“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”
Tag Archives: heritage
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”
S5E1 What Makes Us Human, a Conversation with Victor D.O. Santos, Ph.D.
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.
Episode 101 – The Costs of Ignoring Language and Culture: Bennett Whitehouse (Risk Analyst)
“Language is a key just in coaching people on their interpersonal relationship. So when it comes to workers compensation, especially, you might think that the cost of a medical claim related to a workplace injury would correlate highest with the severity of the injury. The reality is the industries recognize that the highest corollary toContinueContinue reading “Episode 101 – The Costs of Ignoring Language and Culture: Bennett Whitehouse (Risk Analyst)”
Episode 99 – Language Inspirations: Presenters on Presenting
Episode 99 | Its About Language | Language Inspirations – Presenters on Presenting
I’m excited to share with you Episode 99!
Language learning happens in the home, community, school and workplace. Language teachers are parents, siblings, friends, community members, colleagues, strangers, and media of all types. Language connects us to each other and the world around us.
In this episode, I attended SCOLT (Southern Conference on Language Teaching) and NECTFL (Northeast Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages). Excited presenters share with me how they help build the language bridges that connect us all.
Episode 98 – The Power of Intercultural Understanding: Scott Womack
Episode 98 : The Power of Intercultural Understanding: Scott Womack
In this episode, Scott Womack shares his insights on the role of language, culture and intercultural competence in our lives. Dr. Scott Womack’s research into these topics makes him an expert on their importance to our emotional wellbeing and global understanding.
Episode 97 – Children Celebrate Their Heritage
Its About Language | Episode 97 | Children Celebrate Their Heritage
What an exciting episode! We continue celebrating Mother Language Day, hearing from young children, young adults, and adults on the importance of celebrating heritage, sounds, music, dance, food, and stories. These are pivotal times for the world and celebrating traditions together – this is how language is the pathway to bringing peace to the spirit of individuals.
Episode 96 – Young Voices from Mother Language Day
Its About Language | Episode 96 | From the Kids of Mother Language Day 2023
Episode 96 is all about International Heritage Language Association in Edmonton Alberta celebrating Mother Language Day. I was so excited to see the many heritage schools come together and had the opportunity to interview quite a few. In this episode you will hear from three young adults / kids as they reflect on the hope they are bringing to the world. Enjoy the podcast!
Episode 95 – Celebrating Our Languages: Antonella Cortese & IHLA
Its About Language | Episode 95 | Celebrating our Languages with Antonella Cortese & IHLA
This week’s guest is Antonella Cortese, “mother” of the IHLA Mother Language Day Festival in Edmonton, Canada. Hear how this annual festival provides an opportunity for youth to learn about world-wide heritage languages and share their own, through dance, music, and poetry — and go to my website for her mom’s traditional Italian pastry recipe!
Episode 94 – The Elements of Our Language
This week, Steven Sacco is interviewing Norah. Norah shares where her passion for language began and how it shaped her world, and from that foundation how she took it a step farther to help change the lives of others. The Elements of Our Language are truly the stepping stones in new pathways leading to so many opportunities in our lives.
Episode 93 – Connecting with: Meredith White
How does language open hearts, minds, opportunities, and hope for all?
I speak with Meredith White, an Instructional Technology Coach and Spanish Teacher in Gwinnett County Public Schools, Georgia this week. She’s here to talk about the power of language in the lives of those who teach it and of those who learn it. She provides insights into how we can use language to focus on what brings joy and sustainability in our busy lives, allowing balance as well as effectiveness in all we do.
It’s About Language | Episode 93 | Connecting with Meredith White
Episode 92 – Inviting You to Reflect with Parthena Draggett, AATSP President
Episode 92: Inviting You to Reflect with Parthena Draggett, AATSP President. Our lively conversation touches on the diversity within the classroom and outside in the world, and how language studies connect learners to themselves and cultures around the world. Parthena emphasizes the importance of being open to the process of learning and the dynamics of language. Such truths invite language learners of all ages to be bold, be vulnerable, and to consider themselves speakers of a language from the beginning. It’s a powerful, positive concept for an interconnected world.
Episode 91 – Young Voices on Language’s Purpose
Episode 91 | Hear the voices of young adult language students from Northside ISD in San Antonio on language as a powerful tool in their lives. They share about identity, connections, opportunities, personal heritage, and many more gifts that learning new languages have for them, and all of us.
Episode 90 – Connecting with William Lee, ACTFL Teacher of the Year 2023
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 about 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. “
Episode 89 – Inviting You to Reflect with Celia Zamora, ACTFL
Episode 89 | Reflection Series | Guest Celia Zamora, ACTFL
Join Norah L Jones and Celia Zamora on the future of language education and ACTFL. In this episode of It’s About Language, Norah and Celia talk about initiatives designed to include everyone in the learning and use of languages to participate fully in the global community.
Episode 79 – It’s About Language: It’s About YOU
Norah Jones introduces the new season of It’s About Language , with a call to use language to positively address our urgent social and global challenges.
Episode 78 – Opportunity, Equity, Justice
Listen here, download and share as Jenniffer Whyte shares her insights and award-winning language education ways as she explores being an Afro-Latina techer in the rural south.
Episodio 77 – IAL a la AATSP: Enseñar el idioma vivo
For this third and final episode from the AATSP conference in Puerto Rico, Norah Jones shares participants’ stories that could only emerge from the heart of their native Spanish language.
Episode 76 – IAL at AATSP: Building Inclusion
Listen here, download and share as Norah Jones captures the excitement of attendees of the AATSP conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Episode 75 – IAL at AATSP: Celebrating Community
Listen here, download and share as Norah Jones captures the excitement of attendees of the AATSP conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Episode 74 – Freestyle Languages: Opportunity and Joy
Listen here, download and share as Elizabeth Mack of Freestyle Languages shares stories of growth, opportunities, and joy through effective language and cultural study.