In Episode 116 It’s About Language host Norah Jones does a bit of storytelling of her language and cultural meetings, missteps, mistakes…and reflects on the powerful growth such experiences bring. She invites listeners to reflect on the roles of their own life stories in defining themselves and their impact in challenging times.
Tag Archives: identity
Episode 115 Joy and Opportunity for All: Nancy Hong
We don’t want DLI programs to just simply exist. We want them to thrive, and, as I found in my research, a leader’s choices, their decisions, and their practices can really elevate everyone’s practice and build a community of respect and understanding and support for this program. We want Dual Language Immersion (DLI) programs toContinue reading “Episode 115 Joy and Opportunity for All: Nancy Hong”
Episode 114 Word Play and Pun’d-It, with Josh Daly
Wordplay is an opportunity for fun and engagement, an opening to appreciate some important things about language. As we all well know, spoken language is not only a way of conveying information, but also a way of connecting with others and expressing ourselves. And one of the ways that spoken language can be more creativeContinue reading “Episode 114 Word Play and Pun’d-It, with Josh Daly”
Episode 113 Always Say Yes to a Language: Michele Aoki & Veronica Trapani
Bring a language forward. We want that language to be something that we recognize. Human language is uniquely suited to creating possibilities. Those possibilities create opportunties for individuals to discover their deepest identities, to express their most important thoughts, to make their most important connections with other people, and to find their place and purposeContinue reading “Episode 113 Always Say Yes to a Language: Michele Aoki & Veronica Trapani”
Episode 112 Honing Our Craft: Florencia Henshaw & Kim Potowski
“We learn about fundamentals. Then as we recognize that society changes, we start questioning as we face new challenges. We need to start having other conversations.” Ponder for a moment the word “craft.” A world of mass-manufactured goods, one-use items, disposables, low-low-low prices, divided attention, and Instagram glamour… Where does craft fit in? The wordContinue reading “Episode 112 Honing Our Craft: Florencia Henshaw & Kim Potowski”
Episode 111 Language and the Art of Motorcycles: Michelle Olah
“It’s a long journey. It’s a long trip. And it’s getting there and getting back. …We bought something because the new context called for it. And that’s okay. You need to be adaptable, you need to be flexible. That was a super easy decision to make, because we knew what our plan was. So whenContinue reading “Episode 111 Language and the Art of Motorcycles: Michelle Olah”
Episode 106 Language, Self-Reflection, Growth: Thomas Sauer
Join us for Episode 106 of Its About Language, where Thomas Sauer of PEARLL shares insights with host Norah Jones on the importance of self-reflection for personal growth and enhanced well-being.
Sauer’s work at the National Foreign Language Center focuses on reflection in professional development, but his conversation with Jones demonstrates how to apply this practice in the lives of all human beings, adults and children alike.
More insights on the topics of professional growth, Teacher Effectiveness for Language Learning (TELL), Thomas Sauer’s work, and using Norah Jones’s work with natural language behaviors to support reflection and growth can all be found at Jones’s website, http://www.fluency.consulting .
Episode 105 Making Connections, Making a Difference: Kathy Shelton & ACTFL
Join us on a transformative journey of language connection and empowerment, regardless of your role or work in life. This episode serves as an inspiring call to make meaningful connections and discover opportunities for positive impact. By seeking and sharing stories like these, you build a ladder to lift you out of despair, illuminating your path to your unique role to play in the world.
Episode 104 – Leaping Past Language Barriers – Jessica Haxhi
This episode brings Norah & Jessica Haxhi (New Haven, CT) together to discuss how language is more than words. It’s a tool that can be used to leap over barriers: AI, COVID separation, environmental & social and other pressing contemporary needs.
Episode 103 – A Wider Vision of the World – Lori LeVar Pierce
Episode 103 is an energetic and insightful conversation with Lori LeVar Pierce. A Wider Vision of the World.
Take a moment – take the time – to sit with your own life experiences and to “watch your language go by.” Our language and our experiences – our culture, both small and large – are what make us uniquely human.
Episode 102 – Language Saves Lives
Language is humanity’s survival tool. It fosters deep connections between people. Let’s look at our institutions, families, and communities and ask ourselves: “How can we ensure that everyone understands languages, how to listen, and how to speak, so that they can express their deepest humanity and connect with others?” Language saves lives. Let’s work together to create a better future for all.
Introducing Brenda Buckley (Episode 100)
“Be with them, be a ‘we’ not a ‘I’, or ‘you’.” Brenda Buckley Brenda Buckley is an accomplished educator with over 15 years of experiencein urban education. She specializes in teaching American Sign Language andhas a passion for inspiring and empowering students from underprivilegedbackgrounds. Buckley earned her Bachelor’s degree in American Sign Language and VisualArtsContinue reading “Introducing Brenda Buckley (Episode 100)”
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 88 – Inviting you to reflect with Amanda Seewald, JNCL Executive Director
Episode 88 Inviting you to Reflect with Amanda Seewald, JNCL Executive Director. Amanda provides insight into voices coming together to make a difference. “Language is human, we are human, and it is essential in order for us to do work, live, and do anything with other humans.”
Episode 84 – A Conversation with Thomas and Collier on Dual Language Realities
Episode 84 a conversation with Drs. Collier & Thomas. Internationally known for their research on long-term school effectiveness for linguistically and culturally diverse students.
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Episode 83 – You are Invited to… Succeed as an Adult Language Learner
Today on the podcast Norah Jones is speaking with Elizabeth Mack. Tune in for Episode 83: “You are Invited to… Succeed as an Adult Language Learner.” As an adult language learner, you can find information, opportunities, and encouragement and information in many different places, starting here on my website and listening to this episode.
Episode 82 – You Are Invited to… Prove Your Language Skills.
Language skills are a tool for life, enabling individuals to access opportunities and connect with people around the world. The languages you speak influence what jobs you might hold, where you choose to work, or even whom you meet while traveling abroad. You’re invited to listen and download Episode 82; where Norah Jones speaks with Linda Egnatz (Executive Direct of the Global Seal) about Proving Your Language Skills.
Episode 81 – You Are Invited to… Celebrate Your Heritage.
When the world is changing, it can be hard to find your way. But what if you could follow your past and future simultaneously? What if you could see where you came from and where you’re going at the same time?
That’s exactly what Norah Jones and guest Joy Peyton discuss in episode 81 of It’s About Language. In this episode, they talk about heritage languages in the US and around the world, how people of all ages find their path to language and identity, and how that can inspire us.
Episode 80 – Your Invitation to: Go Beyond Borders
Norah Jones and guest Limeteze Pierre-Gilles share the language-centered rescue and community leadership work in Haiti of the non-profit organization Beyond Borders.
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.
Introducing Jenniffer Whyte (Episode 78)
Meet Jenniffer Whyte, award-wining language educator and host of podcast “Afro-Latina Teacher in the Rural South.”