Author Archives: Norah L Jones

15 Min Language Story | Megan Diercks

Ever felt lost in your career path? Here’s how I found my passion for teaching French!

Tag someone who’s exploring their own journey.

From begging my parents to switch schools for French classes to becoming a passionate French teacher, my language journey has been incredible! It all started with a love for French that grew into a career, thanks to some amazing mentors along the way.

Education is not just about learning a language; it’s about opening doors to new opportunities. I’ve seen students transform their lives through language, and I want to inspire more to take that leap!

What’s your language story? Let’s celebrate the power of learning together!

S6E7: Onward Together: The Energy Behind Language Advocacy & Collaboration with Joy Peyton

There’s a noticeable shift happening in language education—and it starts with where people are choosing to focus their attention. Instead of centering on challenges, Joy Peyton reflects on the energy she experienced at Language Advocacy Days, where educators, students, and advocates came together to share what’s working.

From stories of collaboration across schools to the growing presence of multilingual young people, this conversation highlights a movement that is gaining momentum. Language learning is no longer confined to classrooms—it’s alive in communities, shaped by real experiences, and strengthened through connection. As Joy puts it, the future depends on recognizing every contributor as an equal partner and moving forward together.

15 Min Language Story | Gianny Morales

“Let’s capitalize on what they already know. Use their language, their culture, their experiences—and build from there.”
— Gianny Morales, featured in this 15-Minute Language Story derived from Season 5, Episode 3 with Norah Jones

S6E6: Power of Young Voices | Students at Language Advocacy Days

In This Episode At the 2026 Language Advocacy Days in Washington, DC, something powerful happened—without planning, without a script, and without hesitation. A group of students from across the country gathered in a circle and began to speak. One by one, they shared their experiences, their frustrations, their hopes, and their belief in the powerContinueContinue reading “S6E6: Power of Young Voices | Students at Language Advocacy Days”

S6E5: It’s Not Just What You Say: The Hidden Power of Language and Communication with Charlie Hanchett

A new episode of It’s About Language is now available.Listen to the conversation, then explore the stories, quotes, and resources that follow. In This Episode What starts as a conversation about being snowed in quickly unfolds into a journey through Charlie’s early career decisions, including a pivotal leap into teaching abroad and the unexpected pathContinueContinue reading “S6E5: It’s Not Just What You Say: The Hidden Power of Language and Communication with Charlie Hanchett”

15 Min Language Story | Chris Howell

In this 15-minute conversation, Chris Howell shares how humility, self-awareness, and solidarity shape the way we understand language, culture, and what it really means to connect.

S6E4: From Library French Lessons to Global Impact with Maureen Manning.

A new episode of It’s About Language is now available.Listen to the conversation, then explore the stories, quotes, and resources that follow. In This Episode Dr. Maureen Manning joins Norah Jones for a wide-ranging conversation about language as a life-shaping force—and why the stories we tell about language learning matter as much as the learningContinueContinue reading “S6E4: From Library French Lessons to Global Impact with Maureen Manning.”

15 Min Language Story | Scott Womack

When Language Becomes Leadership https://videopress.com/v/5AELAVLE?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true 🎧 We invite you to listen to this 15-minute conversation. Because sometimes the most powerful stories are not about conflict —they are about understanding. Lean in.And consider how language has shaped your own journey. This special 15-minute conversation is an excerpt from Scott Womack’s earlier visit to It’s About LanguageContinueContinue reading “15 Min Language Story | Scott Womack”

S6E3: Learning Language at the Speed of Being Human with James Mattiace.

A new episode of It’s About Language is now available.Listen to the conversation, then explore the stories, quotes, and resources that follow. In This Episode https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2100414.rss In this episode of It’s About Language, Norah Jones interviews James Mattiace. He is an educator, assessment reformer, and lifelong language learner. They discuss what languages reveal, not justContinueContinue reading “S6E3: Learning Language at the Speed of Being Human with James Mattiace.”

15 Min Language Story | Norah Jones

One Word, One Vowel, One Big Lesson About Language Language has a funny way of humbling us — and teaching us — all at the same time. In this 15-Minute Language Story from It’s About Language, Norah Jones shares a moment from her teenage years that perfectly captures why language isn’t about perfection, but aboutContinueContinue reading “15 Min Language Story | Norah Jones”

S6E2_Language as a Bridge: Lessons from Senegal with Katy Wheelock

Hit play to listen, then explore the stories, quotes, and resources below. In This Episode Norah Jones talks with Katy Wheelock, a French educator with 30+ years of classroom experience and the founder of Vive l’Experience, about why language learning is ultimately about connection, not perfection—and how centering Francophone Africa (especially Senegal) transforms teachers, students,ContinueContinue reading “S6E2_Language as a Bridge: Lessons from Senegal with Katy Wheelock”

15 Min Language Story | Jeanmarie Rouhier-Willoughby

The Transformative Power of Language: A Journey with Jeanmarie Rouhier- Willoughby In this opening segment, we meet Jeanmarie Rouhier- Willoughby, a professor of Russian, folklore, and linguistics whose entire life trajectory was shaped by a single childhood move—and a father determined that she experience life in a culture, not just alongside it. Her story movesContinueContinue reading “15 Min Language Story | Jeanmarie Rouhier-Willoughby”

S6E1: The Voice of French-Speaking Africa

Four French educators and AATF leaders join Norah to share how a Fulbright-Hays trip to Côte d’Ivoire is reshaping French teaching in the U.S.—from decolonizing curriculum and centering Francophone Africa to bringing home real stories, resources, and relationships that change how students see the world.

S5E11 I Just Want to be Heard- A Conversation with Sharon Deering Williford

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 howContinueContinue reading “S5E11 I Just Want to be Heard- A Conversation with Sharon Deering Williford”

S5E10 Language is About People – A Conversation with Paul Frank

“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 inContinueContinue reading “S5E10 Language is About People – A Conversation with Paul Frank”

S5E9: The Soul of the Mangyan Ambahan

Discover the cultural richness of the Mangyan people and the poetic beauty of Ambahan, an ancient tradition of sung poetry that shapes identity and community. This episode features voices from the Mangyan Heritage Center sharing stories of preservation, passion, and belonging.

S5E8: Casa Areyto Taino Language & Culture Live

“To create a world where every Taíno descendant knows who they are and where they come from.” – Priscilla ColónFounder, Casa Areyto 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 publicContinueContinue reading “S5E8: Casa Areyto Taino Language & Culture Live”

S5E7: Playful, Unexpected – Planet Word Museum with Anne Friedman

“Let’s use our words to create community, to build bridges, to find the things we have in common—what we all laugh at, what we all celebrate. And let’s not use our words to divide.” – Ann Friedman, Founder & CEO of Planet Word I’ve always believed that words hold immense power, shaping our connections, fuelingContinueContinue reading “S5E7: Playful, Unexpected – Planet Word Museum with Anne Friedman”

S5E6 Julia, 17, Shares the Joy of Languages

There are hundreds and hundreds of languages and hundreds of different ways of saying something. Something simple can just be explained and communicated in so many different ways. Sure, you can use a translator, but you never get to experience that joy for yourself. That’s changed my perspective and my worldview. Julia Hosage Hello! MyContinueContinue reading “S5E6 Julia, 17, Shares the Joy of Languages”

S5E5 Ana Lucia Lico: Embrace Your Gifts

You have to fight to remain living the language and culture that are meaningful to you or to your students. Fight against not enough resources, fight against lack of support, and if you feel alone, parent or an educator, look for other schools, look for communities, look for organizations. You will find people like usContinueContinue reading “S5E5 Ana Lucia Lico: Embrace Your Gifts”

S5E4 Megan Dierks, Steve Sacco: Open All the World with Vision and a Grant

Discover how Megan Diercks and Steven Sacco will use storytelling to empower global citizens and enrich language curricula! Tune in to learn about their immersive initiative in Côte d’Ivoire and its broader implications.
🌍🎓 #LanguageEducation #Fulbright-Hays

S5E3 Gianny Morales: Making a Home in Two Worlds

At the age of 20, I was like, wow, the models of bilingual education in the US and in Colombia failed me. They’re leaving kids behind. So I have a lot of drive to make that right, by being out there with teachers, surrounded by the people making changes. Gianny Morales The stories we tellContinueContinue reading “S5E3 Gianny Morales: Making a Home in Two Worlds”

S5E2 Shuhan Wang: A New Framework for Language Education

It’s not about learning vocabulary, learning how to say something in another language. Deep down, we’re talking about making us better, smarter, more compassionate, more open minded, more empathetic people who care about self and also one another. That’s my goal and my passion. Dr. Shuhan Wang In another place in our conversation, she says,ContinueContinue reading “S5E2 Shuhan Wang: A New Framework for Language Education”

Affirm, Engage, Invite

How have you found the places and purposes where you flourish? How have you cultivated and grown others? Let’s see how you as a professional — newbie, veteran, everything in between — relate to the following story. I was a first-year French and Spanish teacher. Hadn’t majored in languages. Hadn’t planned on going into education.ContinueContinue reading “Affirm, Engage, Invite”

“I’m glad because you are aware of me.”

I was touched to receive this comment today from the child in Central America when I wrote a personal note to ask about his days and share a bit of my own. “I just want to be seen,” we hear from those who can feel invisible: newcomers to our communities, adults doing essential but oftenContinueContinue reading ““I’m glad because you are aware of me.””