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.

E126 Humans, Language,Technology: a conversation with Noemí Rodríguez

We learned a lot after the pandemic: how important it is to be face-to-face and humans need each other. Folks tell me AI is going to replace us. I beg to differ. We as human beings are powerful and can use this intelligence to help us. Noemí Rodríguez I love this conversation with language educationContinueContinue reading “E126 Humans, Language,Technology: a conversation with Noemí Rodríguez”

E125 Taking Proficiency Seriously, with Paul Sandrock

Proficiency comes down very simply to what someone can do with the language. It’s not what you know about the language, it’s what you can do with the language. As a learner I need to take it within me on a playground, in in the community, doing video games with kids around the world… PaulContinueContinue reading “E125 Taking Proficiency Seriously, with Paul Sandrock”

E124 Language Warriors – A Conversation with Brandon Locke

Language is everywhere. We have to make it right for our own community and make it meaningful for our own community, but always keep that larger picture out there. Opening eyes to the world is the best thing that we can give our students. Brandon Locke Qeyaakaq. “Language Warrior.” The photo shows Brandon, initially unawareContinueContinue reading “E124 Language Warriors – A Conversation with Brandon Locke”

E123 LAMA Leadership: A Conversation with Tal Gale

LAMA means “Why?” Clarity on why we are having a conversation to educate and develop leaders allows us to look at language intentionally, to ask questions about meaning, and to explore with our participants, who, in turn, will also be our teachers. Tal Gale Human language gives us the gift of Why. Without language, organismsContinueContinue reading “E123 LAMA Leadership: A Conversation with Tal Gale”

Episode 122 Your Language Niche: A Conversation with Gregory Nedved

I would say you can do a lot with languages–things you wouldn’t expect–and that is what I have tried to do in my life. It’s not simply reading, writing, speaking and listening. You find a niche that works for you. You find the thing you like, where you think you have a future, and youContinueContinue reading “Episode 122 Your Language Niche: A Conversation with Gregory Nedved”

Episode 121 Lorie Roule: Advocating for Sustainable Language Programs

Language is very important to bring people together. Communication can bring peace. If we can communicate together in a caring and loving way, there will be peace in the world. Lorie Roule’s mother, from an interview We tend to be, as a country, short-sighted about language. A problem goes away and the attention goes away,ContinueContinue reading “Episode 121 Lorie Roule: Advocating for Sustainable Language Programs”

Episode 120 The Pulsera Project : Chris Howell

We work anywhere where we see issues or anywhere where we think that we can make a connection and work with people who are really capable. They’re extremely inspiring people. It’s the idea of connecting students with artists. Christopher Howell In a world where cultural divisions often seem insurmountable, a remarkable initiative known as theContinueContinue reading “Episode 120 The Pulsera Project : Chris Howell”

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 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.