Founded by Norah Lulich Jones, M.Ed.
Language is more than a subject I’ve taught or a skill I’ve studied.
It is the thread that has woven together my life, my work, and my understanding of what it means to be human.
I created Fluency Consulting because I believe language has the power to free us, to help us find hope, courage, clarity, and connection in a world that is often divided or afraid. Through my work, I explore how language shapes identity, influences communities, and brings people together across cultures and generations.
My Story
As the daughter of a Croatian immigrant, language has always been my bridge, connecting me to family, heritage, and the deeper stories that make us who we are.
My career has carried me through classrooms, leadership roles, professional development, publishing, and national advocacy. Across these experiences, one truth has always remained: language is at the center of how we understand ourselves and each other.
That belief fuels everything I do through Fluency Consulting and It’s About Language (IAL).
It’s About Language, The Podcast.
At the heart of Fluency is my podcast, It’s About Language (IAL) — a space for authentic, human-centered conversations with educators, leaders, advocates, creators, and everyday people whose lives have been shaped by language.
Each episode reveals how language:
- shapes our identities,
- influences our communities, and
- connects us across cultures and generations.
Whether you are an educator, a professional using language in high-impact work, or someone who simply values the human story behind communication, the podcast invites you to reflect, learn, and connect.
My Mission
My mission is simple but profound:
To help individuals, educators, and organizations see language not just as a skill, but as a pathway to compassion, courage, and belonging.
Through storytelling, writing, workshops, and speaking engagements, I work to help people:
- move beyond fear, isolation, or division,
- find their voice,
and understand the deeper role of language in their lives and communities.
This is the heart of my guiding message: We Speak Every Language. Team Humanity.
Who Connects With Fluency & IAL
The Fluency audience is diverse, connected by curiosity and a belief in the power of language. This includes:
- Educators and language professionals seeking insight and inspiration
- Applied language practitioners in fields such as government, law, healthcare, and business
- Advocates and organizational leaders working toward multilingual, culturally connected communities
- Heritage speakers and families preserving identity and culture
Lifelong learners and language lovers drawn to stories of human connection
From classrooms to boardrooms, from cultural communities to global listeners, Fluency Consulting is a home for anyone who believes language can heal, unite, and empower.
How I Work
Fluency Consulting is a one-person practice — just me — offering:
- The It’s About Language podcast
- Workshops, presentations, and keynotes focus on the nature and power of language in the lives of individuals and communities worldwide.
- Speaking and workshop engagements
- Consulting and collaborative projects focused on language, culture, learning, and advocacy
Every project, every episode, every conversation is grounded in a simple truth:
language connects us — and stories free us.
Professional Experience
- Instruction: Spanish, French, Russian, Latin, ESOL
- Publishing: Vista Higher Learning, Cambridge University Press, Heinle & Heinle
- Contributing author: Lingco, Edinumen Editores, Vista Higher Learning, Cambridge, Pearson, Heinle & Heinle, Holt Rinehart & Winston
Organizations, Awards, Certifications
- Joint National Committee for Languages-National Council for Languages and International Studies (JNCL-NCLIS): Board; Chair: Business Action Council
- Foreign Language Association of Virginia (FLAVA): President 1999-2001, 2009-2011; Distinguished Service Award
- Southern Conference on Language Teaching (SCOLT): President 2008; Founder’s Award
- ACTFL: member
- NECTFL: member
- National Association of District Supervisors of Foreign Languages (NADSFL)
- Certified Gallup Clifton Strengths Coach
Recognition
Need a motivating, fun, and powerful presentation for your organization or group? I would be happy to talk to you about your needs.
