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”
Tag Archives: inclusion
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.”
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.”
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”
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.
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 toContinueContinue 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 creativeContinueContinue 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 purposeContinueContinue 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 wordContinueContinue 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 whenContinueContinue reading “Episode 111 Language and the Art of Motorcycles: Michelle Olah”
Episode 110 United by Language Family : Terri Marlow
“We are a family, not biological family, but a family united by language.” Do we need data to love our family? We can read much research about how a family unit – no matter how it may be constituted – is of critical importance to human well-being. But if we do not experience it, itContinueContinue reading “Episode 110 United by Language Family : Terri Marlow”
Episode 109 Bringing Perspectives Together : Enrique Moras
“Complexity makes life more interesting. Stories need to evoke these complexities, to generate questions. We need questions more than answers.” What journey are YOU on? What questions are you creating, the language of which can create more openings to understanding, connections, and possibilities than “answers” ever can? What talent in yourself are you cultivating? HowContinueContinue reading “Episode 109 Bringing Perspectives Together : Enrique Moras”
Episode 108: Light a Fire
What’s your spark? How do you speak about your identity, your purpose, your gifts? Use your language to breathe life into your unique ember, and join with others to light a fire to warm the world. Humanity and hope: it’s about language.
Episode 107 For You and With You: Megan Diercks
It’s About Language | Episode 107 | For You and With You: Megan Dierks
Norah Jones speaks with Megan Diercks of the AATF about the power of language to transform lives young and old, and to develop confidence, leadership, and connections in our work and world. We are stronger when we are working together. The AATF networks with other organizations to strengthen the visibility of French in the world, bringing people together to reinforce the importance of French and the importance of learning and using French in our lives and in the world.
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.
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)”
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 VisualArtsContinueContinue 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!