gregory's path led him to become an award-winning Chinese specialist, author, language instructor, and an historian of language events and Presidential mono- and multilingualism. In this conversation, Gregory Nedved challenges us straight on to question the traditional boundaries of language learning and life ...
Join us on a journey through language and culture with Lorie Roule, a multilingual expert from the intelligence community. From her fascination with French in fifth grade to her proficiency in Russian, Arabic, and Turkish, Lorie shares insights into the joy of language learning and the art of conversational code-switching. Explore the significance of language proficiency in high-stakes translation scenarios where precision and strategy intersect in communication. Imagine a world where ...
Discover how the simple act of creating and sharing handmade bracelets can bridge cultures and empower communities as we sit down with Christopher Howell, co-founder of the Pulsara Project. Prepare to be inspired by stories that transcend the mere act of buying and selling, revealing the deep connections forged between Central American artisans and students in the United States. From the personal signatures on each bracelet to the sustainable agricultural practices supported by the project, w...
Explore pathways that unlock the power of leadership through language. Episode 119 of IAL features an insightful, powerful conversation with NECTFL and NFMLTA Executive Director Christopher Gwin. Find your leadership pathways as we explore his own. Contact Norah : fluencyconsulting@gmail.com Website: https://fluency.consulting Your journey to discover the richness of language starts here. Join us on the website and embark on a learning adventure like never before! Social Media Platforms : ...