The Multiliterate Mind

From artificial intelligence and multilingualism to proficiency, cultural literacy, student engagement, and human connection, Liza and Marnina explore how conversations with educators and thought leaders from around the world are changing the way they think about teaching and learning. They discuss why multilingualism should be viewed as an asset rather than a deficit, how students' home languages...

Maria shares her own journey as a heritage speaker of Spanish, from being born in Cuba and moving through Spain before arriving in the United States at age 11, to eventually becoming one of the leading voices in heritage language education. Together, they explore why identity sits at the center of heritage language learning and why educators should focus not only on what learners lack, but on the...

Brandee shares nearly 30 years of experience in language education, including work in dual language immersion, German instruction, curriculum development, assessment, professional learning, and proficiency-based teaching. Together, they explore why proficiency can serve as a unifying goal across different language programs and why the intermediate stage of language learning deserves more intention...

Cameron Durr, Destiny Williams, and Kaylin Dalton reflect on how learning Spanish from kindergarten through high school shaped their confidence, academic success, career opportunities, cultural awareness, and global perspective. Together, they discuss: The power of language immersion Why culture matters as much as vocabulary Using Spanish in healthcare and everyday life Studying abroad in Mexico a...

Allen shares how educators can help students develop prompt-writing skills, critical discernment, and responsible AI use while maintaining ownership of their learning. Topics include: AI literacy in education Critical discernment and evaluating AI responses Ethical AI use in language classrooms Prompt engineering for students Teaching writing with AI Human intelligence vs. machine intelligence AI'...

Noemí shares how she uses tools like ChatGPT, NotebookLM, Diffit, Gemini, and Speakology AI to support multilingual learners, create leveled texts, provide comprehensible input, build vocabulary, generate multimodal learning experiences, and help students engage more deeply with language and culture. The conversation explores how AI can enhance learning without replacing the human experience. Noem...

With more than 30 years of experience in language education and technology integration, Lauren shares her perspective on how emerging tools, including artificial intelligence, can support language proficiency, multiliteracy, intercultural communication, and student engagement. Lauren reflects on her early experiences living in Spain, her work as an educator and technology innovator, and how tools...

Together, they discuss the evolution of proficiency-based teaching, the impact of the pandemic on language education, the role of AI and educational technology, and why communication remains at the heart of language learning. The conversation explores: Proficiency-based language instruction Student-centered learning AI and technology in education Equity and access in schools Assessment and grading...

Robyn shares her personal journey growing up Deaf in a hearing family, learning language through visual communication, and becoming an educator and advocate for Deaf learners. Together, the group discusses how ASL challenges traditional assumptions about language and literacy while examining the opportunities and limitations of artificial intelligence in supporting communication and accessibility....

This conversation explores the future of language learning, multiliteracies, bilingual education, and global communication in an AI-driven world. Dr. Banfi shares her international perspective on how language education has changed over time, from traditional grammar-based instruction to digital learning, gaming, social media, online communities, AI translation tools, and multilingual communication...

This episode also dives into multiliteracies, authentic resources, literacy development, student engagement, teacher mindset shifts, and the role educational systems play in slowing meaningful change. Whether you are a language teacher, school leader, multilingual educator, or someone passionate about literacy and communication, this conversation offers practical insight and powerful perspective o...

Dr. Elsaiary shares insights from her work in Arabic immersion education, emphasizing the role of culture, identity, and project-based learning in developing true language proficiency. The episode also examines how AI tools like ChatGPT can support learning as thought partners, while reinforcing the need for students to ask better questions and think independently. Rolla Elsaiary is an Assistant P...

In this episode of The Multiliterate Mind , Dr. Liza Trejo and Marnina Falk Colman explore language proficiency, multiliteracy, and literacy development in modern education. They introduce the concept of proficiency-first multiliteracies , a framework designed to help educators better understand how students acquire language and develop reading and writing skills across multiple languages. The dis...

In this episode of The Multiliterate Mind , hosts explore the future of language learning with guests Paul Spence and Jonathan White , focusing on multiliteracy, language proficiency, and the impact of AI in education. This conversation dives into how language education is shifting beyond traditional methods toward real-world application, cultural literacy, and digital engagement. Topics include m...

Dr. Sullivan begins by reflecting on her own language acquisition story. After moving from Cuba to the United States as a child, she learned English not through memorization drills but through immersion in stories, television, and authentic language input. That experience eventually became the foundation of her teaching philosophy. Instead of focusing solely on grammar-based instruction, she empha...

We unpack what “multiliteracies” really means today: literacy as more than reading and writing, and instead a collection of social practices that help learners interpret and create meaning across modes like print, visuals, sound, gesture, space, and digital media. We talk about how teachers can lower barriers for learners by using multimodal texts like picture books, graphic novels, and storytelli...

Ryan shares how he first hears about FILL through teacher conferences and immediately recognizes its potential for expanding language access. In his rural Delaware district, students traditionally only have Spanish, but they consistently ask for more options. When he connects with Tom in 2023, the combination of proficiency-based learning and emerging AI tools clicks into place, shaping both his c...

We welcome David Bong, CEO and Co-Founder of Avant Language, and we celebrate Avant’s 25th anniversary with a toast. We begin with David’s personal language journey. He shares that language did not feel relevant in high school, but college changes everything when he becomes fascinated with Japan during the Vietnam War era. Living in Japan for roughly a decade and spending time in Hong Kong, he exp...

Marnina Falk Colman and Dr. Liza Trejo explore the evolving definition of literacy in a world influenced by AI and global communication. They introduce the Proficiency First Multiliteracies framework, emphasizing the importance of proficiency in language education. Be sure to follow and tag Avant, The Language Proficiency Company on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube!   A PJT Ventures Prod...